Boyz 'N The Hood/ Kyle Cross
Kitwana discusses how nihilism “dominates� films such as Boyz ‘N The Hood, but I feel that among all the chaos and hopelessness that is depicted in the film there is underlying motives that would not be considered nihilistic. If Boyz ‘N The Hood was truly nihilistic, then there would be absolutely no morals or values present. Morals, values and beliefs vary from society to society and in this crime stricken neighborhood, which at times, is deduced to basic survival instincts, we see how the ethics change (Kitwana 124). One might claim that the young characters portrayed in the film have no ethics, but I would argue that they have a very strong code of ethics, regardless of how unethical our society would perceive them. One example would be when Doughboy avenges his brother’s death. I believe it was the moral obligation he had to fulfill, this eye for an eye mentality that was present in the youth culture of the film. The police weren’t about to do anything about it, so it was the only way he thought justice could be served. Some truly ethical moments in the film include moments such as, Tre saving the infant from being hit by the oncoming car or Doughboy and Ricky’s mother allowing them to continue living with in her home regardless of their situation which acknowledged the importance of family. There is definitely ethics present throughout the film and therefore I believe this negates Kitwana’s claim that nihilism dominates this film.