Derived from the experiences of Los Angeles residents during the 1990s, ‘Made In America’ holds valuable lessons and insights for aspiring students. Teaching this monumental movie in the classroom presents a unique opportunity to discuss American history, ethics, racial and socio-economic issues. This article delves into how ‘Made In America’ can be an instrumental tool to broaden the perspectives of students and encourage critical thinking.
Background:
‘Made In America’ is a passionate documentary directed by Stacy Peralta that analyzes the gang culture that emerged from the streets of South Central Los Angeles. Using this film as educational material offers an insightful examination of various societal factors contributing to the formation and evolution of gangs.
Discussing History & Ethics:
The movie serves as a backdrop to discuss important American history, especially around the periods of racial tensions, economic hardship, and societal norms. It allows educators to facilitate an open dialogue about right and wrong, prompting students to question ethical standards within a society.
Understanding Racial & Socio-Economic Issues:
As it features up close interviews with both Crips and Bloods members, students are taken through decades of rivalry, violence, community struggles, and attempts at peace. It encourages students to view societal issues through a magnifying lens and stimulates discussions around racial inequality and socio-economic challenges.
Media Literacy:
While teaching this film, educators can address media’s role in shaping public perception about gangs. This helps students develop critical thinking which is crucial for media literacy in today’s digital era.
Conclusion:
Teaching ‘Made in America’ movie creates an interactive learning environment enabling students to reflect upon multidimensional societal issues. By constructing meaningful connections between these pressing issues and our world today, we can truly exploit the educational potential offered by ‘Made in America’. Unpacking such complex themes within the safety of a classroom fosters empathy, understanding, and open-mindedness among our future leaders.
