Chubby boy One of the most iconic films of the 1990s, written and directed by John Singleton when he was only 24 years old. The film is a work of fiction, but like many works of fiction, it is also a vehicle to a larger truth.
Singleton’s film is a touching, tough, honest story of struggle, love, and harsh reality. This film is not only a great work of art but also carries a message relevant to today’s politics.
What’s up? “Yeah. Too bad you don’t know what that is.”
The first night Trey moved in, his home was broken into and Ferris fired multiple times at the police but missed. It took an hour for the police to arrive, and once they arrived, there was nothing they could do. One of the black policemen was giving Ferris particular trouble, and Ferris reacted angrily because the officer didn’t see that he was hitting the wrong fight.
Never respect someone who doesn’t respect you
Fury tries to instill Trey with maxims and life lessons and forces him to repeat them in his own way to show that he is paying attention and taking the matter seriously. From the very first day he lived with him, Fury made it clear to Trey that his circumstances would be different from those of his friends, as Fury intended to raise him with specific principles and morals. able to give him a solid foundation in life and to keep him from succumbing to the systematic pitfalls of people of color.
Every fool has children but only real men can raise children
“Rage” tries to convey to Trey that being a father is more than nourishing someone, it requires dedication, care, and companionship.
Tre tries to be such a father to Tre and wants Tre to follow his example by being careful and not taking things lightly.
Most of these tests are culturally biased. The only common part is math
Trey and Rick come back from college SATs and Ferris asks how things are going. They both shrug, their angry response being the sad understanding that the tests are biased anyway – that is, favoring whites over people of color.
Why do you think there are liquor stores on every corner? For the same reason, there is a gun shop on every corner. They want us to kill ourselves.
Fury takes Rick and Trey to Compton. Both young men are worried about it, but anger tells them they need to stop being afraid of their own people as the media wishes.
“Rage” draws attention to cash billboards for people’s housing and explains the concept of gentrification in black neighborhoods, emphasizing the need for blacks to stick together. He goes on to discuss the effect of whiteness on black lives and the decline of systematic efforts to pit blacks against each other and influence black lives.
Why do you have to say “Bit*h” or “Ho” when talking about women?
Doboy’s female friends accused him of only using derogatory words to refer to women. Even on the rare occasions where he seems to be describing how women are superior to men, he ends his point with “bi*ches”. Women in films are almost always referred to in this way, drawing attention to issues of sexism in the black male community, particularly against black women.
What you do is no different from what your mother did from the beginning
Rewa scolds Ferris for acting like he’s special for raising Trey. She praises him for what he does for his son admirably, and for being a good father most men can’t, but doing so doesn’t give him the right to feel superior to her.
In a rare moment in the film that deals with a female perspective, Rewa asserts that getting patted on the back is just as ungrateful as most women do on a daily basis.
You’re my only son and I won’t lose you over any nonsense. I like you.
Shocked by Ricky being shot, Trey rushes home to get the gun. Anger stopped him, challenging him not to succumb to the ego-driven behavior that had killed most people in their area. “Rage” envelops Trey, a moment that represents a challenge to toxic masculinity and the ease with which two men can express their love for each other.
Get out of my way! Keep babies off the street!
Doboy’s scolding of his drug-addicted mother who constantly harasses people for money and drugs demonstrates the bluntness and hardship required to live in such a difficult community, but also includes the constant presence of care, Community and Humanity – Caring for children who cannot help but wander the streets in danger.
Either they don’t know…don’t show it…or don’t care what’s going on under the hood
In the film’s beautiful final lines, Doboy and Trey sit together the morning after Ricky is murdered in broad daylight. He expressed confusion at the depiction of American suffering; the reality is that American news will cover horrors abroad as if there were no horrors in their own country — while blacks are being murdered and abused every day.