Our social constructions, culture, and history play an important role in our personal identity construction. In this analysis, these elements, as well as the role that machismo plays for the male gang member, in the 1993 cult movie Blood In Blood Out are analyzed to provide a profound understanding of one’s motivation to join violent gangs. We go beyond the movie to find out what it means to be Chicano.
“Karina Schmitt, has one of the most vibrant outside perspectives regarding the Chicano community I have ever seen. The only other I ever thought cared enough and expressed the realities of the Chicano community was Taylor Hackford, a very Anglo film director who chose to show the Chicano community using me as the star playing Miklo in Blood In Blood Out. Most Anglos don't understand enough about the language or the subtleties of the Chicano community to share or understand how to lend knowledge to the academic society or any other part of society without having grown up in this society of ‘Chicanismos’ as I have. But there is a certain care, passion, and loving embrace toward our Chicano society that Karina Schmitt embodies. She loves our language, our culture, and she cares.”
- Damian Chapa, Star playing Miklo in Blood In Blood Out (1993)
Table of Contents
- Foreword
- Introduction
- Chapter 1: Choosing a Topic
- Chapter 2: Blood In Blood Out and the Initial Research Question
Objectives and Key Themes
The objective of this bachelor project is to analyze the construction of Chicano gang identity as portrayed in the film "Blood In Blood Out." The project explores the motivations behind gang involvement and the role gangs play in the psychological and identity development of young Chicano men. The author aims to move beyond the typical focus on gang violence and delve into the underlying social and psychological factors contributing to gang membership.
- Chicano gang identity formation
- The psychological functions of gang membership
- The role of social context in identity construction
- Limitations of existing research on Chicano gangs
- Analysis of "Blood In Blood Out" as a case study
Chapter Summaries
Foreword: The foreword by Damian Chapa, the actor who played Miklo in "Blood In Blood Out," praises the author's unique perspective and understanding of the Chicano community, highlighting the author's passion and care for the subject matter.
Chapter 1: Choosing a Topic: This chapter details the author's process of selecting a topic for her bachelor project. Initially inspired by her Spanish American Studies class, the author initially considered exploring the linguistic aspects of Mexican American identity, including the use of Spanglish. However, after watching several films including "Blood In Blood Out," she shifted her focus to the themes of identity construction within the context of Chicano gangs in East Los Angeles. The author explains that the film's exploration of various topics, including cultural conflicts, social issues of youth, and identity construction, captivated her attention and became the foundation for her research. The author also discussed why she ultimately rejected other potential avenues of research such as the California penal system.
Chapter 2: Blood In Blood Out and the Initial Research Question: This chapter introduces the film "Blood In Blood Out" as the central source of analysis. The author explains that her lack of preconceived notions about the Mexican Mafia allowed for an unbiased approach to the research. While acknowledging the film's depiction of gang violence, the author highlights her interest in exploring the deeper motivations behind gang involvement. A pivotal moment in the author's decision-making is described: observing the protagonist's actions after his release from prison, she questions what compels him to return to gang life, setting the stage for an investigation into the psychological and identity-related aspects of gang membership.
Keywords
Chicano gang identity, identity construction, Blood In Blood Out, East Los Angeles gangs, Mexican Mafia, social context, psychological factors, gang membership, cultural conflicts, identity formation.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this bachelor project?
This bachelor project analyzes the construction of Chicano gang identity as portrayed in the film "Blood In Blood Out." It explores the motivations behind gang involvement and the role gangs play in the psychological and identity development of young Chicano men, moving beyond a simple focus on gang violence.
What are the key themes explored in the project?
The key themes include Chicano gang identity formation, the psychological functions of gang membership, the role of social context in identity construction, limitations of existing research on Chicano gangs, and an analysis of "Blood In Blood Out" as a case study.
What is the significance of the film "Blood In Blood Out" in this project?
"Blood In Blood Out" serves as the central source of analysis. The project examines the film's portrayal of Chicano gang life to understand the deeper motivations and psychological aspects of gang membership, going beyond the depiction of violence.
What is discussed in Chapter 1: Choosing a Topic?
Chapter 1 details the author's journey in selecting a research topic. Initially considering linguistic aspects of Mexican American identity, the author ultimately shifted her focus to Chicano gang identity after watching "Blood In Blood Out," drawn to its exploration of cultural conflicts, social issues, and identity construction. The chapter also discusses why other potential research avenues were rejected.
What is the focus of Chapter 2: Blood In Blood Out and the Initial Research Question?
Chapter 2 introduces "Blood In Blood Out" as the primary source and explains the author's unbiased approach to the research. It highlights the author's interest in understanding the motivations behind gang involvement, particularly focusing on a pivotal moment in the film that led to the investigation into the psychological and identity-related aspects of gang membership.
What are the objectives of the project?
The objective is to analyze the construction of Chicano gang identity as depicted in "Blood In Blood Out," exploring the motivations for gang involvement and its role in the psychological and identity development of young Chicano men. The author aims to move beyond the typical focus on gang violence.
Who wrote the foreword?
The foreword was written by Damian Chapa, the actor who played Miklo in "Blood In Blood Out."
What are some keywords associated with this project?
Keywords include Chicano gang identity, identity construction, Blood In Blood Out, East Los Angeles gangs, Mexican Mafia, social context, psychological factors, gang membership, cultural conflicts, and identity formation.
What is included in the comprehensive language preview?
The preview includes the title, table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
- Quote paper
- Karina Schmitt (Author), 2014, An Analysis of “Blood In Blood Out”. Personal Identity Construction in Gangs, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/301294
