Reflections on "Boyz 'N The Hood" by Thanh Diep Truong
As some might have criticized, the film Boyz n The Hood clearly shows the sense of nihilism in black youth culture. I strongly disagree with that. I think the movie does not show any sense of nihilism. The movie gives the audience a sense of how important family, friendship, future are. There are purpose and values that the characters in the movie posses. It shows how crucial it is for the younger generation to have role model, just like Tre has his father as his guidance, teaching him self-discipline and moral of life. I believe that the death of Ricky and Doughboy doesn't make their lives meaningless. Ricky lived his life full of value and ambitions in my opinion. His purpose is to get to college, have a career, raise own family and get out of the mist, of trouble, of shooting and killing. He does have values and moral. It's just too bad that he got killed over some mistakes that his brother made. I think he lived his short life well enough, with love and ambitions. On the other hand, Doughboy was quite different from Ricky. He didn't really have a purpose in mind or any ambitions whatsoever. He was wasting his time drinking, partying and doing nothing. However, I don't see his life as being nihilism. He knows to love his friends and his family, even though most of the time he doesn't act and talk like he does. I wouldn't call his life nihilism, but a mistake. He makes mistakes, big ones. I think the phrase "if only" plays a big part in Doughboy's life and characteristics. If only he didn't get drunk all day, if only he didn't show off his gun on that night with the other gang, if only he didn't fight with Ricky, if only he didn't get revenge for Ricky...if only...The whole thing was a huge mistake. He is a man with love for his brother, for his family, it's just that he doesn't show it well and doesn't do any helpful thing for them. I really believe the actions of the characters refute the charge of nihilism.
At the end of the film, when Tre sees Ricky got shot, and got really angry about the incident. It was all against what his father had taught him all his life. He was supposed to stay out of trouble and he would be okay. Seeing his friend Ricky, a good person, a future college student, got shot for not doing anything wrong, made him question whether what he was taught is true. Ricky didn't do anything wrong, didn't start any fight with anyone, then why did he get killed???? I think ultimately, I would have done what Ricky did. I would forget all the disciplines I was taught for all my life and get revenge. I admire Tre for realizing his mistake before committing it. It was a good decision not to go along and get revenge for Ricky. Violence does turn out to become a cycle. Someone has to think right and stops the cycle, otherwise violence can't ever be stopped.