c

Coach Carterc
c
Entering the action stage of contemplation wasn¶t an easy transition this time around. When I
did find my way around to it I decided to go with the ³Coach Carter´. It seemed like a good
choice and a movie that I enjoyed so I went with it. Coach Carter is based on an incredible true
story, it is the inspirational account of a controversial basketball coach Ken Carter (Samuel
Jackson), who received both high praise and staunch criticism when he made the national news
for a gymnasium lockout. The lockout was for poor academic performance. With the players,
parents and community rallying to get the team back on the court, Coach Carter must overcome
the obstacles of his environment and show the young men a future that stretches far beyond
gangs, drugs, prison and even basketball. c
The first and most pronounce theme that I would like develop on is the implementation of
physical activity in school. This film is of Richmond High School California basketball in 1999 is
showing how important physical activity is in school. However is crosses the line of a healthy
amount. But for each action, there is an equal an opposite reaction. We see when the schooling
aspect of high school is lost there can be devastating consequences. Coach Carter works to
restore the correct balance and create better lives with their abilities and with the least amount
of negative actions. c
One of the first key concepts I would like to highlight is the Environment that supports physical
activity. In the neighborhood of Richmond High, there isn¶t much in the way of grassy parks,
however there area handful of places that kids to young adults can be active. This places
usually come in the form of basketball courts or poorly maintained play structures. In this
neighborhood the youth face so many pressure to submit drugs, gangs and violence that there
places for escape from it all should be more predominant. A parallel theme that I wanted to talk
about in the film is the Issue of Poverty in America. In the concrete jungle that is most of
California poverty is the number one killer. Before drugs, gangs and all that we have to look at
why this demographic is forced to do the things they do. First off the risk of death is 2.5 times
greater for black infants than non-black babies. ³Premature birth weight are significant factors in
infant mortality and researchers said stress from environmental and social conditions could be a
factor´ (Source: Associated Press, 1999). Yes, I will say that there are some things we have no
control over, like the place we are born. However we can work to change these horrific facts of
life. Something as simple as environment and stress should not prevent infants from entering
into the world. With the simple implementation of parks and safe heaven for people to relax and
be active you would see a lot less of this sad fact. In this film Kyra (Ashanti) is pregnant with
Worm¶s (Antwon Tanner) child. In this lies another issue that is a common occurrence in these
areas and all around the world. High school basketball star¶s girlfriend is pregnant with a baby
and now he must become and man an start thinking beyond the reaches of basketball for
support and a future. He is faced with needing to provide for her and their future child. He is
faced with a choice to continue the basketball dream or quitting and finding work to provide a 9-
5 shelter.c
A interesting theme that I noticed for the first time in the film that was introduced in class was
the Race Ratio in sports. In this film there is 13 guys 12 of which are African American with the
last team member being the ³great white hope´. In this film Jason Lyle (Channing Tatum) is
portrayed as the scrappy underdog that must work harder than the rest to be able stay on pace.
Though his toughness is never questioned the skill of the game does not come as easy to him
as it does to others. This film is placed in a predominately black area which may lead to higher
numbers of blacks however this is a very real occurrence. We see the best players on the team
being African American by vast margins. c
The last and most important theme in the movie in relation to the class is the Influence on
Young adult¶s health behavior and attitude. This movie start with Coach Carter accepting the job
of high school basketball coach of Richmond High. A school that has a reputation for being one
of the worst schools for basketball in the area. I believe and as prioritized in the film, the
importance of positive social agents. As defined in the lecture notes a ³ Significant persons in
one¶s life who provide social influence´, Coach Carter the life line that was so desperately
needed in these young men¶s lives. Coach Carter boast impressive school records as his
credential which makes him a credible source to lead. In this movie a lot young men are lost and
confused and are unsure of the way the want to go. Timo Cruz in the film shows the very real
consequence of dealing drugs and ³gang banging´ can have. He quits the team because he has
a issue with the way Coach Carter is going to run the team. He feels as though he would be
better off on the streets pushing weight, rather than listen to some ³uppity negro´ re-teach him
the fundamentals of the game, for now. Timo eventually comes back around and realizes that
there is no place on the streets that to get out of this place he needs an education and athletics. c
Recently I chose to change my major (as a senior) learn about something that can help me
change the world. I created my own Liberal Arts major of ³Youth Advocate´ in hopes to be able
to pass on the knowledge I have learned in such classes as this one. I want to be a strong
mentor and create a safe place for kids to young adults to seek refuge in the harsh world we live
in. I feel as though it is the most important thing I can do for future generation. Teaching kids
about the importance of balancing physical activity and education in a perfect harmony can lead
to great things. Taking kids out of poverty stricken areas for a few hours a day to allow them to
let loose of some stress and have fun and learn. I wish to become the positive social agent
these kids need to push them through the hard times and be there for them when hard
decisions need to be made. This movie has reaffirmed my desire to change this in as many
ways possible.c