In America, we are known as the melting pot, the country of diversity, where citizens can be who they want to be. We can be who we want to be, and look at ourselves however we want to; but how are others looking at us? In many cases, an individual does not even have a chance to make an impression on somebody, because they have already been judged simply by their physical aspects. The controversy of one's color has been around since the beginning of time. In the history of the United States, the racism against African American's has put them through much oppression, and many walls have been built up over the years between African Americans and other ethnic groups. As a result of the barrier between these ethnic groups, the movie Jungle …show more content…
We see an example of this when Drew yells at Flipper, saying "the issue is your so black you have a problem!" Gaitor also belittles black when he says that he "swears before God and white people" when claiming he will not ask for money. In this statement Gaitor is saying that white people are sacred, and they are basically above everyone else and can be compared to God. Drew and her friends realize after they find that Flipper has been unfaithful that they are loosing all of their black men. One of Drew's friends states that there "aint a good black man out there", which is a major symbolic shot to the labeling of African American's. African Americans may look down on themselves because they are a minority group in America compared to white people. According to Henslin a minority group's physical or cultural traits are held in low esteem by the dominant group, who treats them unfairly (266). Flipper's father talks of the white women, or the dominant group as being a "pure" race compared to other races. White women are seen in his eyes as very high up on the social status, with much power.
The reason many people in America today, as well as in the movie are racist is because this is how they were brought up, by the labels they were taught to live by. Past generations were exposed to segregation between ethnic groups, which has greatly carried on to how people look at others today. Up until 1967 it was prohibited for blacks to marry white people in 38 states
Moore, W. (2011). The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. New York, NY: Random House
Henslin, J. (2011). Essentials of Sociology: A Down To Earth Approach. Boston, MA: Allyn &
Chapter six brings a different approach at introducing the importance of sociology. This chapter, focuses upon the historical significance of American sociology as society knows of it today. It discusses many different aspects of sociology, but it intentionally focuses on these important aspects that include: “The Chicago school”, sociologists whom attributed to American sociology, and the rise of female sociologists. These three fundamentals establish the overall history of American sociology.
(Schaefer R 2011 Sociology: A Brief Introduction)Schaefer, R. (2011). _Sociology: A Brief Introduction_. (9th ed) New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Imagine a person being labeled as inferior because of a complexion they cannot control. African Americans have been treated unfairly solely because of the color of their skin throughout history. The idea behind this is what is defined as colorism, which is the prejudice or discrimination against individual with a dark skin tone, typically among people of the same ethnic group (Oxford Dictionary). Colorism has been prominent throughout history, allowing discrimination and hatred towards people with darker skin, more specifically African Americans. In a world filled with racism, prejudice, discrimination, colorism is another factor that has similar effects when it comes to the treatment of African Americans. Martin Luther Kings Jr.’s, “Letter from Birmingham Jail” and Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man both connect to the role that colorism plays in the lives of African Americans. Martin Luther King’s letter explicitly explains how society influences colorism and how it creates injustices. Ellison’s novel gives further insight on the more psychological and personal affect colorism has on Black people by using lots of symbolism in the novel throughout the novel to portray it. Constantly being put down because of how dark someone is will eventually lower an individual’s confidence, knowing that they will miss out on opportunities simply because they have darker skin. Colorism negatively affects how people treat African Americans and also how African Americans feel about themselves.
“ Some of these early productions have racial themes which reorganize the world in such a way that black heritage is rewarded over white paternity; they are schematic renunciations of the prevailing order of things in white American society where, historically, the discovery of black blood meant sudden reversal of fortune, social exclusion, or banishment.” (Gaines, P.3) Within the movie the amount of mistruths about African Americans was sad. Within the movie you notice that the blacks were always or seem to be yelling, acting uncivilized and doing
By explaining the humanistic perspective proposed by him, the author convincingly demonstrates that sociology is more than its methods, such as surveying, or its theories. There are many sociological theories, but they all are part of the fundamental vision of all processes as the effects of human interactions. Berger (1963) often refers to his own experience of being a sociologist, and this adds reliability to his arguments. Also, despite beginning the book in a light and humorous manner, the author further turns to complicated scientific notions and perspectives; this shows his expertise and makes the book’s major thesis more persuasive.
The degree of connection between all of the characters in the movie is so coincidental and interrelated to emphasize the point that we do not always know what is going on with everyone else we may encounter. It also accentuates the fact that racism is not one particular race against another. It also shows that we never know someone’s situation and what is happening in their life to make them act the way that they do if
If a movie of this sort had such an emotional impact on me, it is no wonder people embraced these ideas back then. The use of new and popular media methods in those days was more than adequate in transferring the black inferiority ideas to the general public. Beginning at the early 19th century with the happy, dancing, toothless, drunken Negro with big, bold and white lips to the image of the mid 21st century African-American, the media has always used these images to convey inferiority. These images implied inherent traits in the black community. This whole community was represented in the new media as one who can not be collateralized and integrated in to society without being happily enslaved. Most of these images had great commercial values that made it all the more impossible for the rest of the nation not to embrace the African American stereotypes.
The emotional reaction that the filmmakers intended for anyone who watch this film is that no matter what skin, hair and eye color is no one deserves to be labeled. No race should be discriminated and criticize. We should all get along and just be proud of where our roots come from. This film also intended for everyone who watch this film, is that there should not have to be obstacles to be proud of your own race.
Henslin, J, Possamai, A & Possamai-Inesedy, A 2011, Sociology: A down-to-earth approach, Pearson, Frenchs Forest NSW.
The majority of the racism involved in the movie is towards the negro population. They are perceived as thugs, thieves and
The movies came out at a time when the country was at unrest in regards to new age racism. Racism today is well documented through the use of social media s compared to the past. In addition, the time period in which the movies were set people were afraid to express their opinions on racism due to fear of retaliation from the whites but this is not the case today. People are expressing their opinion in regards to racism be it through social media or peaceful protest such as the popular kneeling by Colin Kaepernick a football quarterback. The
Kendall, Diane, Jane Lothian Murray, Rick Linden. Sociology in Our Times. Scarborough, Ontario: Thomson Canada Limited, 2004.
Funny thing about sociology: Time, a lot of time is goes into coming up with a sociology question. The question is reworded over and over then checked for structure and sociologic imagination. The rewording may starts again with a few tweaks here and there. Finally, with a large sigh of relief the masterpiece is done, the question is asked. One will sit back and admire their question only to realize the real work is about to start.