Race is an important factor in shaping personal identity for many individuals, especially African Americans. Films play a significant role in representing different races and their personal identities on screen. The portrayal of race and its impact on personal identity can be seen in two films, Blade II (2022) and The Matrix (1999). This paper aims to explore how these films depict African American personal identity or racial heritage, compare and contrast the two films, and how they define or construct a national identity.
Blaxploitation as a genre is not present in the two films, Blade II and The Matrix. Blaxploitation refers to a subgenre of exploitation films that were made in the 1970s and featured predominantly African American casts.
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Blade II and The Matrix are two examples of how African American personal identity or racial heritage can be depicted on screen. Both films present fully-formed characters who are defined by their personalities and motivations, rather than their race. While Blade II presents its African American lead as a powerful and dominant character, The Matrix portrays its African American lead as a wise and guiding figure. Both films contribute to the construction of a national identity, with The Matrix offering a critique of the power structures and systems of control that exist in …show more content…
(2019, August 3). Blaxploitation Films to Know: ‘Dolemite,’ ‘Coffy,’ ‘Blacula’ & More. Variety. Retrieved from https://variety.com/gallery/blaxploitation-films-to-know-dolemite-eddie-murphy/im-gonna-git-you-sucka-1988/
IMDb. (1999). The Matrix (1999). Retrieved from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0133093/
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Crouse, R. (2015). Hollywood vs. history: Dolemite. Variety. https://variety.com/gallery/blaxploitation-films-to-know-dolemite-eddie-murphy/
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Racism is portrayed as a pervasive and deeply rooted problem in the movie. Specific examples of racism include the police officer's assumption that Khalil was dangerous solely based on his race, the media's biased portrayal of the incident, and the systemic racism within the criminal justice system. These instances highlight the unequal treatment and stereotypes faced by people of color. For teaching and learning, the film provides a platform for discussions on racial bias, prejudice, and the need for societal change.
The films that I chose to explore in this paper are Do the Right Thing by Spike Lee and Lone Star by John Sayles. Each film offers examples of counter narratives in my opinion. There are many examples of characters vying for both power and respect from characters of the other race. Spike Lee, however, has an undeniably unique style that offers a counter on many levels.
I have chosen to focus on the issue of racial stereotypes and biases, particularly regarding the movie "Boyz n the Hood. " The movie is an interesting crime drama film released in 1991 and directed by John Singleton. It mostly follows the lives of African-American youths growing up in the poverty-stricken neighborhoods of South-Central Los Angeles, especially the Crenshaw neighborhood. Analyzing this film is essential in understanding various assumptions and preconceived notions different audience members may bring and whether the movie reinforces or challenges those expectations. One of the assumptions and biases audience members may have in relation to the film is racial stereotypes.
Staring with Assata Shakur, who is a very smart and courageous woman. Being a part of Black Panther Party group and standing for equal rights retaliating with the same force the oppressive system gave. Assata unknowingly joined the Black Liberation Group in hopes of change for black Americans, but instead received tremendous amount of hate from the white society. Being targeted by the FBI and a secret counterintelligence agency called CoIntelPro. After the infamous 1973 shootout in New Jersey where she was shot twice and captured, Assata tried reasoning with the officials but they wouldn’t budge.
Tatum explores how people negotiate and understand their racial identity and how this affects their experiences and viewpoints, with effective use of the concept of "racial identity formation (Tatum, 2017). " From pre-encounter to internalization, the author thoroughly analyzes the many stages of racial identity development and how they affect people and their experiences. An in-depth analysis of the methods by which racial stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination are spread, as well as the effects they have on people and communities, is also provided by
THESIS Similar to many of the other selections we have read, to be Black in America is an enormous struggle. Through slavery, oppression, discrimination, and more; history has proven that this country was not built upon making individuals of African ancestry comfortable here. With the personal recollections of numerous horror stories of oppression, Assata Shakur goes on to explain how truly oppressed the Black individuals of America are.
Nevertheless, actually, many people have a strong racial prejudice. Anthony Walton reveals it in his work My Secret Life as a Black Man. He discusses the right of individual to personal identity and portrays an irreconcilable conflict between an individual's desire for authenticity and racial stereotyping and prejudices in society. Unfortunately, the power of stereotypes is manifested in all aspects of our life. Walton wants to distance himself from the society that tries to shape his views, attitudes and behavioral norms.
This film critiques the Hollywood system for its limited representation of people of color as well as the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes. In the dubbing sequence, Dash calls to attention the technique of dubbing where a white woman is dubbed by a black woman. This stylistic choice uses dubbing as a metaphor to represent black invisibility. Furthermore, the film shows how Mignon’s experiences are shaped by both her race and gender. Even though she is forced to hide her true identity and pass as a white woman in order to succeed in the film industry, illustrates the complexity of navigating her racial identity in a society that values whiteness above everything else.
Since a goal of transcoding would be to take the meaning of a films theme and remaking the plot but still something relating to the theme. An example of this is blaxploitation. Back during the mid-1900’s, such as the 60’s and 70’s, stereotypes for lead roles for antagonists/main characters in movies would be a white man, but it was rare if an African American male or even female were to play the role. But that would strike up publicity and popularity for the African Americans.
It is also easier to deny the reality when one is fixated on a popular myth that unequal treatments and racism ended. The so-called freedom society talks of in America does not apply to everyone. With the stereotypes formed, portrayed, and passed down, oppression continues in obvious and subtle ways. This film showed the affects the stereotypes have on people. Even with an understanding of history, the audience might find themselves rethinking American history and modern
As Smith uses his words to create a poetic trailer for this stereotype-free movie, he tells the story of a young African American boy. Rather than being focused on his color, he focuses on his
The disturbing truth emerges that our history is so filled with racism, that it has caused Disney to have a lack of emphasis on racial issues in films such as
Ethnicity and Hollywood Racism is always issues which take a huge part of American history. Until the twenty-first century, although people tried to make the country becomes the freedom and equality nation, these issues are still happening everywhere. According to "In Living Color: Race and American Culture," Stuart Hall argues that racism is still widespread in the society and "it is widely invisible even to those who formulate the world in its terms" (qtd. in Omi 683). Indeed, situations about race quietly exist in the movie industry, which "has led to the perpetuation of racial caricatures" to the majority audiences and even minority audiences (Omi 629).
I chose this film because it showed how hard the union workers and families worked in fighting racial injustices, and because it inspired myself to move forward with strong ideologies and pride. 2. Stereotyping in mass media was an important concern of Chicana/o media activists because it imprinted a demeaning label by only casting Chicana/o actors with "minor roles: villains, sidekicks, temptresses, where their main function is to provide the protagonists, typically a handsome white
Moreover, demonstrate consequences are taken to oppress racial and ethnic minorities to keep them in a subservient position. Overall, this film has provided me with a visual depiction of how stereotypes are a mental tool that enforces racial segregation and self-hate. The label of “White” became a necessity for Sarah Jane to achieve in society. To attain it she needed to move to a new city, change her name and deny her mother.