I will be reviewing a show on Netflix, called All American. All American is about an African-American teen, Spencer James, from a rough area in California, called Crenshaw. Spencers’ story is somewhat based on a true-story, most of it is modified rather than being strictly factual. He gets the opportunity to move to Beverly Hills to play football, and decides to take it after lots of thought. Although he knew it was a good opportunity for him to take, he struggled to leave his mom and brother alone in that neighborhood, and his identity he had while living there. Once he decides to move into Beverly Hills with his coach, Billy Baker, he begins going to school and starting a new life there. After having some struggles with his peers at his new school, they will eventually come around and begin treating him as one of their own, but before that happens he will face multiple instances of injustices, and power be abused. Moving from Crenshaw to Beverly Hills was a big difference in terms of economic status and diversity. Some of the ways in which the economic status affected him, was him feeling as if he did not fit in with the “rich kids”, as well as when he was expected to dress up for booster events, and did not have the blazers or suits that the other players and attendees had. This was very difficult for him to admit and explain, but when he did his coaches family was more than willing to offer him one. In terms of diversity and racial differences, he faced many injustices, but a couple of which stuck out to me in particular. The first of these, being when he was at the boosters party, and a teammates’ father referred to him as a “South Crenshaw thug”. This was very inappropriate and demeaning to Spencer, as he was there to seek opportunities and help the team win, not to hurt anyone, nor was he a “thug” and quite the opposite. Another instance where this occurs, is when he shares that he’s “the only one here with his future riding on this season, these other guys don’t have anything to lose” (Spencer). In this, Spencer feels as if playing football and getting recruited by a college is his only way out of Crenshaw, and he must work for it everyday, and greatly fears it falling through. Much of this storyline also relates to the people of Crenshaw and their lack of opportunity, and degree of which they feel like there is no way out. Some of his peers said “You and me are not like Spencer we don’t have a way out, we gotta make the best of what we got right here” (Tyrone). Even Spencers’ mother feels this way as she states “I asked you to take this shot to give yourself a chance at something more”, as she knew this was the best thing for him. In the beginning, Spencer keeps returning home to check on his family and visit them, and slowly becomes better at making a new life in Beverly Hills and coming to terms with his “new” identity. When he does return home, he encounters issues with gangs and some violence and he sees that it isn’t where he wants to be, which I think pushes him to try even harder. I think the creator of this series left these details in the show and as blatantly as possible to provoke our thoughts and reactions. I believe the purpose of showing well handled situations was to influence us to behave that way and create examples of what to do. After finishing this series I was left with many questions and thoughts about ways to combat these issues, and effectively stop them. I also remember having conversations about the show and the way it made me feel, with my parents and friends. Most importantly I think this series provides an inside look at what it is like for those who face this everyday and really gives you a perspective and hopefully encourages you to help others and be part of the change.
Sources:
Daniel Ezra Playing Spencer James. Studybreaks.com, Kayla Johnson,
studybreaks.com/tvfilm/all-american-season-2/. Accessed 30 Nov. 2020.
Ezra, Daniel, and Demetrius Shipp, Jr., performers. “99 Problems.” April Blair.
All American, season 1, episode 2.