- Published: December 8, 2021
- Updated: December 8, 2021
- University / College: Georgetown University
- Level: Intermediate School
- Language: English
- Downloads: 3
The fact, that he was brave enough to fight with the guy, who tried to steal his car, became the evidence of the inner change, which had happened to Cameron.
At the same time, it should be noted, that the characters put their cultural identity not only in their group, but they also want to be accepted and acknowledged in all cultural groups. On the other hand, the characters, who are supposed negative, as Ryan (the policemen, who have sexually assaulted Christine, Cameron’s wife) or the attorney’s wife Jean, being extremely impatient towards any other race except her own, also try to put themselves forward not only in their cultural group but in others as well. Ryan not only wants to be the best among his co-workers, who are of the Caucasian race, he also wants to show his superiority over other races, and thus make them understand his significance in terms of all races.
The issue of cultural identity is shown to be manipulated through the scene in the attorney’s office. It is used to make detective Graham look at the person he is trying to protect (it is important, that the person is white) from the black point of view. He is told about the higher rates of criminality among black people, as well as about their problematic lives. At the same time, Graham has almost become the ‘pawn’ in attorney’s game, if it is possible to say. The attorney needed a black person to promote his position. Graham is told he was planned to be appointed to the higher position. His cultural identity here becomes the issue of politics for the district attorney, who dreams about making political career and making Graham his close assistant will persuade people in his multicultural attitudes.
Ryan’s colleague, Hanson, is depicted by Haggis as a multicultural person, but at the same time, his multiculturalism leads him to murder a black boy. I suppose that Hanson is multicultural, as his actions in terms of re-assignment of his partner Ryan, his active role in defending Cameron in the situation with the police, telling officers that Cameron was his friend, show his desire to eliminate any racism in his life. Though stereotypes prevail over him and become the reason for the murder.
In fact, the movie is filled with different stereotypes, starting with the fact, that Persian family is taken for the Arab one, as in real life there is seen no difference between these two nationalities, through the aggressiveness of the two young black boys, stealing cars, finishing with Ryan’s conflict with the black doctor, telling her, that there should have been better white doctors for her vacancy.
The film ‘Crash’ was designed to depict the stereotypes, which exist in the present society in terms of racism. The blacks are depicted, seeing an enemy in every white person in the street, while white people are displayed through the prism of prejudice towards all blacks.
At the same time, Haggis has stepped away from stereotypes, making us see, how people change their attitudes and opinions, the brightest scene of this change being the one with Ryan saving Christine in the car accident.
Them movie has once again shown the relevance of the cultural identity’ issue in the present society.