The Color of Fear
In the film The Color of Fear, a group of 8 men (two African American, two Latinos, two Asian American and two Caucasian) were called together to talk about the issues of race that they all have individually with one another and within their own race. It was a small group documentary as they sat around in a circle conversating there true feelings and stories that they all had in their lifetime. There are some very emotional moments within the film as the men all are able to let out what they had wanted to in a long time, but had never had the oppurtunity to do so.
Victor, one the African American men, mentioned how when he was in elementary school his teacher had automatically put him into the low reading level class, when he knew that his reading level surpassed that of the highest level in the class, because he was "black" he was discriminated against.
David, one of the Caucasian men, said that how he didn't see what the problem was with racism and doesn't believe that it exists around where he lives. I thought this was based on his location, many people may not show that they are racist, but deep down inside it is hidden, and who knows what they are thinking besides themselves, and with that David never saw any problem with racism around him because he himself has a diverse amount of close friends. He doesn't realize what else is going on around him, and with that, all of the other 7 men, tell him their stories to show him that there is a problem today with racism.
I personally believe that this is one step to shed some more light that racism exists, by letting alot of people know that it is still going on. They don't want to believe it is still going on, so they block that fact from their mind and go on about their day like everyone is treated equally. And when they act upon a stereotype or say a racist comment based on a racist stereotype they deny that they ever did say or did what they did. Once people know what is going on around them, they won't know what they are doing to raise or lower the problem.
Comments
I have seen this film before, and the first time I seen it I was surprised how David the Caucasian man was acting as if race didn't exist. It showed how colorblind this society that we live in has become, and how some are oblivious to their privileges while others don't even have it.I remember there was a scene on the film when David said that he isn't racist because he employees colored people, and to me that somehow felt like he was in denial because employing people, and being racist are two different things. I mean the fact he has the power to give people jobs alone shows how much power, and privilege he has over others.Whenever race or racism is mention it always seems as if its black people's problem. And the dominant groups ignore these facts and somehow pretend that everything is fine. In my opinion, the only way race, and racism is going to end is if people talk about, discuss it, and find solutions to solve it as a group and not individuals.
Posted by: Amal Mohamud | March 29, 2007 5:51 PM