“You think you know who you are? … You have no idea.” (Quote from Crash, 2004)

A recent colour discussion on a friend’s site reminded me that I had wanted to comment on a movie I watched recently. If you haven’t seen “Crash” yet, I highly recommend it.

The movie has an ensemble cast (including Sandra Bullock, Don Cheadle, Tony Danza, Keith David, Loretta Devine, Matt Dillon, Jennifer Esposito) who superbly portray a collection of characters whose lives all bring them face-to-face with race relations in Los Angeles. Through the interleaving stories that play out over the course of the two days shown in the film, each of the characters is forced to confront prejudices, their own and those of others. Perceptions and judgements about people are challenged with each scene and you are forced to think about some of the questions posed:

• what would you do when someone acted as you expect them to?
• how would you deal with being profiled because of your race?
• how would you protect your children in a violent society?
• how would you react to being the token “minority”?
• where would you turn when you realize your own prejudice?

Watching the film not only highlights the racial tensions that still exist, but forces us to consider whether we ourselves or the people we know are shown in these people. Few people can prevent themselves from making some kind of judgement about someone on first sight. It may not always be based on race or colour, but may be about the clothes they wear or what they drive. You will find yourself thinking a little more carefully before lumping someone into a group without basis.

By the end of the film, you will have wanted to laugh, cry and feel with the characters. But more than anything else, hopefully you will come out of it being reminded that people all have fears, all have loved ones, all have something in common, regardless of where they come from, or the colour of their skin.