Carmen blog #4 (Boyz in the Hood)

The movie, Boyz n the Hood masculinity is portrayed as being physically strong and being able to defend oneself against others, even to the death. This definition of masculinity is true in many other contexts, but particularly in that of the "ghetto." Here there is constant violence and in order to survive one must at all times be able to defend themselves. There are gun shootings, fights, and robberies all the time "on the streets." In order to be masculine, and respected by others in the community, men are expected to be strong and stand up for themselves. This is the idea of masculinity that is promoted in these areas because of their particular circumstances, but this also promotes danger and violence further. While these men are viewed as strong and masculine in the community, they are also seen as dangerous, within the community and even more so by those outside the communities. Because they are expected to defend themselves they sometimes do so mora than is necessary, frequently to the point of killing someone else or getting themselves killed. Expecations are placed on these men because of where they live, but they are also based on their ethnicity. African-American men are expected, even more than white men, to be physically larger and stronger, more violent, and to stand their ground. They appear to be rougher and more violent. The African-American men portrayed in the movie follow these stereotypes, even though Tre and Furious are not characteristically as violent as the others they are still tempted to be.

The women in the film are not depicted as main characters in the film, making them appear passive, but their personalities are anything but that. The woman are portrayed as strong, spunky, and energetic. They are vocal about themselves and their opinions. Though the men shrug them off when they voice themselves. The women's energy and personalities are portrayed as a little crazy and over dramatic. In other films women are passive and this not respected, but in this one they are not; they are vocal. However, this non passivity is depicted as crazy and excessive. Women can do nothing right, according to the media. Either they are stupid for being passive or crazy for being vocal.

The characters who appear to be the "outsiders within" are Tre and his father Furious. Though they live in the ghetto and are still seen as masculine because they are strong and protective, they are seen as "too good" or upper-class by the rest of the community members because they are educated, non-violent, not involved in petty crimes, and responsible. They try to raise themselves out of the stereotypes of African-American people living in ghetto's.