Depictions of African Americans in Movies - 700 Words

For many years, African Americans have been depicted as ghetto, ignorant, violent and many times relentless. Though they have been shown in these ways, there are some times when they are shown to be responsible, creative, hard working and intelligent. These variables make me think about what the media could be trying to convey. My first example of the depiction of African Americans is in the movie, â€Å"To Kill A Mocking bird†, which was based on a book. The name of one the African American characters is Tom Robinson. He was shown as illiterate, but honest and innocent. In the movie he was put on trial for a crime he did not commit. Though he was able to prove that he did not commit the crime, he was still executed. It showed that back then you could be honest and still would have been wrongfully accused, because it was a time of social unrest and extreme racism. It also depicted the fact even though there were more blacks that may have lived in the community, together they had no power or enough influence in the scope of racism in this society. The Television series â€Å"Roots† is a cult classic regarding slavery in America. It started by showing hop people came to America and the suffering they went through before they went to the slave trade. It showed the plight of many families in several generations. It depicted black people as loyal, considerate, cunning, deceitful, loving, caring, violent, and successful. These descriptions showed every facet of emotion in AfricanShow MoreRelated Blacks In Film Essay1169 Words   |  5 Pagesstereotyps of our times. The depiction of blacks in Hollywood movies reinforce many of the misconceptions of the white majority rather than objective reality, limiting black actors to stereotypical roles. The movie quot;Soul Foodquot; proved to be the inspiration for African-Americans hungry for balanced, realistic depictions of blacks in America The film is about a Chicago family who airs out its tribulations over Sunday dinner. It depicts well educated African Americans in lavish suburban homes andRead MoreFilm Review : Django Unchained997 Words   |  4 PagesAside from the twisted humor that is often found within Tarantino’s movies, Django Unchained provides a dark and gloomy reality for African Americans during the year 1858. during this time slavery in the south would be at its peak, because this would be two years prior to the Civil War. The opening scene is very clearly taking place in a southern state and we meet our main character of the movie, Django. He is an African American slave in His thirties, being transported by two white men along withRead MoreEthnic Notions: Film Response Essay1219 Words   |  5 Pagesevolution of African American cultural depictions through ethnic stereotypes and caricatures in American culture. I feel Ethnic Notions exposes the roots of false generalization from the beginning and presents a series of classifications for racial depictions that still are noticeable in todays society. These racial depictions identified with in this film begin in the mid 1800s and continue thought to the 1960s. I now after viewing Ethnic notions agree that there are generalizations and depictions thatRead MoreAnalysis Of The Movie Sweet Home Alabama 914 Words   |  4 PagesSouth. Two different versions of this area exist. One is the true South that anyone who drives through states like Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi will see. The other South is a popularized depiction of this region. Hollywood has played a part in constructing this version of the South by creating coun tless movies that have depicted a stereotyped South fixated on the Antebellum Era. The 2002 movie â€Å"Sweet Home Alabama† poetries Southerners that are trying to preserve the way of life that existed beforeRead MoreEssay on Taking a Look at African-American Cinema1543 Words   |  7 Pagescountry that has accepted that change is a necessity for prosperity and growth. However, each change within the nations history was hard fought against those who resisted such change either through racism, bigotry, and blatant discrimination. African American cinema is enshrouded in history that depicts these themes of racism, struggle, and deprivation. Yet, this same cinema also shows scenes of hope, artistic spirit, intellectual greatness, and joy. Black actresses, actors, directors, producersRead MoreThe Dangers Of Blaxploitation Films Essay1520 Words   |  7 PagesBlaxploitation movies in American society were at an all time high in the 1970’s. They gained popularity durin g and after the civil rights movement due to the influence African Americans were having on society. The movie Coffy, directed by Jack Hill and release in 1973, is a great example of how Blaxploitation movies reinforced the stereotypes that already exist about black men and women. Young African American filmmakers, made lots of these types of movies in order to appeal to the young African AmericanRead MoreStereotypes And Caricatures : The Film Ethnic Notions1445 Words   |  6 PagesBegley African American 05/05/16 Stereotypes and Caricatures The film Ethnic Notions examines the various caricatures of African Americans in popular culture and the consequences of these representations from the 1800s to the 1980s. The film showed how America went through a face of injustice for a period of time. The internet defines stereotype as qualities assigned to groups of people related to their race, nationality and sexual orientation, to name a few. (Kemick) Throughout American historyRead MoreThe Black Of Black And 70s1188 Words   |  5 PagesMovies are more than a form of entrainment. They are pieces of art that express social and political problems within the culture. The Black male character and culture has not always been a predominant figure in films like they are today. The display of the African American culture in film has progressed through the years. It has progressed by the change of racism displayed on screen, the character roles, and the emergence black figures and society in motion pictures. (How racism is depicted in theRead MoreThe Brown Vs. Board Of Education Case Decision935 Words   |  4 PagesIn early black History Africans Americans were looked at as an asset or a slave for the benefit of the white folks. This sense of ownership was detrimental in the day to African Americans pride and also their identity. According to History.com â€Å"Though it is impossible to give accurate figures, some historians have estimated that 6 to 7 million slaves were imported to the New World during the 18th century alone, depriving the African continent of some of its healthiest and ablest men and women†. AfterRead MoreHow The Hollywood Writers And Filmmakers Present Other Ethnicities1323 Words   |  6 Pagesstereotypes of the other ethnicities easily can be found in the Hollywood films and shows that influenced the America. As John R. Terry stated in the Hollywood, Racial Depictions in, â€Å"The construction of these images follows a pattern in Hollywood of reproducing stereotypes, yet there are also independent filmmakers who have offered positive depictions of these groups† (333). The Hollywood writers and directors have a social responsibility to avoid stereotyping the ethnic characters on the topics of racial