A Spike Lee Joint "Chi-raq"
Spike Lee is known for creating phenomenal films about racism and social injustice in America as well as using the big screen to display the beautiful lives of African Americans. Of course, many people have seen the movies "Do the Right Thing," "School Daze" and my favorite "Crooklyn," so we all know that Spike Lee is a great film writer, producer and director.
Years later, Spike Lee decided to create a film based on Chicago's violence, in which he named it "Chi-Raq." I do not like that title. Even though Chicago has senseless violence that affects African American lives and also its violent history and high crime rates make it one of America's most dangerous cities, it isn’t as horrifying as the violence that is going on in Iraq. The title isn’t something to be proud of, but many kids in Chicago can’t read, spell and are not being taught values. It’s sad and terrifyingly true. Other than the title of Lee's film, I also disagree with his cast members. Nick Canon is an OKAY rapper and he is hilarious in his MTV TV show "Wild’n Out," but he isn’t the right fit to play a “hard” gang member. But still I give Spike Lee a chance just because he is well respected in the film industry.
The 2-minute trailer premiered earlier this week, and I am highly disappointed. The film does not portray the struggles that mothers face every day as they pray for their children to return home safely from school or simply the store. The struggles of teens being accepted in society and being forced to be a part of gangs or sell drugs because the Chicago Public School system, the government, mayor and legal guardians fail them. The list goes on as to why Chicago's youths are the way they are now. Spike Lee did not touch on those subjects. He made the movie quite similar to rapper Trina's movie "A Miami Tail."
The trailer didn't spark my attention, but I will support and watch the movie. In some cases, looks can be deceiving
.
If you haven’t already done so, check out the trailer for "Chi-Raq" below and compare it to "A Miami Tail."
