East Tennessee State University Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University Electronic Theses and Dissertations Student Works 8-2007 Cinema, Race, and Justice: A Qualitative Analysis of Selected Themes. Katherine Clay Thompson East Tennessee State University Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.etsu.edu/etd Part of the Film and Media Studies Commons, and the Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication Commons Recommended Citation Thompson, Katherine Clay, "Cinema, Race, and Justice: A Qualitative Analysis of Selected Themes." (2007). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 2109. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/2109 This Thesis - Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Works at Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Cinema, Race, and Justice: A Qualitative Analysis of Selected Themes ____________________________ A thesis presented to the faculty of the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology East Tennessee State University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in Criminal Justice and Criminology ___________________________ by Katherine Clay Thompson August 2007 ___________________________ Michael Braswell, Ph.D., Chair Larry Miller, Ph.D. John Whitehead, Ph.D. Keywords: Films, Race, Restorative Justice, Peacemaking ABSTRACT Cinema, Race, and Justice: A Qualitative Analysis of Selected Themes by Katherine Clay Thompson The purpose of this study was to examine 7 different crime and justice films and provide a content analysis incorporating restorative justice and peacemaking perspectives. The 7 films examined in this study included 12 Angry Men, A Family Thing, American History X, American Me, Crash, Shawshank Redemption, and Traffic. The researcher examined the films and used content analysis to examine the behaviors and actions of the characters. The films were examined using 5 different analytical themes: “embracing change,” “second chances,” “hope,” “connectedness,” and “becoming more human.” The current study found the 7 films examined all displayed both restorative justice and peacemaking perspectives. 2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First I would like to think my parents and family for all of their support while I began the adventure of graduate school. Without your constant support for this chapter in my life as well as the last few months with this project, it would not have been possible to make it through. Thank you not only for supporting during the last two years, but for always believing in me and the reinforcement that I am capable of doing anything that I set my mind to. My experience the past two years have been absolutely amazing. This year I am so grateful for the friendships that I have developed with so many people especially Maryann and Ashley. I am in debt to the two of you for me keeping smiling and laughing throughout it all. Without the two of you I would have lost my sanity long ago. Thank so much for all the memories and the many more that will come. I would also like to thank the faculty members who have helped me with this project as well as my other experiences in graduate school. Dr. Braswell, thank you for all of the time that you have invested in this project and all the “sermons” that were given along the way. I am so grateful for all of the “life” advice. Dr. Whitehead and Dr. Miller, thank you for all of the hard work you put into this project and all the advice that was always given. Dr. Ellwanger, I appreciate all the help and advice you have given me. 3 CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT………………………………………………………………………. 2 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS………………………………………………………… 3 LIST OF TABLES………………………………………………………………... 7 LIST OF FIGURES………………………………………………………………. 8 Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………….. 9 Problem Statement………………………………………………… 11 Current Study……………………………………………………… 12 Theoretical Perspective…………………………………………… 12 Five Restorative Justice and Peacemaking Themes………………. 15 Embracing Change………………………………………. 15 Taking Second Chances…………………………………. 16 Hope…………………………………………………….. 16 Connectedness………………………………………….. 16 Becoming More Human……………………………….. 17 Selected Films…………………………………………………. 17 Limitations…………………………………………………….. 18 2. LITERATURE REVIEW……………………………………………… 19 4 Police………………………………………………………………. 20 Films and Police……………………………………………. 22 Courts…………………………………………………………….. 23 Prosecutorial Misconduct………………………………… 23 Eyewitness Testimony………………………………..….. 28 Defense Representation..……………………………….... 28 Race and Jury Selection….………………………………. 30 Issues with Discrimination on Juries…..………………… 31 Jury Instructions………………………………………….. 32 Effects of Diversity………………………………………. 34 Jury Decision Making Process………………………….... 36 Films and the Courts……………………………………….. 37 Corrections…………………….………………………………….. 38 Deprivations of Imprisonment……………………............. 38 Psychological Effects……………………………………… 42 Overcrowding……………………………………………… 43 Gangs in Prisons…………………………………………… 45 Correctional Officers……………………………………… 49 Prison Films………………………………………………. 53 Summary…………………………………………………………… 54 3. MATERIALS AND METHODS..…………………………………….. 55 Participant…………………………………………………………. 55 Instruments………………………………………………………… 55 5 Crash……………………………………………………… 55 12 Angry Men…………………………………………….. 56 A Family Thing……………………………………………… 57 American History X………………………………………… 58 American Me………………………………………………… 58 Shawshank Redemption……………………………………… 59 Traffic…….…………………………………………………. 60 Method……………………………………………………………… 61 Summary…………………………………………………………… 63 4. ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF SELECTED THEMES…….….. 64 Embracing Change………………………………………………… 64 Second Chances…………………………………………………… 72 Hope………………………………………………………………. 80 Connectedness……………………………………………………. 86 Becoming More Human…………………………………………. 93 Summary………………………………………………………… 100 5. CONCLUSION……………………………………………………… 102 Implications……………………………………………………… 103 Limitations……………………………………………………….. 104 Recommendations for Future Research………………………… 105 Summary…….………………………………………………….. 106 REFERENCES…………………………………………………………… 108 VITA……………………………………………………………………... 122 6 LIST OF TABLES Table Page 1. Observed Film Theme Analysis……………………….................... 61 7 LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 1. Embracing Change………………………………………………… 68 2. Second Chances…………………………….…………………….. 76 3. Hope………………………….…………………………………... 82 4. Connectedness……………………………………………………. 89 5. Becoming More Human………………………………………….. 96 8 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION This study provides a content analysis of a selected group of films incorporating restorative justice and peacemaking themes. By focusing on seven different films, six different restorative justice and peacemaking themes are examined. The importance of the media is often understated. Often many members of society form their beliefs and knowledge on a variety of topics due to an array of topics that are covered in the media. There are many current films about crime, justice, and criminal behavior. A substantial amount of the information and perceptions about crime and the criminal justice system comes from scenes and characters the public have observed in a variety of different movies. The society in which we live has become consumed with forensic science, law breakers, victims, and those law enforcement agencies that help control and solve crimes. Too often, the public is influenced by how the characters are portrayed (Dowler, 2003). Although there may be substantial criticism of films perceived to encourage bad behaviors in our youth as well as displaying too much violence, in general films that are exceptionally well done may also help teach the viewing audience something not only about society and the criminal justice process but ourselves as well (Shipley & Cavender, 2001). The importance of such films is often understated. Through more fully understanding the lessons such films offer us, we my be encouraged to make small changes that lead to larger, more peaceful ways of living in the world. Many films are produced each year that stereotype different races, ethnicities, and genders. In the majority of films, African American males are portrayed as characters 9 who are drug dealers, violent offenders, and pimps. Examples include, Boyz in the Hood and last year’s Academy Award nominee film, Hustle and Flow. An Oscar was awarded to Hustle and Flow for a song, entitled, “It’s hard out here for a pimp.” In the film, Panic Room, Jody Foster’s character is trapped in her house when it is being invaded by burglars. The film depicts classic American stereotypes when violent, dangerous black males enter a white woman’s house with force (Brown, 2003). The films Scarface and Traffic show how many Hispanic males are depicted as being involved in drug networks as well as gang activity. After 9-11, many film roles cast Middle Eastern men as terrorists. Films such as Munich, Flight 93, and World Trade Center are based on true events in which persons of Middle Eastern descent plot to harm and kill citizens from other countries. At the same time, many Italian men are cast in movies in which they are represented as being members of the Mafia. While some of the Italian mafia movies are loosely based on true stories, the Godfather trilogy as well as Goodfellas shows how Italian men are depicted as enforcers and hitmen and are often feared by the rest of the community. Women-- typically white women-- are portrayed in many films primarily as victims.