To
what extent does 'Straight Outta Compton' represent black people negatively and
does it encourage violence?
This
critical investigation will focus deeply on the representations
and influence of black people in film, news and television in
general. This essay will also look further into the cause and root of black
stereotypes and how they have developed or changed over time. Straight Outta’
Compton (SOC) is the main text I will be referring to during the course of this
investigation. SOC is a 2015 American biographical drama film based on one of
the most influential and memorable hip-hop groups of all time (N.W.A). The film
was released on August 14, 2015, and has been a major success grossing over
$200million worldwide. “You can’t come down here and harass my clients because
they’re black!” This is a quote by Jerry Heller in the film which sums up the
message that N.W.A attempts to get across about police brutality through their
aggressive music. The quote is very direct and seems to conclude life in the
1980’s for an African American man in terms of getting harassed and
interrogated by the police simply because of their skin colour. On August 27, 2015, Straight Outta Compton became the highest grossing music
biopic of all-time in the United States with $120.9 million; the success of SOC
instantly challenges the stereotype and supports the fact that black males are
capable of success.
