For some people, race may be a touchy subject – it’s easier to sweep it under the rug, to remain silent and dormant, than deal with its harsh realities.

However, ignoring the issue of race doesn’t mean that it’s disappeared; it’s merely a temporary way to avoid issues centuries in the making.

But “Crash,” the highly anticipated new film from director Paul Haggis, the Academy-Award-winning writer of “Million Dollar Baby,” will shake those dust-filled rugs out and slap them hard against the wall to expose issues and topics that affect us all; race and intolerance in America and within ourselves.

“There are shades of gray in this film ... good and bad,” said “Crash” co-star Ryan Phillippe. “But we all have both within us.”

Viewers may bring their own prejudices and preconceptions to the film. Haggis’ powerful story, about a group of ethnically and culturally diverse Los Angeles residents whose lives collide over a 36-hour time span, has the power to change them all.

“I kept hearing that the film was going to be about race and stereotypes, but I think it was deeper than that,” said Careen Harris, who attended a recent preview screening of the film.

However, many racial slurs and stereotypes were blurted by characters throughout the film, touching upon race was just the tip of the iceberg for Haggis.

The film is not meant to magnify stereotypes, but rather to let viewers create their own assumptions of the characters in the film, then counteract those assumptions with the unforeseen, said Haggis.

"Crash" evokes critical thought for the audience, he added, and forces the audience to take a few steps back and examine themselves and the ways in which “we perceive the world around us.”

“Every initial judgment I made about the characters, I ended up being wrong, and realized that they all had some of the same concerns and issues to deal with,” said Harris.

A talented and ethnically diverse cast came together to create what may become this summer’s most controversial film. Sandra Bullock, Ryan Phillippe, Larenz Tate, Terrance Howard, Don Cheadle, Jennifer Esposito, Matt Dillon and Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, will all receive a very necessary reality check by the roll of the credits.

Haggis said everyone likes to judge people and that is why he developed the characters the way he did. He gives the audience a chance to feel comfortable enough with the characters to judge them immediately, and then, through a series of unfortunate events, the characters' true identities are revealed, allowing the audience to see their idea of the characters shift right before their eyes.

And Haggis succeeded in his mission. No character wound up being the person initially assumed in the beginning of the movie.

“‘Crash’ talks about who we are - not about the bad guy over there - but who we are as people,” said Haggis.

Haggis also said he hopes “Crash” succeeds not so much in pointing out our differences, but in recognizing our shared humanity.

“We all want the same things; respect, to keep a job, (and) support from our family,” said Haggis.
As if waving his finger at all of humanity, in a nice way of course, Haggis said we are all guilty of making immediate decisions about each other and judging one another.

“When we’re put under the scope we’re all determined by our actions who we are,” Haggis said.

In a country as ethnically diverse as the United States, “Crash” will give anyone who sees it something they can relate to. The film is realistically raw and its in-your-face dialogue can do nothing other than capture the attention of anyone who sees it.

Haggis said we discriminate against each other in everyday life, and he said he has seen how we rationalize and excuse it. He also said we organize our lives so that we don’t have to deal with prejudice and discrimination, and how we deny racial problems exist.

But it does exist stronger than ever, according to black studies professor Oba T’Shaka.

“Race is so much a part of the fabric of society,” said T’Shaka. “And denial is often proof of reality.”
And a dose of reality is what “Crash” provides its audience.

“I want (the audience) to be challenged,” said Haggis. “I don’t want them to think they're being preached to.”

“Crash” is rated R and opens in theaters everywhere May 6.