Racism in Film Essay - 2717 Words

Racism in Film Throughout the history of film in the United States, the depiction of race has only changed slightly. Although, the display of various races in film is pertinent to the specific time period in which the film was made, films have, for the most part, always portrayed white superiority over other races. People of color have traditionally been presented in a negative way (if presented at all) that helps to maintain the status quo where whites are at the top of the social hierarchy. A few common methods are used to elicit the issues and depiction of race, in the films, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Glory, and Bamboozled. According to Stephanie Larson, the three common methods that are used in film to depict racial†¦show more content†¦In fact, all but one of the doctors and nurses in the entire mental institution are white, the exception being an Indian doctor (from India). While all of the esteemed employees are white, the workers who have less significa nt jobs are all black. This presents an imbalance between two races and depicts the whites as having a white privilege. The inequality between the two races is a system-supportive theme that depicts blacks in a negative way, and promotes the status quo and white superiority over blacks. Blacks are selectively excluded and stereotyped in a negative way throughout the entirety of the film, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. The black workers have very few lines in the movie and their main function is to subdue patients when they get out of control. Since they have a very limited role in the film, it is not possible to recognize any characteristics of these characters. There are acts of violence in most scenes that the blacks are included in. Therefore, the audience is inclined to make generalizations about blacks as a whole. Also, the black workers take orders from Nurse Ratched and the other white staff members and carry out whatever they are told to do. This represents the supe riority of whites. This film is racist towards blacks because they have no major role in the film, are seen as violent, and act solely as the pawns for Nurse Ratched and the rest of the white crew. Native Americans are depicted in the filmShow MoreRelated Racism In Animated Films Essay913 Words   |  4 PagesRacism in Animated Films While Disney animated films are the ideal family movies, it is undisclosed to many that such racism is being portrayed. Rarely do we ask about the origins and intentions of the messages we encounter through mass media; sometimes we forget that [producers] have origins or intentions at all (Lipsitz 5). The social inequality found in such popular culture can be due to several reasons. According to David Croteau and William Hoynes in Racial Crossroads, media contentRead MoreEssay on Racism in Disney Films2220 Words   |  9 Pageslions roar to their royal place in the animal kingdom. Disney films have captivated the American culture for years and have become a pivotal part of popular culture as well as a form of education. However, these films have devoured the youth of America and, in the process; have perpetuated an institutionally racist society based on harsh stereotypes. Minorities are often underrepresented, and even completely left out, of many Disney films such as Dumbo (194 1), The Lion King (1994), Aladdin (1992),Read MoreEssay on Racism in the Film Remember the Titans839 Words   |  4 Pagesare many lessons that every person should learn in their life. One of the most important lessons is that of racism. 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However, Hollywood films shot in more recent times and Hollywood’s attitude to non-white actors speak about the film studios’ hypocritical approach to racism, as Hollywood’s activities indirectlyRead MoreAnalysis Of The Movie Django Unchained 1275 Words   |  6 Pagesinvestigate the ideology of Racism in film. OxfordDictionaries.com describes racism as â€Å"Prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior.† When we, the audience think of racism in film, we traditionally think of movies for adults and often overlook the sinister aspect of racism in children’s films. I have chosen to contrast a recent R-rated film with a G-rated Disney movie from the 1990s. 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This reduction in racism is mainly the result of the success of the School’s football team, the Titans. Yakin uses numerous film techniques throughout the film such as lighting, camera shots, camera angles