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I chose to analyze the movie The Help which is based off of the novel written by Kathryn Stockett during 2009. The movie was released in theaters in August of 2011 and has won many awards. The story setting is in Mississippi during the 1960s where people of color were still be oppressed. Specifically the story is referring to the maids who take care of white families during this time period. Skeeter is a college girl who is pursuing a career in journalism and is coming home from college to interview the families who take care of the white families. These maids are people of color and describe the type of treatment they receive from the families they take care of. The housekeeper for her best friend’s family is the first women to talk to Skeeter and answer the questions she has. However, the more Aibileen talks, the more other women begin to talk to Skeeter and answer questions as well. People were very unhappy that Skeeter continued to interview these women because essentially they were exposing these families for being racist and rude towards them. Since Skeeter is a white women, people thought she was in the wrong for releasing all of this information about the white families and how they treat their housekeepers. I think the importance and connection between this story and this class is that we are continuing to learn how people are still being oppressed in today’s society. The negative treatment that was occurring in the 60s is mirrored today by certain individuals towards people of color. Even though we have progressed as a society, it does not mean we have completely gotten rid of it. There are still people who feel superior over others because of physical traits. Skeeter made an important choice and decided to air out the injustice actions and words people were being faced with. As a society today, we need to continue to air out the bad decisions and hold people accountable in order to create long-lasting change.

Green Book is a American film talking about the true story of a tour of the Deep South by Don Shirley, an African American pianist, and Italian American Tony Lip. The Green book was used for identifying the place that would accept African American travelers during segregation era in the United States. The film made a big contrast that Don Shirley was a famous pianist and lived in a mansion, but Tony Lip was a guard and lived in small apartment. In the film, Shirley hired Tony as his driver for his 8-week concert tour in Midwest and Deep South. During 8 week concert trip,

We could see many racial discriminations happed and Dr.Shirley was treated badly. For example, when Dr.Shirley wanted to use room toilet during the concert intermission, the house owner refused his request due to his black identity, and asked Dr.Shirley to use outside toilet for colored people, which was racism. In the last stop of concert, Dr.Shirley also didn’t allow to have dinner in the restaurant where invited him to play piano. Dr.Shirley was lonely, because he wasn’t accepted by white and black groups. African Americans seemed him like high educated pianist, who had different socioeconomics with them. Tony taught Dr.Shirley how to eat fried chicken, which was popular food throughout African Americans, but Dr.Shirley had never eaten this, which alluded that Dr.Shirley lived totally different situation with normal African Americans.  Americans treated him as “others” due to his black identity.

Furthermore, Tony helped Dr.Shirley to find the true self. Tony took Dr.Shirley to African American music club nearby the restaurant, and appealed Dr.Shirley to play piano. At first, Dr.Shirley refused it, because he considered African Americans could not understand what was he playing. When many people around Dr.Shirley knew he was a famous pianist, and asked him to play. After he played the piano, all people applauded and admired his talent in playing piano. In the end, Dr.Shirley recognize his black identity and found out real himself.  I believe the film conveys an idea of equality. Each group has their own identity and culture, and people should not only respect others but also recognize their own unique identity and culture. 

Reference:

https://www.universalpictures.com/movies/green-book

The 2012 film Red Tails by Anthony Hemingway tells the story of Tuskegee Airmen, who were African-American fighter pilots who fought in Italy during World War II. The film details the actions of the Airmen as well as how the men had to overcome racism and discrimination in both Italy and the Military in order to garner respect and recognition. Although the film follows the actions of several of the Tuskegee Airmen, the two characters who seem to be the primary focuses of the film are Captain Marty Julian and 1st Lieutenant Joe Little, who serve as foils for one another as they both experience their own individual struggles due to their respective situations, while constantly have conflicting opinions on how to approach certain situations. Moreover, Captain Julian deals with alcoholism, while 1st Lieutenant Little deals with the challenges of being in a relationship with an Italian woman, during a time period that was extremely racist and prejudiced and when interracial relationships were looked down upon. In addition to that, these men experienced severe transgressions and acts of racism throughout their time in the military. To add to their obstacles, their white counterparts did not believe that African-Americans had the capability of being adequate fighter pilots and were very demeaning towards them. in spite of this, the Tuskegee Airmen got the opportunity to show the military their talent when they came into contact with a group of German fighter pilots and forced them to retreat. As time went on, they finally got the opportunity to escort the USAAF Bomber crew and successfully did so, which allowed them to gain respect from the white members of the military. The airmen’s final task was to only escort the Bomber Crew halfway to Berlin. During this mission, the Tuskegee airmen encountered the German fighter pilots again, they successfully defended the Bombers, but unfortunately Lieutenant Little died in the battle. The Airmen were later honored for their accomplishments and were awarded with a Presidential Medal.

This movie was a very prominent event because it acknowledged the courage and bravery of the Tuskegee Airmen. Many people were unaware of the challenges that these men faced, not only fighting in a war, but also dealing with the challenges of adapting to life in Italy away from their families in the United States, as well as combating racism and discrimination within the United States’ Military. In this class we’ve read multiple texts that detail how difficult adapting to a new culture and life in a different country can be and I believe that this movie does a great job of highlighting this issue. Furthermore, the release of this film was also significant because it showed how difficult it was and still is for Black Americans to get respected, due to the fact that the story of the Tuskegee Airmen was not told until nearly 70 years after the conclusion of World War II.

The fictional, sci-fi universe of the Red Rising book series, written by Pierce Brown, includes a discussion of cultural identity and societal inequality on a far-reaching scale. Brown’s fictional world includes human beings that have genetically evolved into different Colors, 14 to be exact, that all exist in a social hierarchy. At the top of the social scale are the Golds, a physically and mentally superior caste of humans that rule over the other colors in a ravishing display of pride and power. At the bottom of the totem pole are Reds, lowly miners that exist to act as servants and pioneers, mining the valuable chemical Helium-3 for the other Colors to use. 

The book centers around Darrow, a lowly Red miner that faces tragedy at the hands of the Gold ruling class and fights back, undergoing a surgery to become a genetically enhanced Gold. Throughout his journey, Darrow must confront the reality of a socially segregated system, and fight through the distasteful realities of a humanity separated into castes. Darrow learns to live for more, to live not for vengeance, but for a dream that he might one day see his people free. His newfound status evokes strange emotions as he struggles to retain this dream for his people on the other end of an unjust society. 

The structure of power in this story is inherently complex, as Darrow must balance his upbringing as a slave with his new status as the “master.” Darrow experiences, as de Beauvoir would describe it, a transition from “the Other” to “the One” (deBeauvoir). He must break down the injustices of his society from the position of the oppressor. In writing the Red Rising series, author Pierce Brown undoubtedly wanted to make the reader question our own society. His literature mirrors life in uncanny ways, even touching on the brutality of the police and military towards civilians of different ethnic groups. Brown wants the mistakes of his fictional society to be examined critically, to ensure that similar rifts that we see in the modern day are addressed in order to form a more equitable tomorrow. Darrow’s journey is long and arduous, but Brown wants to show us that the path to equality is never easy. However, all it takes a dream and a people willing to rise up and stand strong for what is right.

The text I would like to focus on comes in the form of a 3:30 song. Chanel by Frank Ocean is a hit song released in 2017 with over 400 million listens on Spotify. This song short but powerful explains numerous struggles of Frank such as his sexuality struggles as well as being a black man in modern America. The songs opening line hints at the meaning and struggle behind the song. “My guy pretty like a girl, and he got fight stories to tell, I see both sides like Chanel”. This opening line introduces Frank’s struggle with sexuality because he hints at bisexuality but still has a “masculine” concept of fighting with his partner. Later in the song Frank Ocean uses phrases more commonly found in stereotypical rap such as “I need that b**** to grind on my belt”. Phrases like this are more commonly found in music degrading women and he might have thrown it in to solidify his “masculinity”.

Another concept found throughout the sound is being Black in America and the struggles that come with it. Lyrics such as “Police think I’m of the underworld, 12 treat a ***** like he twelve” which likely refers to how Tamir Rice was shot and killed by police when he was only 12 years old. He clearly says that police look and treat him differently and assume he is up to no good simply based on his appearance instead of his actions.

The overwhelming theme on this track is “othering” and how Frank has been othered by society for being black as well as his internal struggle of being bisexual. Since society has not particularly been fond of men who do not show stereotypical masculine traits, Frank portrays this othering in his work. He must include lyrics that are more stereotypical of men in the industry to fit in. He discusses his experiences to open and hope that more and more people become accepting of others.

Link to Lyrics: https://genius.com/Frank-ocean-chanel-lyrics

Jo-Vaughn Virginie Scott, better known as Joey Bada$$, writes about the struggles of growing up as an African American in his studio album, ALL AMERIKKKAN BADA$$. Listeners are taken on a journey through the perspective of Joey Bada$$ and the injustices that he faced while growing up. The main theme throughout the album is how racism is an ongoing problem that the African American community is facing. Primarily, Joey Bada$$ highlights the fact that there is a divide in this country. In his album, it seems as if he is preaching to the country of America and addressing its problems directly. Problems such as police brutality, racism and social injustice are all talked about in his album. Even in the title Joey labels America as “Amerikkka”, signifying that our country still is backed by the racist principles that it was founded upon.

One of the most profound songs on the album is, “Babylon”. In this song, Joey tackles police brutality and mistreat of African Americans specifically. He writes, “Tell me America is the land of the free, that’s a lie… cause nobody, nuh free ‘bout yah”. In these lyrics he is mocking the title, “land of the free”. This land may be free for white Americans, but the mistreatment of blacks throughout American history can really make people question the identity of their country.

One topic that we learned in class that is prevalent throughout the album is the concept of the Otherness. Joey Bada$$ constantly points out the mistreatment of African Americans in each of his songs in the albums. Specifically, he focuses on the fact African Americans are at a disadvantage right from the start. In this specific environment, African Americans are considered as the Others, while white Americans are considered the One. There is a divide between these two groups as one is treated far better than the other. This minority, majority identities are constructed by the systematic injustices that America has in place. There isn’t enough representation in the African American community. Joey Bada$$ uses his platform and voice to highlight the problems that African Americans are facing. He wants to eliminate this majority, minority groups and in turn create a singular holistic group.

The Queen’s Gambit is a limited series that primarily takes place in the 1960’s and 1970’s during the Cold War. The setting of this story is in the United States, where a young girl named Beth Harmon in an orphanage learns to play chess and eventually turns it into a career for herself. Although the main obstacle she faces ends up being a problem with alcohol addiction. One of the other challenges she has to overcome is the fact that she is a woman in a sport/game that is dominated by males. Being a prodigy, she starts getting recognition right away. At first, after learning how to play chess from the janitor of her orphanage, she is surprised that when she tries to enroll in a chess tournament no one takes her seriously. To me this story represents an obstacle that a lot of woman have had to go through in their careers. Men don’t take her seriously and this makes it very hard for her to get her foot in the door. I think that this is seen even in today’s society especially in the work force. It is hard for women to be taken as seriously as men in many industries just because they are females. This to me is an example of “othering” as Hegel describes in his literature. Not only do women have struggle to get their foot in the door, they also many times struggle to get equal pay and many other equalities within their work force.

As Beth climbs up the chess world, she starts defeating her competitors with ease. As the season progresses she ends up traveling to Russia for the world championships. Mind you, this is during the Cold War so tension between the United States and Russia is at an all-time high. One of the things that stuck out to me is the reception she gets from some of the Russian chess players. I find it interesting that the Russian players seem to be more accepting of her as a woman. I think that this might be differences in culture, or maybe just because she has made a name for herself at this point in the story. After seeing this mini-series, the obstacles that Beth Harmon had to go through because of the fact that she was a woman really stuck out to me, and I think had a lot to do with her addiction to alcohol that eventually becomes her biggest obstacle she has to deal with.

The Hate U Give is a novel written by Angie Thomas as a commentary on police brutality in America, particularly against black people. Starr Carter, a teenager living in two very different worlds at school in a predominantly white upper class neighborhood, and at home, in a predominantly black and poor community, grapples with how to form her identity and embrace both sides of herself. The novel begins with Starr at a party in her neighborhood, which turns dangerous and chaotic so she runs out. One of her childhood friends, Khalil Harris, another black teenager, offers her a ride home. They get pulled over by the police, and Starr witnesses the officer shoot and kill Khalil outside the car. The rest of the novel follows Starr trying to understand how her peers in Garden Heights, her neighborhood, and her peers at Williamson Prep, understand and view each other as “others”. Starr eventually becomes an activist to protest police brutality and be a voice for Khalil. 

Throughout the novel, Starr struggles with her rich, white friend’s understanding of her as a black girl and her peers in the neighborhood that she grew up in. She faces racism at Williamson Prep, mostly due to her white friend’s ignorance. Starr’s identity at Williamson Prep, as one of the only black girls, is a stark contrast to her identity in Garden Heights. She feels Othered in both places, too black for one, and not “black” enough in the other. Her peers at Williamson Prep are racist toward her, and demonstrate their racism especially in their comments on Khalil’s murder at the hands of police. They did not know that Starr was there and witnessed it. Meanwhile, her peers in Garden Heights criticize her for spending time with her rich white friends and not with her neighbors.

The police killing of Khalil in the novel was a clear example of injustice, one that we see far too often in our own reality day to day. The identities throughout the novel really mirror situations in reality. White people and black people in America are still divided in how we get to live our lives, especially in how we get to perceive policing in America with different skin colors. The other clash in identity is between people of different socioeconomic classes in America. I think the author, Angie Thomas, wanted to create a narrative that people of any race can read and empathize with, especially since there are so many situations of police brutality happening in this country. As a white person, I found this novel helpful in learning what microaggressions are and how they are presented, as well as a small insight to some things that a young black girl might face that I never had to.