The media portrays many stereotypes, whether it being through television shows, books, or films. One major stereotype that is vividly displayed through media is the role of African Americans as gangsters. When a black individual comes from a low income household they are often displayed to be drug dealers, pimps, and or gang bangers. The only way they are usually shown making it out of their unfortunate circumstances is by becoming a professional athlete. With the way blacks are portrayed throughout media, some would argue that this is a form of oppression. Boyd explains that, "The late 1960s and early 1970s saw an increase in underworld activity, especially involving drugs, throughout many lower-class Black communities (335)." A film that portrays an African American as a gangster is, American Gangster. The term used to describe African American gangster films is called "blaxploitation (qtd in Boyd 335)." American Gangster is about a prominent drug dealer during the 1970's by the name of Frank Lucas. Besides African American stereotypes the film also deals with racism, segregation, and corruption.
American Gangster takes place in New York City. Frank Lucas, who was North Carolina born, was working in New York as a driver for drug dealer by the name of Eldrige "Bumpy" Johnson. After Bumpy had passed every drug dealer was for their selves. Lucas decided to take over the drug world with the knowledge that Bumpy had told him. Lucas says Bumpy was controlled by the white man, and Lucas was determined not to be controlled by the white man. Bumpy had to pay the white man, which meant the crooked cops, every time they came around. Cops were also taking the drugs they found arresting people, cutting it down to less and then selling it back to the community. Lucas wanted to get his drugs pure because he knew everyone would want his drug, since everything else was cut down so much. He was listening to the radio while calculating his earnings one day and had heard about the cheap cost of heroin in Vietnam.
American Gangster takes place in New York City. Frank Lucas, who was North Carolina born, was working in New York as a driver for drug dealer by the name of Eldrige "Bumpy" Johnson. After Bumpy had passed every drug dealer was for their selves. Lucas decided to take over the drug world with the knowledge that Bumpy had told him. Lucas says Bumpy was controlled by the white man, and Lucas was determined not to be controlled by the white man. Bumpy had to pay the white man, which meant the crooked cops, every time they came around. Cops were also taking the drugs they found arresting people, cutting it down to less and then selling it back to the community. Lucas wanted to get his drugs pure because he knew everyone would want his drug, since everything else was cut down so much. He was listening to the radio while calculating his earnings one day and had heard about the cheap cost of heroin in Vietnam.
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