Violence is Colorblind: The Social Philosophy of Dirty Harry

Dirty Harry is easily one of the greatest movies. Ever.

I know what you're thinking.  Did he fire six shots or only five? Being as this is a .44 Magnum – the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself one question:

Do I feel lucky?

Well, do ya, punk?……

How could it NOT be?

Before Jon Baker and Frank Poncherello.

Before Roger Murtaugh and Martin Riggs.

Before Inspector Lee and James Carter

Before James "Sonny" Crocket and Ricardo "Rico" Tubbs.

Before all of them, there was Inspector “Dirty Harry” Callahan and Chico Gonzalez.

Dirty Harry was released in 1971 – six years after the Watts Riots in L.A., which developed, for the most part, due to a longstanding culture of accepted police brutality. Dirty Harry initiates discussion by sanctifying its depictions of police brutality removing racial elements from the (anti) heroes equation.

The film opts to deal with race by addressing ethical constructs of its criminals, victims, and the cops who live in the universe portrayed on screen – everyone is a different color.

Callahan’s social philosophy; his civil rights creedo is obvious. On multiple occasions he treats everyone equally, with bitter cynicism.

Crafting Inspector Callahan as a larger then life character, (more akin to Judge Dredd than any real police officer) creates a fundamentally problematic stipulation: police brutality is okay…but only if its committed by Clint Eastwood.

Inspector Callahan's undivided hate contrasts the racially charged environment of the 60's and 70's. But what does the film really say about civil rights?

Despite Spike Lee’s hatred of the guy, (he does play the racist old man a little too well), in Dirty Harry’s universe, if you’re a criminal – it doesn't matter what you look like, Inspector Callahan doesn't believe in civil rights for the uncivil.

Harry Callahan: Well, when an adult male is chasing a female with intent to commit rape, I shoot the bastard. That's my policy.

Mayor: Intent? How did you establish that?

Harry Callahan: When a naked man is chasing a woman through an alley with a butcher's knife and a hard-on, I figure he isn't out collecting for the Red Cross!

Inspector Callahan perfectly portrays law enforcement from a different era, when a man, regardless of color could pay another man to beat him half to death.

If there is one thing that Inspector Callahan shows us it’s this:

Violence is Colorblind

-Mike Fierce