CrashUnder Investigation: Engaging Complications of Complicity, Coherence, and Implicature Through Critical Analysis

Abstract

Abstract:Using a critical analytic lens, this essay examines how race, racism, and race relations depicted in the movie Crash reflect complicity, coherence, and implicature. The essay first utilizes complicity theory to offer a critical analysis of the film, then provides a thematic analysis of student reactions to the film as a means of gaining insight into multiple possible readings of the film. The analysis demonstrates how a simultaneous, multilayered experience of complicity, coherence, and implicature functions as a process of mediation for the viewing audience.

Negotiations of the Complicitous Nature of US Racial/Ethnic Categorization: Exploring Rhetorical Strategies

“…Given this, our next step is to then use this increased awareness to understand how embracing implicature can facilitate a transformation of complicity so that it does not dominate our thinking. In this regard, the aim is not to replace complicity, but instead recognize the productivity that comes with attempts to negotiate the tensions between complicity and coherence-something that can facilitate recognition of the implicature inherent to human experience (Orbe & Kinefuchi, 2008). This process-however seemingly unnatural-is what we believe is the key to transforming the current state of race relations in the US.…”

“…Western Journal of Communication 451 Orbe and Kinefuchi (2008) suggest that implicature can serve as the means through which individuals effectively negotiate movement between complicity and coherence. The absence of any substantial comments indicating implicature within participants' descriptions of racial and ethnic labels might help to explain the overwhelming amount of discourse that was grounded in complicity.…”

“White-Side, Strong-Side”: A Critical Examination of Race and Leadership inRemember the Titans

“…Admittedly, no film will achieve the insurmountable task of providing a solution to racism, as there is not yet one. However, our efforts could challenge audiences to engage more critically with these mediated images and messages embedded within these films in progressing toward social justice and equality (Orbe & Kinefuchi, 2008;Yosso, 2002).…”

“…Cranmer and T. M. Harris that of race (Kassing et al, 2004). Of the members of the community of sport, media is noted for its pervasive presence and potential to influence conceptions of race and inform interracial interactions (Dates & Mascaro, 2005;Entman, 1993;Glenn & Cunningham, 2007;Orbe & Harris, 2008;Orbe & Kinefuchi, 2008). Although numerous types of sport media have been examined, the analysis of sport films as communicative texts, particularly from a critical viewpoint, has been lacking (Kassing et al, 2004).…”

Psych's Comedic Tale of Black–White Friendship and the Lighthearted Affect of “Post-Race” America

“…Entman and Rojecki concede, however, that the positive value of comity can be compromised when it is contained within assimilationist representations that reinforce whitness (2000). More recently, Orbe and Kinefuchi (2008) also suggest that images of similarities and interdependence have positive potential, but, like Entman and Rojecki, they also acknowledge that this focus can risk reinforcing colorblind ideologies.…”