Common Theme to Boyz in the Hood and Black Freedom Fighters in Steel

Unite is a common word the comes to mind when looking at the themes of Boyz in the Hood written by John Singleton and Black Freedom Fighters in Steel by Ruth Needleman. Boyz in the Hood is a film that follows the lives of a group of young African Americans living in South Central Los Angeles, California. Each of the main characters face some common struggle modern day children and teens face today. Their fate relies heavily on what they decide to do about their struggle. In Black Freedom Fighters in Steel, a look into the lives of five men connected by one aspect of their lives. They also must do something in order to survive as blue collar workers during the mid-20th century. Both these works have one common theme if not more, these boys and these men had to unite together in close friendship and within a union.

Boyz in the Hood follows a group in South Central Los Angeles. Trey Styles along with his friends Ricky, Doughboy, and others all grew up in the same neighborhood living with various struggles. Trey moved to live with his dad at the age of 10, Ricky and Doughboy, who are half-brothers, lived across the street from him in a single parent household. Ricky was raised on the hopes of becoming a football star. His brother Doughboy was not given the same hope from his mother because he was getting in trouble at a young age. Trey was raised much differently than his friends because he was being raised Furious Styles, who tried to instill good values in him. Furious helped prepare Trey for what the future may have in store for him, especially when living in the “hood”. Although these characters were raised differently they still found strength in numbers and they stuck close together from a very young age. One example is when they are walking down the tracks and Ricky gets his football taken from him. Doughboy tries to stick up for his brother even though he fails they all stood together during the scene and ended up getting the ball back.

Doughboy, grows up deciding to become a part of a street gang. Instead of avoiding the temptation of violence and the dangers of the lifestyle, he becomes a apart of it. Although not a positive decision it feels like the only choice to him. The need for protection is essential to survive. By joining groups/gangs, people in various neighborhoods across America, often find sanctuary and family in these groups. Darren kept close ties with his friends. They united when it came to protecting themselves from other various groups. One incident would be when they all had their cars parked up and down the street and another group walks by and brushes shoulders with Ricky. When Ricky begins to confront the other group, they all join in. Another incident is when Ricky is shot; although they weren't all there when it happened Darren and his friends all felt a need to avenge Ricky's death collectively.

Trey was raised in a very strict and wise household. His mother was a well off business woman who took care of herself and her son until he reached a stage in his life where he was angry. Furious his father took Trey in and taught him specific values and self-discipline. With these values Trey made decisions opposite of a lot of his friends. He took a more optimistic route about living where he lived. He was aware of what goes on but he never involved himself in it. Trey who was close to his friends didn't completely agree with them on what they were doing all the time. While Darren and their other friends involved themselves in gang related activities, Trey and Ricky both avoided it. Still because they had all been friends for so long they still stuck together. When Ricky was shot and killed by another group, they all collectively went after that group. Specifically Trey joined them with this activity because he was very angry that his best friend had been murdered. He had lost his best friend and Darren had lost his brother. Although Trey didn't fully commit to the retaliation, he stuck by Darren’s side and comforted his friend.

In Black Freedom Fighters in Steel five men are profiled explaining the struggles around working in Steel and within the union. In the beginning we hear about George Kimbley, who signed up for Steelworker's Organizing Committee as the first African-American. In order for African-Americans to face their struggles of poor working conditions, poor pay, and lack of job opportunities, they had to connect with the white majority. George Kimbley knew that in order to be in the union and make somewhat of a difference, he would have to get people to trust not only him but other black steel workers too. What Kimbley means is that white men within the union have to become use to African Americans and learn that their misconceptions about them are wrong. Many African Americans felt they did not belong within the union because they would be harassed and discriminated against just like they were on