crash

last night linc & i watched that move "crash". wow, that is one racially charged movie! some of it was a bit extreme, at least for me, but some of it kinda hit close to home. one character was a hispanic man about 25 or so, with a shaved head and tattoos. he was fixing a lock for a rich white woman and overheard her complaining to her rich white husband that this "gangbanger" was just going to sell their keys to his "homies". the hispanic man just looks at her with disgust. then he goes home to his little girl where he tells her that there are no monsters in her closet and that no bullets can get them in their new home because they left that bad neighborhood. then he convinces her that he is wearing an impenetrable invisible cloak that he will give to her and she will always be safe. it was just a sweet interaction between a father and his daughter. it makes you think - that that person who looks like they are up to no good, may just be a man/woman looking out for their family. we can't just racially stereotype and assume because he has a shaved head and has tattoos that he is going to hurt you in some way. but then again we always need to keep our guard up so we won't be taken advantage of.

my two older brothers - part hispanic males in their 20's, both at one point have had their heads shaved. one brother has piercings and wears the dickie pants and stuff. but neither of them were ever in a gang. vincent has his head shaved because he is in the military. they both are the sweetest guys in the world and would never hurt anyone.

i myself have never really associated myself with any race. my dad is mexican and my mom is german-irish. i just think of myself as american. my dad's parents both died when i was young, too young to ask them questions about their heritage. i sorta know my mom's side but most people just consider white white and don't differentiate the fact that they all have their own rich histories and cultures.

i will admit that sometimes i do judge people by the cultural stereotypes. i want to blame the media and the way people are portrayed but it is my own fault. i have the power of choice. i can make up my mind for myself. i just need to remember that everyone is a human being and we all can choose the path we want and shouldn't jump to conclusions.

anyway, i totally recommend "crash". it can be a bit depressing at times, but it really makes you think.