American Politics & Pop Culture

“Boyz ‘N The Hood” was, safe to say, different than any movie I have ever seen. It disturbed me to think about the things in this film happening in real life, yet we have learned the plot of Boyz is not all that far from the truth when it comes to Los Angeles and other large cities, in the 80’s and beyond. For example, the nihilistic attitudes of black youth culture is one aspect of popular discussion that was portrayed well by some characters in this film, especially the men that shot Ricky to death. Also, as Kitwana remarks, “you also see a different strain of [nihilism] in Doughboy’s worldview. He’s not so much a rebel without a cause as he is doing what he feels he’s got to do so survive.” That is, sometime Doughboy dishes out the typical nihilistic actions like the stereotypical black youth, but he always seems to know the cost of things in the back of his head, and is willing to accept whatever it is. Tre, on the other hand, is the antithesis of nihilism in this film, a product of his caring father and positive upbringing. Overall, there are some characters that exhibit nihilistic qualities as they are expected, but also a few who refute such behaviors and attitudes.

In the end of the film, we truly see how, as James Nadell puts it, “[t]he raw human tragedy and triumph depicted by Singleton sears and energizes the consciousness of the viewer.” Ricky’s death scene is difficult to watch, and we can feel the hatred for his killers emanating from the eyes of Tre and Doughboy. Doughboy is determined to avenge his brother’s death, as is Tre at first, but then we see the distinction between these two characters when Tre decides not to go along. The vulnerability of the situation feeds Doughboy’s nihilistic attitude, which is why he goes through with murdering his brother’s killer, to whom Ricky’s life was meaningless. It is here where perhaps the “cycle of violence” in this community is slightly better understood to be somewhat of a basic means of survival, unfortunately.