"F*ck Stereotypes"
Writer-director Paul Haggis interweaves several connected stories about race, class, family and gender in Los Angeles in the aftermath of 9/11. Characters include a district attorney (Brendan Fraser) and his casually prejudiced wife (Sandra Bullock), dating police detectives Graham (Don Cheadle) and Ria (Jennifer Esposito), a victimized Middle Eastern store owner and a wealthy African-American couple (Terrence Dashon Howard, Thandie Newton) humiliated by a racist traffic cop (Matt Dillon).
Scenario:
Jean Cabot (Sandra Bullock) and husband, District Attorney, Rick Cabot (Brandon Fraser) are carjacked at gunpoint by two teenagers. Jean takes out her anger when she sees a Latino locksmith changing the door locks to their home.
Selected Scene:
Scenario:
Jean Cabot (Sandra Bullock) and husband, District Attorney, Rick Cabot (Brandon Fraser) are carjacked at gunpoint by two teenagers. Jean takes out her anger when she sees a Latino locksmith changing the door locks to their home.
Selected Scene:
Jean: I would like the locks changed again in the morning. And you know what, you might mention that we'd appreciate it if next time they didn't send a gang member.
Rick: A gang member?
Jean: Yes, yes.
Rick: What do you mean? That kid in there?
Jean: Yes. The guy in there with the shaved head, the pants around his ass, the prison tattoos.
Rick: Those are not prison tattoos.
Jean: Oh really? And he's not gonna go sell our key to one of his gang banger friends the moment he is out our door?
Rick: You've had a really tough night. I think it would be best if you just went upstairs right now and.
Jean: And what? Wait for them to break in? I just had a gun pointed in my face!
Rick: You lower you voice!
Jean: and it was my fault because I knew it was gonna happen. But if a white person sees two black men walking towards her and she turns and walks in the other direction, she's a racist, right? Well I got scared and I didn't say anything and ten seconds later I had a gun in my face. Now I am telling you, your amigo in there is gonna sell our key to one of his homies and this time it'd be really fucking great if you acted like you actually gave a shit!
Business Tip:
Whether your interacting with customers, clients, colleagues or your boss. You will have to work with individuals who are different than yourself. So, what do you do? First, follow the wisdom of Mr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “Judge a person by his/her character, not by the color of their skin.” Stop the cosmetic labels or negative descriptions. Advancing up the company ladder goes to those that are successful in their job, works well with others, and has a positive mentality toward others and their work. This means when referring to individuals, refer to them by their skills and office accomplishments i.e., the tech guru, the best dressed, the multi-lingual, or my favorite, their first name! In the movie, on numerous occasions assumptions and decisions were made just on an individual's race. And of course, the point was well made that stereotypes have no place in our decision making process. A jerk is a jerk, a cool boss is a cool boss, regardless of their skin color. One never knows who's going be the person to step up and support you in a big project you are leading or recommend you for a promotion or new job. As in the case of Jean Cabot and her Latina housekeeper, Jean never expected Maria to come to her aid and become her best friend. Live and learn.
