Racism in the Crash - Essay Example

To start with, Jean Cabot is racist and prejudiced against African Americans and Latinos alike: seeing two African-Americans she becomes worried while Latino locksmith is perceived by her as a criminal. Officer Ryan expresses hatred and disdain for African-Americans, such as when he tells Shaniqua that she took a place that could belong to more competent and smart people. The owner of a gun store throws ethnic unfair accusations at Farhad.  In addition, a young African American man Anthony is prejudiced against white people and beliefs that society is unfavorable for people like he is. Subsequently, one can see that racism is present in diverse people: those who are well off, immigrants, politicians, law enforcement, and others. Although being conscious and angry about stereotypes that white people may have about them, Anthony and Peter confirm them and deliberately behave as stereotypes. They are furious realizing that Jean treats these potential criminals, but steals her car. Similarly, Anthony is angry with a waitress who did not offer them a cup of coffee assuming that they would not pay her, thereof, they confirm the stereotype and leave her no money. 

Among protagonists should be mentioned, officer Ryan. He is prejudiced against African Americans, believing that most of them are criminals, and considers Caucasians more intelligent. He explains that his father lost a job because of a preference being given to an African American manager. At the same time, Ryan is a caring and attentive son and shows bravery in saving Christine after the car accident. Also, throughout the film Jean’s attitude is highly prejudiced: she hires minorities, but neither trusts them nor respects them. She expresses her white privilege and behaves like a stereotypical well-off woman who does not work. An interesting case makes Anthony since he is an example of reversed racism – a prejudiced belief that all white people are racists.

In contrast to the prevailing majority of characters in the film, some of them are free of prejudice. Here belong Danie, a Latino locksmith who never attributed any negative ethnic connotations to other people; Officer Hanson – shows tolerance and does not want to work with Ryan after learning that he is a racist. In addition, it is not clear whether Rick Cabot is prejudiced as he takes care of his political career and tries to stay racially sensitive.

The theme of redemption is expressed through the depiction of several characters. Firstly, at the beginning of the movie Anthony says that he will never hurt a black person, but he does not care about other people. Yet, at the end of the movie, he saves a group of Asian people from slavery, thereof, starting to view them from a different perspective. Secondly, Jean also changes her opinion about Latino people after realizing that Maria is a nice and helpful person, unlike her other acquaintances. Thirdly, I think that Cameron, a TV director, should also be included in this list as a person who tolerated racism, took part in its propaganda while making a show, and feared to say a word against it. Later, however, he refuses to obey and, seemingly, finds himself seeing street boys near the fire.