1 Barry Jenkins, Moonlight (2016)

Araceli Mata
Winkie

ECE 102

Cultural Diversity

February 23, 2021

Video Reflection #1
A reason that I chose to watch the movie Moonlight, is because it deals a lot with the

influences that society has on children and their families. Since socialization is developed and

started by the family so that when the child is out within the community, they are able to

communicate to and with others around them. This is shown by using language as a main source

of communication and it influences the ties that the child may have with a group, or sometimes

even to several. But at the beginning of Moonlight, a group of kids is chasing Chiron, who is the

main character. They are yelling and calling Chiron derogatory and offensive names that are

often used against the LGBTQ+ community. Chiron takes shelter in a pothole, while the groups

of kids continue to harass him and start throwing objects at the windows of the pothole. Chiron

also has to deal with his mother who is addicted to drugs and has very little communication with

him. But Chiron is able to find comfort and some sort of parent authorities in Juan, who is a drug

dealer, and his girlfriend Teresa. The setting of the movie takes place in Miami, where there are a

lot of people who come of African-American and Cuban descent.

Another reason that I chose this movie is that it also demonstrates how children often

have trouble with dealing with their identity and are bullied for it. Throughout the years, boys

and girls were taught that they should be doing activities that are related to their gender. Girls

were mostly associated with cooking, cleaning, and taking care of children. While boys were

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 2 Barry Jenkins, Moonlight (2016)

associated with playing rough, working, and more educated. Throughout the movie, Chiron is

bullied and harassed for being gay and he struggles with learning how to feel comfortable with

his sexuality. Many cultures and people in society sometimes have a problem with accepting and

welcoming members of the lgbtq+ community and have a hard time acknowledging a change

taking place.

My reaction to the movie changed throughout watching it. There were scenes that were

heartbreaking, like when Chiron was betrayed by his friend Kevin, who was peer pressured by

Terrel (a bully) and other students to beat him up, who later joined in, or when Chiron’s mother

searches him and demands him to give her money, so she can buy drugs. Chiron’s mother can be

shown as emotionally and verbally abusive towards him. There were was an intense scene where

Chiron arrives at his class and hits Terrel with a chair. This demonstrates how Chiron has had

enough of all the torment that he endured and in a way finally “broke”.

An example of how Moonlight conflicts with a cultural belief that I have, would

probably be using violence and discrimination. Growing up, I was taught that everyone should be

treated in an equal and fair manner, no matter what. The movie really shows how people use

violence and name-calling as a way to approach a certain situation or how to deal with a person.

An example in the movie Moonlight that complemented a cultural value that I own is having

respect towards parents or people of an older authority. In the Hispanic and Latin communities,

having respect towards elders and people of authority is a big must. People with authority are

tended to first and elders are taken care of by everyone in the family. In the first scene of the

movie, Juan approaches a co-dealer who is younger, who addresses him as “sir” and the co-

dealer thanks Juan for giving him an “opportunity”. This shows how Juan was able to gain

respect and authority.

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 3 Barry Jenkins, Moonlight (2016)

.The greatest impression that the movie left on me from one of the cultures that was

represented, was when at the end when Chiron finally accepts his sexuality. I liked how the

movie in a way, was divided into three chapters or stages of Chiron’s life. The first stage of his

life was called “little” and it takes place in his childhood. This was Chiron’s nickname growing

up in his community and this was because he was a bit smaller than the other kids and he is shy.

The next stage is Chiron’s life is was called “Chiron”. This stage takes place while in his

adolescence and The last stage is called “Black.” This is because Chiron reunites with his

childhood friend Kevin and “Black” was a nickname that he used for Chiron. In this final stage,

Chiron fully accepts his sexuality and in a way was able to come out to Kevin.

I can use the information that I have learned from the movie in my future work with

families and children, by creating conversations with parents and helping them understand that

both the world and society are constantly changing. The movie Moonlight has a lot of topics that

take place, that many families and children do not know how to deal with or they may relate to.

So I want to be able to help them understand what is happening and be able to provide any

resources that might be needed. This movie is a great example of how many children who are

part of the lgbtq+ community are bullied and are often not allowed to express themselves and

feel comfortable in their own skin.

What I will remember from the movie when working with others who are culturally

diverse, would be understanding their beliefs, values, and culture as a whole. This is because

many cultures and religions vary in their values, but I want to try and help others understand that

just because someone might identify themselves differently than others, what their background

is, or what their personal preference is, that should not matter and that everyone is human.

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 4 Barry Jenkins, Moonlight (2016)

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