Rize
Response
While watching the
documentary, Rize, I learned that in
LA the young children have to make a difficult choice: being a gangbanger or a “clown.”
I did not know that kids had to choose between a life of violence or a life of
creative dance. I knew of gangs in bigger cities, but I did not know that there
are a large number of dance crews. However, I do know about krumping and have always been fascinated with it because it
takes so much emotion, thought, and freedom in every move. Therefore, I think it’s
incredible that Tommy the Clown created this outlet for the youth, so they do
not have to become gangbangers.
When the elderly woman
says that going to a school or institution to “perfect” an art is a Western
convention that is extremely true. In American society people are judged by where
they went to school and then what their talent is, not solely on their natural
talent. Also, if there is a possibility that someone has a natural talent they still
need to go to school to learn “better” ways to perform said talent. I really
like when she says, “…there is no distinction between the artist and the
community” because their community is the art and everyone is an artist adding
to it. This sense of art as the community brings the people together as a
family. One woman in the video said that she was a gangbanger and she felt like
the gang was her family, but when she really needed them they were not there
for her. Unlike her son, who was a clown dancer, who has the clown family
because they are always there and are looking out for each other. This is not
to say that there is not competition amongst the dance crews just that is more
peaceful.
After watching the
majority of the film, I find it inspiring. Tommy the Clown is a man that loved
to dance and make people laugh, and he made a place for others to follow in his
footsteps and to advance on what he has started. One guy in the video said, “…we are makin’
smiles where there are no smiles…” and I enjoyed that statement because he is
almost saying that they are creating a light in a negative situation.
-Justice Longshore
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