Violence an American Tradition Essay Example

guns and other weapons may also be traced back to the time the movie was scripted. Possession of guns increased crime and fights between different groups erupting violence in home and towns. For example, we are shown of a store owner pulling a gun and shooting directly to the robbers. It’s an indication that possession of guns is not a new thing, but initiated back in the time of building America. Therefore, this tradition of uncontrolled gun possession and usage stands as one factor that make the United States a violent nation among the different industrialized nations (Bond, Films for the Humanities, Home Box Office, & Kunhardt Productions, 1996).
The exploitative capitalist community and the male domination mentality in the movie reflect the gender differences and violence we are observing in our homes today. Children who observed their fathers abusing their mothers, sisters or any other family member has pushed the attitude to the current America making violence and crime a common thing. For example, we were shown a father whipping his son in a helpless manner, a mother cutting off his newborn air supply to cause death. Since no one acted upon such behaviors, the same scenes and occurrences have been passed to our current lives today (Holmberg, 2013). People are being attacked right before the eyes of their gates without getting any help from the authorities. Some of these violence and crimes we are observing in our homes today are a result of the seeds planted in the early times. The same problem will proceed to the next generation as no one is working on it now. These “fruits” of uncontrolled and unethical society

makes the United States get listed as one of the most violent nations (Bond, Films for the Humanities, Home Box Office, & Kunhardt Productions, 1996).

From a sociological perspective, the aggressive nature of American possesses as the final factor that makes the United States a crime prone country. The issue of classism brings in competition between the “haves” and “have-nots” that in most times turn to be very violent. The middle class is working extra hard to achieve and reduce the exploitation placed on them by the capitalist. This struggle makes most of them engage in crimes, owning guns or even killing a lower class individual who pose a threat to their progress. The classism struggle began way back before the movie and thus why it was featured (Holmberg, 2013). It has grown big and unstoppable making American more violent. For example, in the recent political campaigns, Donald Trump has viewed blacks as individuals who are taking over opportunities meant for the veterans. It implies that the racism and struggle between different groups will never seize in America. It will, therefore, remain a violent and crime prone country regardless of the economic and development experienced in the recent past (Bond, Films for the Humanities, Home Box Office, & Kunhardt Productions, 1996).

Conclusion

The movie has acted as an eye opener to the fact that the violence cycles experienced in the country today are dated back in the days. Media acts as the propagator of hatred and information that leads to violence, while transmission of bad behaviors, uncontrolled gun possession acts as “un-healing wound” to all the crime and violence we are experiencing today. Therefore, bearing mind how hard

it is to break this violence cycle, violence will remain tagged on United States neck than any other industrial democratic nation (Holmberg, 2013).

References

1. Bond, J., Films for the Humanities (Firm), Home Box Office (Firm), & Kunhardt Productions. (1996). Violence: An American tradition. Princeton, N.J: Films for the Humanities.
2. Holmberg, M. (January 01, 2013). Profiles in outrage: Trayvon Martin got everyone's attention. But what about the cycle of violence in our own city? Style Weekly, 31, 29, and 13.