-
Essay / Dope: Defying Stereotypes and Striving for Success
Directed by Rick Famuyiwa, the lives of three teenage friends living in an unfavorable neighborhood are explored as they strive for a better future. The film challenges stereotypes by portraying its main character, Malcolm, and his friends Diggy and Jib as intelligent, defiant non-white students whose aspirations extend beyond their current circumstances. Malcolm dreams of attending Harvard and achieving success in his future career. However, his dreams are threatened when he discovers drugs in his backpack after attending a birthday party. The film encourages viewers to think about the choices individuals make and the potential consequences of those choices. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay The film begins by defining the word "dope," which has several meanings, including stupid person, drugs, and something cool. This sets the stage for the range of emotions that will be evoked throughout the film. Malcolm, a shy, high-achieving student, prepares for his Harvard application and presents his essay on Ice Cube's "Today Was a Good Day" to his school counselor. The advisor suggests he write something more personal, but Malcolm insists on keeping his creative work. As the film progresses, viewers witness Malcolm's growth and his changing outlook on life and the application process. Malcolm and his friends face ridicule and humiliation at their predominantly black high school in Inglewood, California. Malcolm falls for a girl named Nakia, but she dates Dom, a street gangster and drug dealer. Dom invites Malcolm to his birthday party, and despite the risks involved, Malcolm accepts in order to see Nakia again. However, the party ends in chaos, with Dom being arrested and Malcolm discovering drugs, a gun and a phone in his backpack the next day. From that moment on, Malcolm and his friends are determined to get off drugs and save their lives and reputations. A notable scene in the film occurs when Malcolm speaks with Harvard alumnus Austin Jacoby. Much to Malcolm's surprise, he learns that Jacoby, also known as AJ, is the intended recipient of the drugs. AJ denies any involvement in the drug incident, placing the responsibility on Malcolm to resolve the situation. AJ informs Malcolm that if he doesn't sell the drugs before their next interview, he won't receive a recommendation for Harvard. Malcolm enlists the help of a hacker named Will Sherwood to sell the drugs online. They participate in a Google Science Fair project to access their school's lab and make transactions using the computer class, receiving payments in Bitcoins. Eventually, they manage to sell all the drugs. When Malcolm confronts Jacoby again, he uses blackmail to secure his acceptance to Harvard. Ultimately, Malcolm revises his application essay to focus on two students: a member of the successful group who receives straight A's and a student who must resort to immoral means to succeed. money. He asks the following questions: “Why do I want to go to Harvard? If I were white, would you ask this question? » These questions highlight the themes of racial discrimination and stereotypes present throughout the film. Director Famuyiwa aims to show that people of color are often forced to take alternative paths due to limited opportunities and societal prejudice. The film challenges stereotypes by depicting.