Based on L.A. Schoolteacher Donald Baker’s novel Crips, South Central tells the story of young gang-banger Bobby who gets out of jail to find girlfriend Carole has given birth to his baby boy, and is addicted to PCP and under the thumb of local pimp Genie Lamp. Bobby’s charismatic homeboy (and Deuces gang-leader) Ray Ray, wants Genie Lamp out of the way, and convinces Bobby to take action. Bobby kills Genie and goes back to jail for another 10 years. During his second stretch, Bobby meets Ali, a longtime prisoner who mentors Bobby in the ways of Muslim life, teaching him self-respect and discipline. He gives Bobby books to read, including the works of W.E.B. Du Bois and Martin Luther King Jr. and explains the true nature of gang life, how violence perpetuates violence. When Bobby is released from prison Ali urges him to get his boy and get out of the gang life. When Bobby returns to his neighborhood, he finds Carole working as a prostitute to supply her drug habit, and his son Jimmy, now 10 years old, already involved in the Deuces as a junior member and Ray Ray’s protégé. Eager to heed Ali’s teachings, Bobby tries to break his son out of the gang life and break the cycle of violence that threatens the youth of South Central.
