The Interrupters Discussion Questions

25 points

The questions below are based off the content of the film. Please reflect on them by using specific examples from the movie along with your opinion. Make each answer a paragraph or more (five sentences). A well written paper shall include a strong connection to the film. Please include several “I, Me and My” statements, along with your personal opinion or response to the film. You must properly cite the film in an APA format as a source at the end of your paper on a works cited page. You must also include a title page at the beginning. The title page will have; the title of the assignment, your name, the class, the section number, the date and your instructors name centered on the page.

***Please staple your documents before submission or they will not be accepted.

Violence in our Communities

The Violence Interrupters leverage mediation skills, cultural knowledge and street credibility to gain the respect and confidence of people in conflict. Could someone with mediation training but without a similar background and experience be as effective as the Interrupters?

Violence in mainstream films, television shows, news programming, video games, music and YouTube videos has become increasingly graphic and prevalent over the last two decades. Do you think the consumption of violent imagery desensitizes people to violence in their public and private lives? Is the entertainment industry creating more violent content or simply reflecting an increasingly violent American culture?

Many of the Interrupters and the people they help trace their descent into criminal behavior at least in part to their problematic or absent relationships with their fathers. Why do you think the father-child relationship is such a prevalent factor in this issue? How can our communities support young people who lack positive male role models?

Ameena’s confession of physical and sexual abuse shows that abused and neglected children often fall into circumstances that lead them into crime, creating a thin line between perpetuator and victim of violence. What would it look like to shift our public policies and aim funding to prevent future perpetuators of violence, instead of simply prosecuting them once a violent act has been committed?

Eddie Bocanegra talked about the tense relationship between police and his community. Studies show that Latinos, both documented and undocumented, are reluctant to report crimes for fear of exposing their immigration status, or of being discriminated against, or out of a distrust of authorities based on experiences from their home countries. How do these cultural factors contribute to violence in Latino neighborhoods?

The film mentions the idea of having the National Guard come in to help Chicago Police patrol the streets. Discuss how you feel about that Idea and why. Will the addition the National Guard add to the problem or help reduce the acts of violence?

What unique role can women play in conflict mediation?

For Cobe, Ameena and Eddie, being an Interrupter is about more than just stopping fights; it is about interrupting the status quo and making a positive difference in their community. What does being an Interrupter mean to you? In what ways have you acted as an Interrupter in your community?