Editorial December 9, 1991 Issue

Brotherhood builds neighborhood

Ann Kenrick

Several films released this year, Hangin' with the Home-boys, Straight Out of Brooklyn, and Boyz N the Hood, all works of minority filmmakers, have set out to expose inner-city violence and attitudes fostered by gang activity and racial bigotry.

Boyz N the Hood (rated R for language, violence, and sensuality) tells the poignant story of a young African-American and his friends as they struggle to grow up in the tough South Central district of Los Angeles. Staying alive in this neighborhood, where drug dealing, joblessness, and shootings are common, is a day-to-day challenge.

At the heart of the story is the relationship between a father and his son Tre. The father, who was himself a teenager when he became a dad, struggles to teach his son responsibility, self-worth, and pride in his culture. We care about this teenager as he grows into adulthood. We witness the tough moral choices he has to make daily to stay clear of corruption. His family chooses hard work and dignity over drug dealing and easy money.

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