Crash

This week in class we saw the renowned movie, Crash.
This was my second time watching this movie, but I was able to learn a lot.
When I first watched this movie with my family, I wasn't focusing on race (and of course I didn't take sociology yet). All I realized was mistreatment and the thrill of the characters' intertwined lives.

While watching this movie for the second time, I was really able to focus on race. The stereotypes jumped out at me more. Also, since I knew what was going to happen, I was able to detect more clues.

I loved this movie because everyone's racial experiences seems so extreme, but it does happen. and sometimes it's even worse. Today we watched an Opera show with the cast sharing their own experiences. Their lives have all been touched because of racism at one point. They stressed that race is a problem we must divide and conquer. That it'll take a while to really eliminate it (if it ever can be eliminated),  but it must start with our own mindful actions.

In class we discussed if the ending was appropriate or not. I thought it was very appropriate. The fact that racism is a continuing cycle. That although we realize our mistakes, we may repeat it. Or sometimes it doesn't end up happy;it can result in a death or a murder. I loved how they had a physical crash at the very end of the movie. But they went a step further by showing that people who have been a victim of racism, still become racist. even though they know how it feels to be discriminated or stereotyped. I think that point is very much real. That when someone is getting stereotyped they are hurt and aghast. But, they don't notice it (or don't care) when they do the same to others.

This had me thinking of how mindful I must be. That I shouldn't perpetuate certain stereotypes (even if it's against my own race).

Actually, I have my own "crash"-like moment. Although it's not as severe, it proves how implicit racism is very present. Last year, I went in for grammar help to my english teacher. Now, english has always been my favorite subject and I know I'm good at it. Math has always been my weakest. I was in sophomore accelerated which proved my skill. However, despite me being in a higher level class, my teacher asked me "So when did you come here?" I was born here.
Implicit Racism. It hurt a lot.

It starts with ourselves. We can't expect to change racism when we ourselves aren't mindful and are spreading racism. Be mindful and extra careful.