Social Construction of Reality in "A Bronx Tale"

In the film "A Bronx Tale," the neighborhood that Collegero, or "C", grew up in was socially contructed based on the environment and the people that occupied it. There were no written rules to help with the construction of the community, but everybody who lived there knew them. In my opinion, one of the people who played a significant role on the rules and expectations of the community was Sonny. Sonny had the master power to help with whatever was needed, or to kill whatever was needed. However, Sonny's power didn't come about out of respect and admiration, but it was the outcome of fear. Under the fear of Sonny, people knew to respect him, and to respect everybody else that Sonny would want you to respect. The community knew that if Sonny asked for something to be done, it had to be done. They knew that they could not deny Sonny of anything that he asked, because there would be a consequence. Also, it was known that the African Americans and the Italians did not get along, and they weren't supposed to interact. I think that this came about because of racism and because of just following what the rest of the people in the community were doing. Nobody thought to step out and befriend people of that race, so when C met Jane, an African American girl, C thought that there was going to me some issues. He thought that both the community and Sonny would judge him and there would be severe consequences for him having interest in an African American. However, Sonny threw a curveball when C told him about Jane, and Sonny told him to go for it. That is another example of how Sonny had power over the community. Basically, whatever Sonny said goes, and if he approved, everything seemed okay. Sonny was the dominant character with forming the construction of the community in the film. Sonny had the power to control the community because everybody feared him. They feared that if they stepped out of line, their lives would be more difficult or would even be put into danger. Sonny had the group and the connections to basically rule, so the took advantage of it. Without a figure like Sonny, I think the rough community would lack protection. Sure there would be police to help, but I believe the neighborhood would be more dangerous. So, overall, the community was formed by Sonny taking charge, and everybody was secretly greatful for having somebody look over them.