“Boyz N The Hood”
“Boyz n the Hood” poignantly describes how the plague of urban violence and police brutality comes hand-in-hand. The film depicts black-on- black crime unchecked in urban areas, which leads to an increased police presence. This then leads to a police force overreacting to the slightest provocation with little tolerance or understanding of the root causes, with itchy trigger fingers.
“American Gangster”
“American Gangster” is particularly strong in its exposure of corruption and police brutality in the black community. This, in no way, a justification of criminal behavior, but it does exhibit crooked Detective Trupo’s conducting several shakedowns, even illegal raids of Frank Lucas’ homes in search of drugs and money to line his own pockets. It’s a fascinating look at the corruption of the ‘repeat civil rights violators’ better known as the NYPD.