Representation of black youth in Kidulthood and Adulthood

1. Do you think the representation of black youth has changed significantly since the preceeding movie, 'Kidulthood'? Provide a detailed analysis of the changes that have occurred making reference to specific characters and scenes where possible.

The represenation of black youth has some changes to an extent. The contrast from Kidulthood and Adulthood is based six years in the future, so the age of the characters has transfered from 16 to around 22 which reflects the idea that certain characters have grown up. Characters such as 'Mooney' are a prime example of the crime/gang lifestyle of black youth is only a phase that teenagers go through as a way of proving themseleves and surviving in a rough neighbourhood. In Adulthood he is no longer involved in gangs and drugs as he has put his life on the right track going to university. However characters such as Jay are portrayed as the follow up of what someone involved in gangs and crime would turn out like six years later. Still greiving his friends Trife he is featured throughout the film selling drugs and being involved with crime bosses. He is also seen getting a gun and paying teenagers to go and kill Sam (murderer of Trife).
This follows up how Adulthood still shows the black youth portrayal as three characters featured throughout the film are based around the age of Seventeen, one of them is character from adulthoods little brother. They are seen throughout the film hanging around on the streets robbing cars, doing drugs and having fights. The portrayal of these youths behaviour in adulthood compared to kidulthood is arguably worse. Despire the tough gang like attitude the youths had in Kidulthood, there was no reference to them being murderers, they still maintained a sense of young innocence, however one character in Adulthood, 'Dabs' accepts money from Jay to murder Sam, his friends older brother. Thus shows a disregard for human life and friendship. A rememerable quote from Adulthood is when Sam is talking to his mother and his mother says, 'that brother of yours is going to be worse than you.'

Representation of black youth in Kidulthood

The represenation of black youth is portrayed by the stereotypical idea of street crime with youth's. The features of the film mainly consists of violence, drugs and sex. The film is based in a typical rough london estate where the film begins with an introduction to the characters in school. The flm then follows some disturbing images as a young white girl is being bullied by a group of black girls for being a virgin. She then later hangs herself and the film then conceeds with the following day. The film is then centred through the whole day as the school is closed with respect for the girl which then follows the three characters who have some sort of black ethnicity some greater then others.
The dialogue used by the characters shows regional traits as the use of slang and lexical choice confides with their familiar london context. Terms such as 'blud', 'merk' and 'chattin' are commonly used by each of the characters.
The stereotypes are presented with the idea of ironcly a black cab will not stop for a black man, a theory said to the taxi driver after several taxis ignore him. Another stereotype is shown as the boys enter a shop already wearing a cap, however they innocently stroll over to the hat stand and browse the latest merchandise. The security guard then claims that one of the boy has stolen the cap he came in with and threatens to call the police.