Diversity - George Washington

The film George Washington (2000) really explores a diverse range of kids and adults. They are diverse in race, background, health, and personality. The diversity is also more prevalent with in the film because it is placed in the south. The south has a more diverse demographic of race and culture as compared to other parts of the United States. Though the film acknowledges the diversity among the characters within the film, the film also highlights the similarities between the characters on an emotional level.

For example, at the beginning of the film the narrator, Nasia, describes the good she sees in her friends. She looks at them as sees them as beautiful, she looks at their cores, and 'at their bones' and she sees the good. They are a diverse bunch of kids but at the core they want to do what is right but they see right and wrong differently and they see the right paths differently as well.

George, is torn by the death of Buddy because he feels it is his fault and tries to become a hero instead of a monster. This leads him to try and become a better citizen within his community. It is his way of coping with his conscience to strive and save others lives, as a means to make up for taking Buddy's life.

Sonya, also becomes concerned about her inner darkness, not because she feels Buddy's death was her fault, but because she feels guilty for not being upset over his death. In turn she tries to open up more to Vernon and to the authorities as a means to clear her conscious.

And lastly Vernon is grief ridden and driven to do things he wouldn't normally do, like steal a car.

Each of these characters were present at the same situation but due to their diverse circumstances and personalities they each handle the situation differently. It is here that the film shows that we are diverse in look but it is our actions with shape our true diversity from others. Our diversity comes from us shaping ourselves into the people we want to be. Into people who run away (Vernon), people who try to learn to care (Sonya), and into people who try to become heros.