There are suggestions of institutional factors influencing attitudes and behaviors. The pressures on the television producer to create racially stereotyped programming, based on the producers ideas (and presumably on audience or sponsor preferences), the ability to buy a hand gun so easily, the police policy of dealing with racist cops, the politicians concerned with their image over right and wrong (the killing of the crooked cop that was covered up). Plus I think there are positive aspects of the film; *some* people learned from what they experienced. I think you have to show students that this movie is an example of a very American way of looking at social problems - the idea that if everyone just had enough love in their hearts all problems could be solved. This belief can be made part of the discussion.

Pat

Patricia B. Christian
Sociology, Anthropology & Criminal Justice
Canisius College
2001 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14208
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
office 716-888-2878
fax 716-888-3793


When I gave food to the poor, they called me a saint. When I asked why the poor have no food, they called me a communist. 
- Dom Helder Camara

It ain't no sin to be glad you're alive.
- Bruce Springsteen



---- Original message ----
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 12:26:03 -0500
From: "Rowell, Katherine" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: TEACHSOC: Re: CRASH!
To: "Sister Edith Bogue" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <[email protected]>

>
>While students like CRASH and it is interesting to use for discussion
>purposes.. The film fails to address the problems of institutional
>racism and larger structural issues.. Students walk way using the film
>to suggest that everyone is a racist for example.... I would probably
>not use the whole film but perhaps excerpts to discuss stereotypical
>images.
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On
>Behalf Of Sister Edith Bogue
>Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2006 12:24 PM
>To: [email protected]
>Subject: TEACHSOC: Re: CRASH!
>
>
>CRASH was used as the "common text" for our first year students this
>year. Many of them seemed to like it, and they said that it gave them
>issues to talk about.
>
>My experience differed. I found the film lacking in two important ways.
>First, it seemed to deal in cliche and stereotyped characeters - the
>hardworking Arab shop owner, the brutal cop with a sick parent, etc.
> Second, it is an unrelentingly negative film. While I'm all for
>highlighting social problems, some of my students often ask, "is
>sociology always depressing?" or "why do you only show us how bad things
>are, and not how people do anything to change them?"
>
>I think those are valid questions from students, and prefer to show
>films in which the problems are visible but so are the opportunities for
>social action.
>
>
>
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
>"A culture without oppotunities to be a star lacks meaning."
> from Applying Sociology, by DuBois and Wright
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
> Sister Edith Bogue, Ph.D. / Dept. of Sociology
> College of St. Scholastica / Duluth MN 55811-4199
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
>
>>>> "John Eby" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 01/04/06 10:23 AM >>>
>
>I have not seen the film CRASH, but many students from my Race,
>Ethnicity and Gender class this fall highly recommended it to me and for
>the class in the future. So, from students who should have some
>sensitivity to the issues and some analytic skills to understand them,
>CRASH gets a good review.
>
>John Eby
>Messiah College
>[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
>
>I vaguely remember a discussion several months ago about the film Crash
>being used in courses to illustrate issues of race and stereotypes
>(among other issues). I'm considering using this film in a Perspectives
>on Justice class and was wondering if anyone has specific ideas about
>incorporation, follow-up, etc. If you respond privately, I'll compile
>responses and post to the list.
>Much appreciated,
>~Lisa
>
>**********
>Lisa Anne Zilney, Ph.D.
>Assistant Professor
>Montclair State University
>Sociology & Justice Studies
>Dickson Hall 314
>Upper Montclair, NJ, 07043
>Office: 973-655-7225
>Fax: 973-655-5389
>
>The greatness of a nation and its moral progress, can be judged by the
>way its animals are treated.
>---Mahatma Gandhi
>
>Live as if you were to die tomorrow,
>Learn as if you were to live forever.
>---Mahatma Gandhi
>
>
>
>

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