My favorite movie is Green Book, which tells the story of 1962 in the United States. A black pianist named Don Sherry hired a white gangman named Tony as a driver to drive all the way to the south for a music tour.This is the brilliant point of the film. It uses a relatively relaxed road film to complete the serious topic of equal rights for black people. As the conflict escalates step by step, there are many hilarious scenes of friction, and it turns the serious racism into a high-level comedy film.

Black pianist Don Shirley gave up his comfortable life in New York to tour the South in order to sow the seeds of racial equality. As his fellow musicians put it, “It is not enough to be a genius. It takes courage to change hearts.”Don plays the Steinway every time he asks for it, for no other reason than respect.Tang as a black, despite good family education, the skill of itself is a famous artist, but had to play in every time when playing classical music appreciation taste, to cater to the whites are still endured the coldly and unfair treatment of others, and his own culture and make him the unjust under restraint and forbear, believe dignity can overcome violence.In addition to race, there is Don’s sexual orientation, all prejudice is based on ignorance, the world is complex and colorful, respect for everyone’s differences, regardless of color, race, sexual orientation, respect for human equality.

One is not white enough, the other is not black enough, which happens to be the beginning of their mutual understanding.As they get along with each other every day, their personalities gradually change. Tony loses his prejudice, Don loses his stubbornness, and people of different skin tones coexist as equals. Tony becomes no longer irritable because of Tang’s grace, and Don no longer lonely because of Tony’s frankness.I hope we can meet such friends in our life, who will bring us warmth and affection.

There was a drama that was really popular in 2019 called Why Women Kill. The drama follows three women living in different eras: a housewife in the 1960s, a socialite in the 1980s and a lawyer in 2018, and how they deal with marital “infidelity” in different ways. This show not only reveal sexual difference but also depicts the cultural differences between people of different ages.
According to sexual differences, we can see from this drama in different ages, there are more or less repressed female consciousness. In the 1960s, Beth gave up her dream of becoming a piano player because her husband expected her to run the house and cook dinner. In the 1980s, Simone was unable to end her marriage to her openly gay husband because of public opinion. In 2019, Taylor seems to be the most independent female representative in the whole series. She has financial independence and an open marriage, but she never complains about her husband who has no job. However, if our roles were reversed, her situation as a woman might be completely different.
In the 1960s, Beth and Rob are typical of a strong-man, weak-woman marriage. Their nominally monogamous relationship is behind Rob’s constant infidelity and betrayal. Beth tolerated many times but did not get good results, so she chose to fight back.
In the 1980s, When it became public that Simone was in love with Tommy, an 18-year-old boy, it was Simone who was the first to be condemned. Despite Tommy’s efforts to explain that he was actively pursuing her, in the public eye the affair was just a ridiculous farce in which Simone used the female character to seduce Tommy.
In 2019, Taylor, the protagonist, is financially and emotionally responsible for taking care of her husband. This kind of excessive feminism is not supported by men, and the quarrel between two people often revolves around the fact that the woman is stronger than the man.
Why Women Kill shows how Social ideology or a deep-rooted historical side effect on women’s imprisonment. Despite the progress of culture, women still suffer discrimination from different aspects. Such discrimination may well end up, as the story ends, in murder. Despite for feminism , There are also microcosms of different eras. Although the show did not emphasize any ethnic content, the three protagonists with different skin colors reminded viewers of cultural differences and may think deeply about the status of women not only in marriage but also in the whole society.

In India under the caste system, the status of women is comparable to that of untouchables. The deep-rooted culture of male superiority and female inferiority influences the lives of ordinary people in the way of social unspoken rules. Women have always been in a position of being dominated and enslaved, and are regarded as tools for labor and men to vent their desires. Polygamy, child marriage, expensive dowries, and burial of husbands still exist in many places. Men can even kill women because they are dissatisfied with the lack of dowry or lack of dowry.

The story in the film takes place in a desolate and backward village in India. In the local culture, if a girl is an adult, she will be married to someone else. This situation can reduce the burden on the population at home. Just like the traditional thinking, a married daughter is like splashed water and cannot go home casually. This is also a manifestation of the low status of local women in India. It was against this cultural background that Champa returned to the village without authorization, which of course caused a lot of trouble to the people in the village. Faced with this problem, the village held a meeting to discuss countermeasures. At the meeting, the village elders demanded that Champa immediately return to his in-law’s house. What’s more desperate is that in the daily torture and mental torture of life, the oppressed women will unknowingly become insensitive, even Champa, who fled back to her natal home, cried to her mother about being gang raped and abused at her husband’s home. The confused mother still obeyed the instructions of the “Elders’ Corps” and cooperated with dragging her daughter into the car. She watched as her own flesh and blood was sent back to the hell on earth.

The whole movie reveals the tragic status of women in Indian society, such as “a woman who reads will become a bad wife” and “learn how to please your husband, otherwise you will not escape the destiny of being abandoned in the future.” This is a film showing the low status of Indian women, and it is also a film showing the escape of Indian women from the patriarchal society. In this movie, Rani and the other four finally gained freedom and happiness. The ending of the film also showed us the happy ending after the struggle. Any struggle is necessary and worthwhile. In fact, discrimination against women not only occurs in India, but also in many other regions.

Born a Crime is a memoir written by Trevor Noah, a south African comedian and host of The Daily Show. In this book, Noah focuses on the living conditions in South Africa during the Apartheid government. Trevor explains that the government separated people into three groups based on their color: white, black, and colored. Since Noah’s mom (Patricia) is a black Xhosa woman and his father (Robert) is a white male, causing Trevor’s birth a violation of apartheid laws preventing interracial sex. Noah was brought up by his mother, under harsh conditions due to widespread poverty among the non-white community. Noah explains that the apartheid government was abusing the differences between the ethnic groups in order to provoke fights between the groups to give the government more control over the country. He also mentions about the living conditions in the ghetto where the government forced native Africans to live. Since he was of mixed race, Noah states that he was able to see instances of injustices and inequalities against people of color. Soon after the release and election of South African President Nelson Mandela, democracy was existent in the society. However, Noah states that even though there was democracy, the government’s corruption was deeply ingrained. He highlights that even though the apartheid government has fallen, he saw many effects of its existence as colored people were restricted from basic rights such as education and healthcare, colored people were still living in poverty. Without education, colored people were not able to run their businesses and soon white businesses were still dominating the economy and had health insurances. Whereas Noah’s family were in debt and had no health insurance to cover the medical costs when his mother was shot in her head. The main point Noah tries to make is that even though a democratic government took over South Africa, the oppressed people were still facing the effects for many years. Throughout this book, we can observe many instances of systemic injustices against people of color. An instance of the theory mentioned in “Can the Subaltern Speak” can be observed, the apartheid government was abusing the cultural differences among people to control them and suppress the voices of ethnic groups. We can also observe the idea of  Othering. In this case, the apartheid government is “The One” and the people of ethnic groups would be considered as “The Other”. The government was oppressing, and controlling the people of ethnic groups by segregating them, suppressing their voices and using deadly force against them.

The TV drama Grey’s Anatomy provides many excellent examples of concepts we have learned in class and presents them to millions of viewers every Thursday night. The 17 seasons of Grey’s Anatomy tackles many social issues head on – including mental health, gun violence, domestic abuse, sexual assault, and alcoholism. Some concepts that could relate more closely to our class content include the show’s presentation of feminism, racial injustices, and health care reform.

The concept of feminism is present throughout every season of Grey’s Anatomy and is specifically exemplified through the main character: Meredith Grey. Dr. Grey is a leading female surgeon who makes her way through a primarily male-dominated field. Dr. Grey, as well as other female characters, experience hateful and degrading comments in the workplace due to their gender. In season 12, episode 3, Meredith stands up for herself – as she has not been receiving equal pay as some of her male colleagues. This is a great example of Othering and the concept of power, as females have historically been looked down upon – especially in the workplace. As this is a relevant topic, it is important that the media is portraying women in power who are successful and intelligent – fully capable of diminishing the role of the Other.

The latest season of Grey’s Anatomy has included many references to the Black Lives Matter movement. In one episode, the surgeons worked to save the lives of individuals who were peacefully protesting. Earlier in the series, Dr. Miranda Bailey (a black surgeon) must have “the talk” with her son. The audience watches as Dr. Bailey explains to her six-year-old son how he should interact with the police – no sudden movements, no hands in your pocket, no speaking. The show highlights the racial injustices that are ever present in our society and the systemic rooting of these issues. This could serve as another example of Othering and relates to racial issues discussed in our unit with MLK’s Letter from Birmingham Jail.

Lastly, the need for healthcare reform is highlighted throughout multiple episodes within Grey’s Anatomy. Throughout the series, there are many patients who are unable to attain life-saving treatment or surgery because they cannot afford health insurance. Meredith Grey grew up a privileged life, with her mother as a surgeon, her easily accessible education, and her now well-paying job. You can see her grow as a character as she begins to understand her privilege and how healthcare has been so accessible to herself. The show focuses on an intersectional viewpoint with healthcare – race, class, and even citizenship.

To Pimp a Butterfly is Kendrick Lamar’s third studio album, and earned him him 11 nominations at the Grammys in 2016. This album is not a traditional rap album, as it combines poetry mostly at the end of the tracks, some jazz, some soul and funk, and of course rap. This album is very politically charged, taking on issues of institutional racism, with a song titled “Institutionalized” along with many others, and racial inequality playing a large part in most of the songs, and discussing his own struggles with mental health and other facets of life throughout. In this Text Review, I will only be reviewing in depth certain songs throughout the album that allude to these main themes and the ideas we discussed in class.

The album opens with a track called “Wesley’s Theory”, alluding to Wesley Snipes who went to jail for tax evasion, Kendrick Lamar playing on the idea that“no one teaches poor Black males how to manage money or celebrity, so if they do achieve success, the powers that be can take it from right under them” (Kendrick Lamar). In the song, Kendrick makes many references throughout to racial divide and how the success of black artists are often taken from them and prone to temptations. The track also samples several old tracks and audio samples, including a line that says “we should never gave ****** money, go back home, money, go back home”. This line is obviously stating how people say that they should’ve never given black people money, or a chance to make it, and for the money to “go back home”, its home being white people. Later in the song, Kendrick starts off a verse listing off things that “Uncle Sam” is trying to seduce Kendrick with, at one point offering “forty acres and a mule”, which was a proposal for reparations to former slaves in the aftermath of the Civil War as a way to get a new life started. The allusions Kendrick make in this track alone, along with all of the other tracks on the album, display the hidden and in depth references Kendrick uses to show his feelings on the current state of racial inequality deeply rooted in society. Using Uncle Sam as a symbol of institutional racism rooted within the country, and how it is constantly affecting those like him and preying on their downfall.

This is just one example, in other songs he has lines such as “Lookin at the world like where do we go?” and “We hate po-po, wanna kill us dead in the street fo sho” revealing how he truly feels the state of his and other black lives are in. Left looking at the world about where they turn to now, police killing them in the streets (referencing trayvon martin along with many others). Also addresses several black stereotypes in “The Blacker the Berry”, listing off stereotypes by the dozen and how society wants him internalize the thought of being “just another slave” in his head.

This album overall is an extremely politically charged album, exposing all of the flaws in society in the form of racial inequality and systematic racism and injustice. Kendrick speaks from a perspective that has actually been through it all, and speaks of his experiences along with the stereotypes that he fights so hard against.

In Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird there are multiple plot lines within the novel this includes the plot of a trial of a black man Tom Robinson. Before going into the details of the trial it is important to understand the setting. The story takes place in Maycomb Alabama through the Great Depression at this time racism is still running rampant in the small town. Perspective of the story is mostly told in the third person but highlights the kids and their friends of the lawyer defending Tom. By doing this Lee is able to establish innocence of adolescence inside the novel which played a fascinating role throughout. When announced that Atticus would defend Tom a black man in the upcoming trial the town erupted given that Atticus is the best lawyer around. The news led to the kids of Atticus being bullied for him defending a black man. Tom is accused of raping and beating a white woman by the woman’s father Bob Ewell. After months of preparation Atticus had found plenty of evidence against this claim the strongest being the placement of the bruises on her neck. When considering Tom didn’t have a left hand at the time due to an accident earlier in life it would have been impossible for him to slap the left side of her face where the bruises appear. Going off this piece of evidence Atticus comes up with a theory that the had consensual sex and were caught embarrassed Bob beat her daughter when Tom fled the scene. With all the evidence presented the case should’ve been ruled not guilty but racism in the jury found him guilty of the crime. Later a mob forms outside the jailhouse wanting to lynch Tom when escaping Tom is shot to death by a guard.

A theme that can be pulled from the novel is racism isn’t a natural instinct people are born with it is taught. Atticus teaching his kids well has a group of innocence within his kids to the point where they are confused why it’s a big deal that their dad is doing this. When compared to the rest of the racist town that have taught their kids roots of racism these kids bully Jem and Scout. The extreme racist virtues in this town almost ends in death for Jem and Scout on Halloween as they are attacked by Bob who is embarrassed for the trial Atticus. Morals taught by parents within the town is a huge motivate in the story. As Scout grows frustrated with her peers for showing no sympathy at points in the novel. In conclusion, the innocence of adolescences is only taken away from bad parenting rubbing off their negatives onto their children.

Music is a huge influencer in todays day and age. If your like me, you listen to music while doing any task. Many music artist use their influence in music to speak on issues plaguing their lives. In 2017 rapper, Joey Bada$$, released his album All-Amerikkkan Bada$$. This album was written in order for Joey to use his influence to speak on the topics of racism and injustice in contemporary America. He quotes, “So it starts with me bringing [these topics] into the conversation and putting it in the music.”

Influence for this album was pinpointed to the injustices of many black men in the year 2015. These man were unarmed and exposed to police brutality solely based on the fact for the color of their skin. Joey says, “I felt really affected by it all because I’m just so close to it,” he says. “I’ve had encounters with police where I’ve been stopped and frisked or treated unfairly or misjudged and I could imagine those situations being something else.”

All-Amerikkkan Bada$$ deputes songs that all encompass the idea of police brutality. The song “Babylon” is written for the death of Freddie Gray who was killed in Baltimore, Maryland. Freddie was an unarmed black man killed in the wake of police brutality. Joey says this situation made him so fired up because in 2015 in general, there were so many unarmed black men killed that he felt he was somewhat responsible to do something about it. He says, “It’s about flexing my freedom of speech as much as I can.”

This entire album addresses the injustices the black community. We see a power struggle emerge as we can almost address the situation in the terms of the “one” and the “other.” As police brutality continues we can look at the black community being targeted as the so called “other” while the police see themselves as the “one.” As police brutality has become the topic of almost all news stations in the recent months I believe we are experiencing a shift, the “one” and “other” complex is one that will soon cease to exist. With Police becoming the highlight of negative connotations, the stereotypes against the black community should start to fizzle away leaving the Police in a state of new training habits and ending stereotyping.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/joey-bada-talks-tackling-police-violence-coming-into-his-own-on-new-lp-126077/?sub_action=logged_in

One of my favorite shows to watch is the TV show Criminal Minds. This show follows the group of skilled criminal profilers who work for the FBI as members of the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU). They use behavioral analysis and profiling to investigate criminals and find perpetrators. One of the biggest themes of criminal minds would be that it primarily focuses on the backgrounds of the victims and the criminals and not actually on the crime itself, which before this show was considered unusual. The BAU travels all around the country solving different crimes and catching different criminals. One episode that has always stood out to me was “Strange Fruit”. In this episode the team discovers skeletons of human bodies in the backyard of an African American family, Charles and Tina Johnson, the home they have lived in for 35 years. The team initially thinks the Johnson’s son, Lyle, is guilty because he ran when the police showed up to the house. The BAU brings in all three member of the family for questioning.  Agent Rossi takes the father, Charles Johnson, in for questioning where he finds out the history of racism that he has had on his shoulders. Charles starts out by telling Rossi that he is “disappointed” in his sons gender, meaning that since he was an African American teenage boy he would get stopped and abused more than if he was an African American girl. Tech analyst Penelope Garcia, finds out that when he was a teenager, Charles Johnson was accused of raping a white teenage girl. When other white boys in the neighborhood had heard about this they took young Charles and they beat him and castrated him for the alleged offense. The murders that happened in 1973 were of the men who were involved in the attack of Charles, he wanted to seek revenge for what they did to him. But there were men that were involved in the abuse of Charles that had died earlier on of natural causes, but Charles still wanted revenge on them and their families. So in 2003 he targets the daughters of the men he was unable to seek revenge on. He beat all of his victims to death, mutilated them and buried the bodies in the backyard. This episode is actually very difficult to watch because of the injustice that Charles faced during his teenage years and probably his later years as well. He was abused and tortured because he is an African American man living in Virginia, and that built up rage led him to do brutal things to his victims. I feel like this episode kind of twists and turns with who is “The One” and who is “The Other”. In the beginning of the episode the other was supposed to be Lyle Johnson, because he ran from the police and was thought to be guilty of the murders. Then as Charles tells the story of his life he is thought to be the other because of the racism is experienced throughout his life.

Text Review Assignment

I chose to review the TV series Criminal Minds for this text review assignment. Criminal Minds is a large series about a group of people from the FBI, specifically in the behavioral analysis unit, who find serial killers based on their behaviors. I chose this series because the team from the BAU is always working with serial killers from all walks of life from many different states/countries. Although there are many episodes in this series, they almost always include some sort of injustice or power distance in every episode.

The first example I would like to touch on is an episode where a member of the BAU, special agent Derek Morgan, was convited of murder because of his racial background. Derek went back to his home city, Chicago, to visit his mother and sisters. A couple days into his visit, he got a knock on the front door from a white police officer who had a warrant to arrest Derek for the murder of young boys in his neighborhood. The police officer arrested Derek mainly because he “profiled” it was a black male. Derek claimed the only reason why he was arrested is because the police officer had always been racist towards people in his community and didn’t like how Derek was doing well with his life. This shows a toxic power dynamic that could be related back to the “one” and the “other.” In this case, Derek Morgan would be considered the “other” because although he was given opportunities to make his career out of his life, he had to overcome obstacles that others did not. He is the “other” because the white police chief looked down on him even though he didn’t commit the crime and was fully capable of being in the FBI. The police chief would be considered the “one” because he likes to have people under him and have the control. He thought he was superior to the people he was patrolling in the city of Chicago. Overall, these types of characters show an unfair power dynamic that could be related back to the “one” and the “other.”