Extra Credit: Race: The Power of an Illusion

This movie was basically a movie to shatter all preconceived notions of race. As we grow up, we figure out what race we belong to, and the stigmas, and appropriate behaviors based on that race. We learn where different races live, and how they interact. Mostly the race that this movie, and I am talking about has to do with skin color. People with more melanin, have darker skin, and in some instances, the skin can become really dark, to the point where people decided that this was a race, one that would be described it as being “black”. Skin color is the basis for when we draw the color line between different races.
The fact that we learn these things as a kid is absurd. There are no real differences that we can trace to racial groups. There is no one group of skin colors where every single person has a certain trait. Also, as we progress, we are accepting interracial relationships more and more, making it nearly impossible to judge race, and at some time, or some point it is chosen. In the case of Tiger Woods, his race was chosen for him. If I were to ask anyone what race Tiger woods is, most would say black, or African American. But in reality, he is as much Thai (Thailand), as he is African American. He refers to himself as a Cablinasian (a mixture of Caucasian, Black, American-Indian, and Asian), so not even he has decided on one race. So how can we judge him? Should he accept the black sterotypes, of a ghetto thug, who is involved in gang violence, or mabye a caucasian rich boy, who cares about nothing but himself. Mabye we could catagorize him as a drunk that owns a casino, or a Entrepreneur who owns a black hair product store. When in fact, all of theese negative statistics, and figures, and de facto sterotypes, hold no water. Tiger woods is a champion golfer, nothing more, nothing less, because of his race.
Overall, I agree with this movie. Race doesn’t exist in our society. We, as a people created race, and continue to create it everyday. In the early 1900’s African Americans were lazy idiots, who deserved to work, now some are esteemed as track stars, and gagsters. The most important thing is that our country is slowly moving away from the hurtful stereotypes, and it has a general theme, that everyone can succeed if we work hard.

Discussion Question

If Takaki thought it was important to write about the origination of slavery, and how terrible it was. Why is this part of history neglected in the history books? Is Takaki lying?

Ethnic Notions

This movie was primarily about the ways that African Americans were presented in American media. Today, the media reflects society’s overall view of different issues. The fact that Brittney Spears cut her hair, and that Anna Nicole Smith died, are apparently very important. This is proven because they are displayed all over the news, for no apparent reason, other than the fact that they are celebrities. Anna Nicole Smith was known most for an appearance in a Men’s Entertainment magazine, which has had a large impact that many view as negative on our society. But as a country, when we mourn our dead, we always esteem them as good. In the earlier times of our country, our media showed us how blacks were esteemed. In many productions, they are given monkey faces, and made to look like buffoons. This is probably because the public viewed African Americans as idiots, who couldn’t help themselves from looking stupid. They were also placed in roles that were unimportant, often seen sitting, or making music, never doing something “important”. This was inadvertently ingraining the fact that blacks were lazy into young people’s heads. The TV shows also encouraged stereotypes, which had much deeper meanings than portrayed; such as a large black female nanny. At first glance, it just looks like a nanny cares for the kids, and has love in her heart despite her circumstances. But at the same time is speaks on a lot more, in that the nanny does not have a man in her life. She is not a sexual being of any sort; also, it speaks badly on the actual mother, who we seldom see. She is off doing something either important, or bathing, or spending money. It shows the audience, that the mother does not care about the children as much as the nanny does. Many “under the radar” allusions are made. In today’s society, noting of this sort is possible. Lawsuits and racial hate crimes would occur if a network tried to show a television show demeaning a certain race. The only things that come close are comedic shows, which get most of their laughs, by crossing the moral normalcy line. This movie is a great awakening for people who do not believe the media is important, or that it is influential. This movie shows the unique relationship between the media, and the people. The media needs people to create stories, and the people need the media to compare their lives to those other than their own.

Brown is the new Black – (T Chap. 3)

African Americans were not esteemed like many newcomers are. In the movie The road to el Dorado, the newcomers are esteemed as Gods, and are treated with the utmost respect, and reverence. African Americans were not that way. In fact one of the first images associated with the African Americans is Caliban. Caliban is a character in the play The Tempest and he is a bastard child of a demon and an African Witch. These things are the exact opposite. God’s and demons are considered more different than the colors White and Black in many religions. This is just one example of how the dominant society in a group oppressed the Blacks during the beginnings of slavery. Many people argue that there where white indentured servants during the time, and that blacks were not the only ones oppressed, which is a true statement. In fact, in the beginning of servitude, there were more indentured servants, that had to pay off the fare for their ride. All of this is true, it wasn’t until later that the buyers realized that slaves were a better “deal”. Indentured servants would only be working for about 4-7 years, whereas slaves would work for a lifetime, and maybe even provide heirs. This was by far a better deal, and the power exerted would pay off in the long run. The winter had harsh effects on the recently relocated, and they needed a way to get back on their feet, quickly. They didn’t have enough knowledge to survive, so they used manpower. And, of course they used the most efficient, cheap way possible, slaves. When I first read this, I was confused, because the pilgrims moved away, because of religious persecution, so how could they take others lives, and turn them into sob stories. Especially if the blacks became Christians! How could they dare take a fellow brother and beat him? Some of the leaders realized this, and then took action. They passed a law, informing the general public, that even if a person claims to be a Christian, “no negro or Indian”, should be allowed to purchase Christians. After laws like this, it’s evident that the colonists were not only looking for religious freedom, but also economic success. After a series of racial laws, and misconceptions, the “giddy multitude” that Takaki talks about was formed. A multitude that could change society in a day, a multitude that could be more powerful in itself than all of the government official combined. Obviously the colonists did not mean for this to happen, they were blinded by economic success, and greed.