'Crash' not great; doesn't stop racism

I am writing partially in response to Stefanie Spiro's letter, "Brilliant films deserved recognition at Oscars" (SN 3/13).

I agree with Ryan McCormick's column, "'Crash' doesn't deserve best picture nomination" (SN 3/02), in that the film was a shallow attempt to produce strong sentiment regarding various differential issues in society.

Regarding the highly debated character portrayed by Sandra Bullock, the whole turning-to-her-maid-in-desperation affair was indeed pretty weak. At that moment, "Miss Congeniality" might have neared an epiphany while feeling vulnerable and lonely, but I'll bet the farm that she went to the Gap the next day with her sellout friends and left her maid to scrub the kitchen floor.

It seems that in our society we beg for Hollywood to apprise us of important issues. How many people watched "Crash" and thought, "Wow! I'll never be racist again!"? These feelings were probably transient, at best, in many filmgoers.

If someone is interested in learning more about burning social issues, try reading literary classics such as "Invisible Man" or "To Kill a Mockingbird." Or you can read biographies of Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. or Malcolm X. If you are more into the silver screen, try "American History X" or "Boyz n the Hood."

This is just the humble opinion of one person. I understand that "Crash" was a significant film and strongly impacted many people. However, I feel that pre-existing literature and films are far more insightful and meaningful.

Unfortunately, they will continue to be, as violence and hatred persist in this world.

Armon Mahajerin

mechanical engineering senior

Published on Monday, March 20, 2006