Racial differences have played a role in our society since it’s founding. Now with the help of media, these difference become even more evident, especially with movies such as “Requiem for a Dream.” This paper will discuss how this film depicts racial difference through drug use, and how Hirschi’s control theory ties in with the film as well.
In “Requiem for a Dream”, there are four major characters, three of which are white, and one black. The film bluntly depicts the behavior of the black male as one who is always doing drugs, living in a low class environment, and acts very uneducated. His roommate however, acts calmer and a little more educated. Though the media seems to give African Americans this stigmitization, we know that not every African American behaves in this manner.
Aside from the behavior variation thats depicted in this film, we also look at the drug use. The drugs that are typically registered with blacks is crack and heroin. The film does as good job at keeping that true. On the other hand, it’s interesting that the film shows the roommate and his girlfriend, who are white, also involved with the crack/cocaine instead of marijuana, which seems to be the norm for whites. This film detracts societys attention away from normalcy.
We can’t blame media alone. According to the text “The Sociology of Drug Use”, the relations between blacks and crack/heroin has history basis. It began as a professional use, and as centuries turned, it was later developed into what it is today – illicit. “The identification of blacks as primary users of cocaine only exacerbated this concern, leading to higly sensationalized stereotypes regarding this drug.” (The Sociology of, 181).
Transitioning from racial differences, we now look at how Hirschi’s control theory correlates with the film. The theory involves four main parts; attachment,commitment, involvement, and belief. The attachment element holds true to the film as the two roommates and the girlfriend all...