Media Representations

Who is being represented? The black community and what problems they are having.Young black men are being represented in this movie, which then became gangsters.

In what way? The black community is represented and it is showing what problems they are facing and what is causing the young black males to become gangsters mainly 50 cent.

By whom?

50 cent is represented as a gangster and every step that made him become a gangster is shown,and that he became the boss of the group.

50cent's mother is shown as involved in crimes and taking drugs, in order to get the money and feed her children.

Why is the subject being represented in this way?

the subject is being represented in this way to show 50 cent's problems and other black males' problems and the only way to become successful and get what they wanted is to take drugs, get involved in crimes.

it is mainly showing the problems that 50Cent faced in his life and what steps he took in order to become a worldwide famous rapper,after having faced many problems, he found the only solution that will make him rich and successful is to become a singer, and becoming a gangster which made him start with his job.

Is the representation fair and accurate?

i think the representation is fair and accurate to some extent because 50cent's real life is shown and also representation of some black youths in the movie, but it's the opposite because not all black youngsters are gangsters and get involved in crimes and take drugs.

THE CAST

Directed by: Jim Shreiden
Running time: 117mins (USA)
50cent (Curtis Jackson)
Ashley Walters(Antwan)
Joy Bryant (Charlene) his wife.
Mark John Jefferies(young Curtis)

Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Majestic)

research on the movie and gangsters.

50 cent in this movie is trying to show what has happened to him in real life, as he said in an interview that he is

trying to act as a real man not an artificial man , as he lived those moment eg: being shot nine times, he found it easy to act in the movie.

In order to show the gangster role in the movie, he decided to use his real personality and act as a real man, he also mentioned that he found it easier to act because that is his real personality as a gangsters, but if he chose another role and notbeing a gangster or who he was he might fail because he's ot showing his real personality.

50 cent being a gangster in this movie is due to many things and the only way to get rich and become succesfull was to become a gangster.

this movie is showing his life, but on the sametime it is showing us the audience waht is making other youngsters become gangsters.

one of the main cause of this change which is shown clearly in the movie is due to poverty, they don't have enough many to live the lifes they wanted and to start becoming succesfull is by selling drugs, commiting crimes to be shown in the community and to ha ve a level.

50cent (Curtis) in the movie was influenced of transforming into a gangster due to poverty adn his enviroment, showing his mother getting involved in selling drugs and in crimes inorder to get money, to feed her child.

so this is showing how he also followed his mother in being a gangster, he was trying to revenge from what had happened to his mother, that is another reason why he became a gangster.

50 cent "GET RICH OR DIE TRYIN" review

Article by: Shari Monah
Walking into the private screening of Get Rich or Die Tryin, I honestly expected the worse. Since this is 50 Cent acting debut, I anticipated flat dialogue, G- unit cameos, and a weak storyline to sum it all up. In order to be as objective as possible, I had to get rid of all the preconceived notions I had of 50 Cent before I gave this movie a fair chance. Since he wants to be considered as a serious actor, I will only refer to him as Curtis Jackson. Instead of 50 Cent the overly dramatic rapper that we’ve all come to love or hate. Off the bat, it is almost impossible for Get Rich or Die Tryin’ to fail since it is tied to so many A- list names. Obviously the movie would hit number one since its lead actor is music’s heavyweight 50 Cent. However it is the strong cast that supports the amateur actor and prevents the film from becoming a mere shout out to 50 and his G- unit clique. Curtis Jackson plays Marcus, a street entrepreneur that is forced into hustling after the murder of his drug dealing mother, Katrina (Serena Reeder). Driven by the anger from his mother’s death, Marcus sets out on a crusade to find her murderer while making a name for himself on the streets. Throughout the film, Marcus’s writing chronicles his journey from childhood to rap stardom. In order to prevent himself from embarrassment Jackson mainly narrates throughout this film. In fact, Marc John Jefferies ( Young Marcus), who has more professional acting experience, has more lines in this film than the lead actor does. Under the direction of six time Oscar nominee, Jim Sheridan, most of the story is told through the cold stare of Jackson’s eyes. Dependent on his physical acting, Jackson powerfully re-enacts the infamous scene of being shot nine times in front of his grandparents home. According to Sheridan, “shooting the scene was in a way therapy for him.” It is at this point where the audience witnesses the death of Marcus as a hustler and the birth of Young Ceaser the rapper. This film could not survive with out its supporting cast. Reportedly, Samuel L. Jackson did not want to be apart of this cast because of the violence that is tied to Jackson. Fortunately for C. Jackson, Get Rich or Die Tryin’ does not suffer from this absence. While Marcus’s life spirals out of control, it is the support of family and friends that helps him maintain his sanity. After the death of his mother Marcus is raised by his grandmother, Tony award winning Viola Davis (Antwone Fisher). As for his girlfriend, Charlene ( Joy Bryant of Antwone Fisher), she reminds Marcus that as a man it is his duty to provide for his family and not give up on his career. Bama, played by Terrence Howard (Hustle & Flow), is the loyal friend and manager who protects Marcus inside as well as outside of jail. Although Bama is not a main character, Howard undeniably steals the movie and the attention away from Jackson in every scene that he is in with the use of his humor. Synonymous to Jackson’s real life, the feud between his alter ego, 50 Cent, and Murder Inc. spills onto the screen. Young Ceaser generates noise in the rap industry by humiliating Majestic( Adewale Akinnuoye- Agbaje of Oz), a record executive who mirrors Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff. Similar to Supreme, Majestic is a convicted drug lord who launders his drug money through the record label. Along with Supreme, 50 also embarrasses Ja Rule who is portrayed by Dangerous. Like his counterpart, Dangerous is a flashy young artist who is on top of the world before Young Ceaser annihilates his career. In one scene Jackson’s character states, “ I rather live like a man than die like a coward.” Arguably, the reason why Jackson chose this role is because as a good businessman he knows the film can only enhance his career. Jackson knows that the audience will tie the pain and despair that Marcus has to endure with his own life story. Thus, increasing his gangsta image and being seen as more of a “man”. Curtis Jackson is aware that if he chose a role that is opposite of his current persona then there will be greater chance of him failing and being perceived as weak to his target audience. However, a real “man” would go outside of his safety net to test his true acting abilities. Whether it is due to the box office sales or the ability for the audience to empathize with the main character , Get Rich or Die Tryin’ is bound to be a staple in hip hop culture. For the individual who loves 50 Cent, this film would be the best product that Curtis Jackson has ever developed. But for the individual who is just curious to see what Get Rich or Die Tryin’ is about the film is good effort brought forth by the first time actor.

"city of god" & "50 cent get rich or die tryin"

The movie "city of god" can be related to the "50 cent get rich or die tryin", because it also includes young men turning into gangsters when they start getting involved into crimes and drugs,when fights start to occur between the boys that were friends before because of money and drugs they start killing each other, which is the same as 50 cent the only way of getting rich was to get involved in drugs and crimes which is being a gangster.

gangster movies and its genre

Crime and Gangster Films are developed around the sinister actions of criminals or gangsters, particularly bankrobbers, underworld figures, or ruthless hoodlums who operate outside the law, stealing and violently murdering their way through life. In the 1940s, a new type of crime thriller emerged, more dark and cynical - see the section on film-noir for further examples of crime films. Criminal and gangster films are often categorized as post-war film noir or detective-mystery films - because of underlying similarities between these cinematic forms.
Crime stories in this genre often highlight the life of a crime figure or a crime's victim(s). Or they glorify the rise and fall of a particular criminal(s), gang, bank robber, murderer or lawbreakers in personal power struggles or conflict with law and order figures, an underling or competitive colleague, or a rival gang. Headline-grabbing situations, real-life gangsters, or crime reports have often been used in crime films. Gangster/crime films are usually set in large, crowded cities, to provide a view of the secret world of the criminal: dark nightclubs or streets with lurid neon signs, fast cars, piles of cash, sleazy bars, contraband, seedy living quarters or rooming houses. Exotic locales for crimes often add an element of adventure and wealth. Writers dreamed up appropriate gangland jargon for the tales, such as "tommy guns" or "molls."
Film gangsters are usually materialistic, street-smart, immoral, meglo-maniacal, and self-destructive. Rivalry with other criminals in gangster warfare is often a significant plot characteristic. Crime plots also include questions such as how the criminal will be apprehended by police, private eyes, special agents or lawful authorities, or mysteries such as who stole the valued object. They rise to power with a tough cruel facade while showing an ambitious desire for success and recognition, but underneath they can express sensitivity and gentleness.
Gangster films are morality tales: Horatio Alger or 'pursuit of the American Dream' success stories turned upside down in which criminals live in an inverted dream world of success and wealth. Often from poor immigrant families, gangster characters often fall prey to crime in the pursuit of wealth, status, and material possessions (clothes and cars), because all other "normal" avenues to the top are unavailable to them. Although they are doomed to failure and inevitable death (usually violent), criminals are sometimes portrayed as the victims of circumstance, because the stories are told from their point of view.

___History of BLACK GANGSTERS___

The Black Gangster Disciple Nation was born out of two organizations. In the beginning, there were two separate organizations: The Disciple Nation, whose President was David Barksdale, and the Gangster Nation, whose President was Larry Hoover. There were many branches of both organizations.
Some of the Disciple Nation under David Barksdale’s leadership were: Devit’s Disciples, Falcon Disciples, Royal Disciples, Renegade Disciples, Executioner Disciples, Boss Pimp disciples, East Side Disciples, Sircon Disciples, Motown Disciples, Dutchtown Disciples, Gonzato Disciples, Six-Tray Disciples, Maniac Disciples and four-Tray Disciples. Also during this period of time, David Barksdale controlled the Del Vikings, the Black Souls, and the West Side Cobras.
Some of the branches of the Gangster Nation under Larry Hoover’s leadership were: The Supreme Gangsters (the first branch was considered to be the father of the gangster nation), Imperial Gangsters, African Sniper Gangsters, Raven Gangsters, High Supreme Gangsters, Russian Gangsters, Maniac Gangsters, Mafia Gangsters , 75th Street Syndicate Gangsters, Outlaw Gangsters, 95th Street Supreme Gangsters, the Dells Gangsters, West Side Suprem Gangsters, Racketeer Gangsters, East side Syndicate Gangsters, Gent town Gangsters, and the Black Pimp Gangsters of the West Side.
David Barksdale
Everybody in the City of Chicago who as a Disciple or a Gangster was under the leadership of David Barksdale or Larry Hoover, respectively. Up until that point in our history, no one in an organization had ever been referred to as a “King.”At the time, the Vice Lords, the Blackstone Rangers (Stones) and the Disciples were the three major gangs (street organizations) in the City of Chicago. In terms of membership numbers and organizational structure, the Vice Lords were the first major gang in the Lawndale area. Some of the businesses that they opened were a Restaurant, clothing boutiques, Tastee Freeze, pool room, Teen Town Dance Studio and an art studio. In addition they offered many programs for the benefit of the community.The Vice Lords reached their peak between the years 1957 and 1967. They were the father of the “Super Gangs: and had their origin on the west side of Chicago. They were the forerunners of the concept of changing street gangs into organizations.
In the years 1963 and 1964, two southside street gangs started to take a form that would eventually evolve into two of the most powerful street organizations in Chicago. They were the Blackstone Rangers and the Black Disciples. During the reign of these two organizations, the Blackstone Rangers were believed to be the most organized because they held national recognition, support from prominent business men, entertainers, and politicians. They entered into business ventures with the late Sammy Davis Jr. and had the support of W. Clement Stone, a self-made millionaire and business entrepreneur. However, one of the most impressive displays of political power and community importance of a street organization came when Jeff Fort, leader of the Blackstone Rangers, was invited to the late Richard Nixon’s inauguration.
The Blackstone Rangers were originally founded by Eugene Hairston and Jeff Fort. Under Jeff Fort’s leadership they prospered and changed their organization’s name to “the Black P. Stone Nation” and eventually they became known as “the El Rukns.”
David Barksdale, the leader of the Black Disciple Nation, had an organization that was comparable to the Blackstone Rangers. Although he did not receive the same amount of national recognition, he was well known through the City of Chicago and was respected by his friends and feared by his foes. At the time, David Barksdale was the most revered street gang organizer in Chicago.
On the other hand, amongst these two major street organizations on the southside of Chicago were the Gangster: A young street organization striving for a place of high recognition and respect in the City of Chicago. The Blackstone Rangers and the Black Disciple Nation were vying to bring the Gangsters in as part of their respective organizations. Jeff Fort, as leader of the Black P. Stone nation, brought Larry Hoover an offer to incorporate the Gangsters as part of the Black P. Stone Nation’s structure as Gangster Stones and offered Hoover the less favorable position as an ambassador within the Black P. Stone Nation. In Hoover’s mind, such a merger would swallow up the Gangster identity. Therefore Hoover declined.
Larry HooverChairman of the Board
When Jeff Fort offered Hoover the opportunity to incorporate, he was unaware of just how strong the Gangsters were rapidly becoming. With branches of Gangsters throughout Chicago, Hoover’s empire had reached the Morgan Park area on the southwest side, across 95th Street and well into the far-south edges of the City. The Gangsters swelled from Ashland and Halsted on the west to Cottage Grove on the east. Pockets of Gangsters were scattered throughout every district on the southside of Chicago and membership was rapidly growing on the Westside. Larry Hoover had put together the Black Gangster Disciple Nation, which would vie for power and battle the Stones and Disciples for years to come.
In January 1969, David Barksdale, leader of eh Disciple Nation, developed a broader vision about the mission and purpose of street organizations (commonly referred to as “street gangs”). In essence, David was tired of the senseless violence and mayhem that was destroying the black community because of street gangs’ warfare. He struggled with the idea of how to bring an end to the constant gang warfare that existed between the Disciples and the Gangsters. He realized that such a state of existence would only bring about self-destruction in the lives of ghetto youth. Therefore, he made an offer that Hoover could not refuse. David proposed merging the two organizations with Hoover sharing equal power. From that merger, THE BLACK GANGSTER DISCIPLE NATION was born. This began the era of “Kings.”
Never before in the history of Chicago had gang leaders been known as “Kings.” Looking back, it was an ambiguous situation, but it was a necessary compromise to stop the gang wars and save the lives of members on both sides. David Barksdale was wise enough to know that by bringing Hoover an offer to share the throne of gang leadership as two Kings with equal power, Hoover would accept and thereby end the bloodshed between the two organizations. David was willing to give up so much because he had a broader vision and a creatively positive direction for the new organizations. Such were the circumstances surrounding the birth of “THE BLACK GANGSTER DISCIPLE NATION.”
The merger was uplifting for both organizations. It allowed many negative energies to turn into positive energies and together the two unified organizations became active in community affairs. They opened and operated a gas station, two restaurants, community clean-up programs and enforced school truancy policies. The Englewood Business men’s Association worked hand in hand with our organization for the betterment of the community. The Black Gangster Disciples were given a security contract for Wilson Junior College, located on 70th and Stewart Streets in the Englewood district. Our members were given jobs in the 63rd Street shopping concourse as security guards, salespersons and they also worked in the neighborhood bank. One of our members still holds the same job he acquired during this period.
The Business Men’s Association assisted us in obtaining centers for the organization. The first to open was on 63rd and Normal Streets and 61st and Halstad Streets, out of which David Barksdale operated a free breakfast program for the community. Another center was located at 6th and Halsted Streets, out of which Larry Hoover operated a free lunch program to feed the needy children in the community.Our trouble as an organization began when we started dealing in big city politics. Before that, we were largely overlooked. We became active in community issues and got involved with the Reverend Jesse Jackson and Operation Breadbasket. We formed the LSD Coalition, which as an acronym for Lords, Stones and Disciples. We marched and picketed the “Red Rooster Grocery Store” which was a large food chain that contribute primarily to the black community. We were successful in shutting down the Red Rooster chain and stopped the selling of bad meat to the black community.We marched with the Reverend Jesse Jackson to force the hiring of Black Contractors to help build Circle Campus; we made up 80% of the participants in that march. We marched nonviolently with Dr. Martin Luther King in Marquette Park during the peak of the Civil Rights Movement. We were fast becoming known as a potentially powerful grassroots organization that would carry the fight against racism, segregation, inequality and unemployment right up to the City Hall steps, as well as throughout the voting booths of the City of Chicago. In essence, we became a threat to the status quo of inner-city politics and the powers that be.
Mysteriously, all major street organizations had drugs made readily available to them for mass distribution throughout the black community. Of course, drugs had been in the black community all the time, but with very limited access. Then all of a sudden, as we matured into a power to be reckoned with, our membership began to receive highly lucrative offers (from here to fore unknown sources), to package and distribute drugs for a living. After becoming so positively involved in the social and political aspects of our communities, drugs were introduced to shut us up politically and appease us financially. However, drugs also ended the positive direction of our organization’s movement. In that sense, the powers that be could not have (been) happier. As an organization, we had fallen into their trap and they closed the door and swallowed the key.
Shortly before the flood of drugs into the black community, there was a spirit of camaraderie, a sense of belonging which fostered love (our 1st principle), honesty and a feeling of being a part of something great, our organization. Many problems were solved in our neighborhoods because everyone looked upon each other as part of the same family. Drug dealers and users were initially frowned upon. Nevertheless, with the huge and lucrative influx of drugs, suddenly drug dealers were success stories; the role models for instant riches; representatives of “the good life.”Our organization lost many of its members to the drug game either directly or indirectly. The positive potential that these lost members had in unimaginable and immeasurable. Through drug usage, loyalties shifted or became non-existent. Those who were not consumers splintered off ot control turf or neighborhood strips. Our losses continued to swell. Many of our members became known as the “walking dead” (dopefiends) and were constantly in and out of jail and prisons throughout the State of Illinois, as well as the Country of America. As far as the positive growth and development of the members of our organization is concerned, the users, sellers, and all associated with the drug trap paid a price that has yet to be tallied.While jobs, social and educational programs are constantly being slashed out of the government budget, drugs have become an industry in the black community as well as in poor communities nationwide. Some of us who were caught in the trap have become aware of the fact that a great change is needed in our lifestyles. Larry Hoover is one of us who has become aware and his message is that we need to focus our energies toward eradicating the predicament that we find ourselves in.
The “BLUEPRINT” will not only enrich our lives, but it is a progressive step for many of us in the return to a positive direction.