Black Freedom Fighters in Steel and Boyz N the Hood

At first glance, Black Freedom Fighters in Steel and Boyz n the Hood may not seem to have much in common. However, the two stories parallel each other -- and contrast one another -- in many interesting ways. Though separated by the Civil Rights era, they both tell the story of oppression: people of color struggling to survive in a world out to get them, a society built upon a foundation of institutional and personal racism and hatred. Both follow these struggles, and the stories piece together a concept fundamental to surviving under such oppression: solidarity and hope. Solidarity has many connotations, from plain friendship to the almost cliché camaraderie of industrial unionism. Most importantly, the concept of solidarity denotes a feeling of collective trust, unity, and empowerment. It is in this sense that the theme of solidarity presents itself in both Black Freedom Fighters in Steel and Boyz n the Hood. Everyone knows what it means to be hopeful. Hope instills a feeling that it is possible for an individual's situation in life to improve if one struggles to achieve gains. Lack of hope, effects people in a strong manner as well. Hopelessness impresses in the mind that may very well be impossible to change ones situation and therefore it becomes pointless to try in the minds of the hopeless. In order to compare the theme of solidarity present in these two works, I will first highlight important plot points of Boyz n the Hood, reveling how solidarity -- or lack thereof -- effects the plight of people of color growing up in an urban environment. Then, I will highlight points of Black Freedom Fighters in Steel which also exhibit the power of solidarity and its effects on those struggling to make a better future for themselves and their children. Last, I will do an overall comparison of how the theme is presented in Black Freedom Fighters in Steel and Boyz n the Hood.

At the beginning of Boyz n the Hood, young Tre Styles is shown to lack respect toward fellow students and teachers. He gets in a fight with a classmate and his mother, frightened for the future of Tre, sends him to live with his father Furious in hopes that he will learn some valuable lessons. Tre is soon reunited with childhood friends, namely Darrin "Doughboy", Ricky, and Chris. The first show small of solidarity occurs when Tre, Doughboy, Ricky, and Chris encounter with a street gang while looking around another neighborhood for a corpse of an assumed to be murdered gang member. A gang member intimidates Ricky and tries to take his football. Doughboy and the group tries to stand up for Ricky, though this attempt fails and Doughboy, the most vocal, is beaten up and the ball taken.

Fast forward years later, and the neighborhood boys are adults. Doughboy, now a gang member, is just being released from prison and his mother is throwing a party to celebrate. Tre is shown to be mature and Ricky the star football player at his high school. Eventually,