Raul

Barraza
February 3, 2016
Sociology 1

Project 1 Video/DVD Analysis

This video is from the scene from the movie Straight Outta
Compton. It takes place in the city of Compton outside of a recording
studio. While the members are taking a break from recording they step
outside to socialize with one another. While standing outside the
Torrance Police Station, officers walk by and see a group of black men.
The police officers stop and begin to interrogate the members of NWA,
perceiving them as gangbangers. These men werent carrying guns nor
weapons. What distinguished these men different from others was their
skin color. The officers instantly begin to discriminate and use
derogatory language against the members. They were rude and did
not even acknowledge the men in why they were being punished. Even
when the officers were harassing these men, the members still listened
and dropped to the floor. The black men were not committing any
illegal action. The officers clearly demanded the members of NWA to
assume the position on the ground and shut up. The members laying
on the ground are emphasizing they are working but officers continue

to ignore them until their white manager walks outside and questions
what the police are doing. The police officers initially believe the man
is just a pedestrian and tells him to go back inside. The manager
stared at the police with confusion. The police are known to treat
everyone with equal rights and keep citizens from harm. The white
manager explains the men on the floor are artists. The officer, in
disbelief, laughs at the style of the black men. He states, These artists
look like gangbangers, and that the manager is clearly wasting his
time. This just comes to show that racism was even a problem within
our own government. The manager points out that the actions these
officers are taking are injustice. He states they are only arresting the
members because of their skin color and appearance. Arresting
someone because of appearance is not right and is police harassment.
Auguste Comte is considered to be the first philosopher of
science. He created the term sociology and positive psychology. He
initially studied social interactions and companionship. If Comte had
the opportunity to watch this video he would pay attention to
interaction. He would focus on both behaviors of the officers and the
victims in this scenario. He would evaluate the setting of the situation
such as the neighborhood. In this case the neighborhood is in the
category of poverty and minorities. Comte was would be disappointed
with all the negativity of the police harassments. For the way their

actions were being exposed to society. It creates a negative effect on

society by continuing wto treat to them like criminals.
Karl Marx was a strong believer in the rich staying rich and the
poor staying poor. He had strong beliefs in the necessity in social
classes. He was a philosopher and sociologist. If Karl Marx had the
opportunity to see this video he may not see anything wrong with how
the police officers treated the members. His conflict theory explains
how tension between social classes is necessary for society to function.
When the police officers saw the alleged gang members they assumed
were up to no good. When the manager spoke to the police officers
they recognized that the white man had higher authority then NWA
artist. In this case it isnt the color of the skin that changes the
perspective its the authority of the uniforms. The officer in the video
was African American as well as NWA members but he felt superior
because he was in a place of power. Marx concept in social classes
would put the police officer in a higher social status and position of
power than the NWA members. He would also consider this on Macro
level to be acceptable for all police officers.
Emile Durkheim was considered to be functionalist and the
father of sociology. His works were concerned with how societies
could maintain their social order. Durkheim was a major proponent of
structural functionalism. He saw society as one functioning machine
and explains the need for all the compartments to run effectively. Each

compartment is essential for good of the whole. If Durkheim had the

opportunity to watch this video he might feel a sense of understanding
but yet still some disappointment. Durkheim would understand that
this situation is a pattern in life. The police officers are going to always
be a large part of society and they help contribute when they perform
their duties accordingly. For this situation, they dont help society they
are hindering it from social integration. Durkheim would hope that
situations like this would eventually fade away or some how help
benefit society.
In conclusion this scene from Straight out of Compton falls into
conflict paradigm. This video gives examples of inequality and power
of social classes. The police officers feel as though they have the
power to discriminate and harass against anyone who may challenge
their authority. This situation can be understood on both a macro and
micro level.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_lKAOeZT8Y