Post 3, Group C(Resubmission): Much Needed Relief During the "Crack Era" by Rob D

The movie The Last Dragon was a much needed stress relief for the African American community during the 1980`s. This was the Era when the African American community was reaching the height of the “Crack era.” The “Crack Era” was a time where the black community suffered an epidemic of crack abuse(https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crack_epidemic).  The African American communities needed something to inspire and motivate the minds of the people within the community. What the African American community was lacking confidence. I feel this movie delivered a positive alternative to what was somewhat the norm during that time.

The Last Dragon is a movie that was created in 1985 by Berry Gordon. This movie is about a young African American New Yorker martial artists, Leroy Green (Taimak), that is inspired to achieve the same skill level as the legend Brue Lee. He trained tirelessly in order to reach his goal. He never had the confidence to feel that his skill level was good enough to be considered a master. The level of mastery Leroy wanted to achieve was the “Glow.” Meanwhile, Leroy faces several trails and tribulations that forces him to face his fears (lack of confidence). One of them is Kung Fu master Sho-Nuff (Julius Carry) who apparently already achieved the “Glow” and another is his confidence with women. Because of his training, he never got a chance to learn how to approach women. 

While commuting, he finds a women in trouble from being kidnapped and rescues her. The woman was the infamous singer and television show host Laura Charles. She was being kidnapped because a Bossman wanted his wife, which was an inspiring music artist, to debut her music on the television show of which Laura was hosting. Laura denied her request and she was ignored. The Bossman didn’t like how his wife was devastated by her denial so promised his wife that he would be able to get her music exposed. His attempt to kidnap Laura was to force her to listen to his wife’s  music. Leroy used his Kung u skills to fight off the team hired to kidnap Laura. Laura offered to hire Leroy to be her bodyguard.

 Due to the failed attempt to kidnap Laura, he hired the Kung Fu Master Sho-Nuff to take out Leroy. Sho-Nuff is claimed to be the master and willing to contest any one that doubts it. He hears that Leroy has an acceptably high level of skill and goes on a man hunt to challenge him. In parallel, he was hired by a Bossman to help him keep Leroy out of his way. First, Sho-Nuff went to Leroy’s family’s pizza shop to find him. When he went there and Leroy wasn’t there. As a result, Sho-Nuff and his crew vandalized the property sending a intimidation factor for Leroy. Sho-Nuff walked away chanting, “who is the master?” His crew replied “Sho-Nuff!”

Leroy searches for some “master” which he thought was required in order to obtain his desired skill level. He found that the “master” he was looking for Wan only a facade. Meanwhile, Leroy accepts the offer to be Laura’s bodyguard. They  spent a significant amount of time with other and developed feelings for each other(Typical movie plot). Leroy was extremely attracted to Laura but didn’t know how to express his feelings for her. As mention, his confidence with women was low.  In parallel, he didn’t feel that Laura was attracted to him because he was not the typical and somewhat of a karate nerd. During this time Leroy and Laura had a falling out  and Laura ended up getting kidnapped. She was brought to the living quarters of the Bossman where she was forced to listen to his wife’s record.

Leroy finds out where she is and goes to rescue her. During the process, he faces a dual with Sho-Nuff where he was attempted to be stopped. They battle it out and Sho-Nuff started to get the best of Leroy. His low confidence in his skill level hindered him from initially defeating Sho-Nuff. Just when Leroy defeat seemed to be certain, Sho-Nuff asked Leroy, “who is the master?’ Leroy replied, “I am!” Leroy overturn the fight and defeated him. He the achieved his “glow.”

To provide prospective of why the crack epidemic influenced this movie; there are several aspects. The main character Leroy demonstrates the overcoming of self related issues. Leroy sufferers from anxiety issues then challenged, yet he overcomes every obstacle.  According to the NATIONAL FORUM JOURNAL OF COUNSELING AND ADDICTION,"The Impact of Crack Cocaine on Black America"
"Crack impacts the Black community in many ways. Crack is linked to increased sexual risk taking behaviors, increased incarcerations of parents and breadwinners, and increased firearm related homicide rates. Not only has crack cocaine impacted the Black community in the areas of increased sexual risk taking and violence, but it also contributes to poor intimate relationships and relationships conflict between Blacks"(https://www.google.com/urlsa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.nationalforum.com/Electronic%2520Journal%2520Volumes/Hendricks,%2520LaVelle%2520The%2520Impact%2520of%2520Crack%2520Cocaine%2520on%2520Black%2520America%2520NFJCA%2520V2%2520N1%25202013.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjEz862svraAhVr7IMKHUVCBOAQFjAAegQICRAB&usg=AOvVaw1UglF0QA320u_rT-3uGTbg). Leroy expressed positivity to combat the impact of crack cocaine in the black community.

In all, this movie expresses being different in order to achieve higher levels of self is okay. The charter Leroy demonstrated to the black community to overcome fears and reach within to reveal true self confidence. During the Crack Era this was much needed. Because of the lack of confidence in poverty areas, it is easy to fall into addiction. When Leroy searched for the “master,” this facade represents the same facade that a fix from Crack would give someone. In this movie Leroy conquers all of his fears while maintaining his true self which provides a much needed relief.