"Our Song"
Thursday, we discussed the film “Our Song� in class. It was a pretty intense discussion because everyone is very opinionated. I was starting to get irritated by some of the strong opinions being voiced but I decided to keep my mouth shut, until a certain point. I don’t necessarily believe that “Our Song� is based completely on stereotypes because to be honest, the things that were displayed in the film do happen. Maybe these things, pregnancy, suicide, destitution, may not happen all at once but they can happen. Stereotypes are based on fact and on things that have happened, however, they are conveyed to the entire group based on one person. The movie was a way to show that these things happen. I know about these problems first hand because I use to live upstairs in a duplex with African-Americans living downstairs. They had problems like everyone else.
“Our Song� brought things into light and I really appreciated seeing this movie. My favorite character would probably have to be Lanesha. Despite the separation of her parents, she still made it work. She seemed very mature for her age, having already had an abortion herself, but staying strong for Maria who is going through a pregnancy herself. Also, I like Jocelyn purely because of her willingness to succeed. This is evident due to her dreams and goals that she has for herself. All in all, this was a great movie. However, I am having problems writing my paper on it only because I find it very hard to analyze a movie and then compare it to another.
Comments
I agree with you on the issue with the stereotypes. You are very right, it is completely realistic in every way actually. I know alot of white people with these same problems but they are treated no differently. I think that this movie was not made to be stereotipical whatsoever and it really just opens everyone else's eyes up to the reality going on in the everyday lives of people in different communities. They turn out to be extremely similar to everyone else's problems in life as well.
Posted by: Emily Burchell | February 12, 2007 6:12 PM
After seeing "Our Song" our class really did have an intense discussion and I was just like you said you were. I didn't say anything because everyone's intitled to their opinions but I completely agree with you about stereotypes. I was getting very frusterated when people in the class were saying that the movie was too stereotyped because, you're right, stereotypes are based on things that are generally true and happen. Suicides and teen pregnancies are very unfortunated but they happen. I grew up in a city of 26,000..not too big..but out of my graduating class of 54, one girl had a baby and someone in the class ahead of me had committed suicide. It's so sad but it happens and I get really frusterated when people try to deny it. I could really relate with your blog!
Posted by: Sarah Davy | February 26, 2007 7:40 PM