In recent years, the horror genre has become a powerful tool for filmmakers to explore and challenge social and political issues, including the pervasive problem of systemic racism and oppression in modern America. One filmmaker who has risen to prominence for his incisive commentary on these issues is Jordan Peele, known for his critically acclaimed films Get Out and Us. Peele's films have captivated audiences and critics alike with their thought-provoking exploration of the dynamics of race, power, and oppression in contemporary American society. Through his unique use of the horror genre, Peele provides powerful critiques of systemic racism and oppression, offering fresh insights and challenging traditional narratives. In this critical analysis, …show more content…
As Coleman (2011) points out in her book "Horror Noire," early American horror films from the 1890s to the mid-20th century often portrayed black characters as racially caricatured and dehumanized figures, perpetuating harmful stereotypes (p. 17). For instance, black characters were often depicted as exotic, savage, and dangerous, serving as the monstrous "Other" in contrast to the white protagonist (Coleman, 2011, p. 17). Analysis of the themes and motifs of racism in American horror films, using "Horror Noire" as a primary …show more content…
For example, during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, horror films began to explore issues of racial inequality and civil rights struggles, albeit often through metaphorical and allegorical means (Coleman, 2011, p. 123). These films depicted the fears and anxieties surrounding race relations during that time, such as "Night of the Living Dead" (1968), which featured a black protagonist who ultimately meets a tragic fate in a white-dominated society (Coleman, 2011, p. 123). The representations of racism in American horror films not only reflected the contemporary social and cultural issues of their time but also continue to mirror the ongoing systemic racism in American society. As Coleman (2011) argues, these representations not only shape the narratives and characters in horror films but also impact audience perceptions and interpretations of race in real life (p. 235). For example, the portrayal of black characters as monstrous or othered in horror films can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and reinforce existing racial biases, contributing to the normalization of systemic racism in
Racism is portrayed as a pervasive and deeply rooted problem in the movie. Specific examples of racism include the police officer's assumption that Khalil was dangerous solely based on his race, the media's biased portrayal of the incident, and the systemic racism within the criminal justice system. These instances highlight the unequal treatment and stereotypes faced by people of color. For teaching and learning, the film provides a platform for discussions on racial bias, prejudice, and the need for societal change.
However, “what Peele’s film forces viewers to consider is whether such underlying power relations and warped desires remain wholly intact in our modern society.” (Sims) Offering examples of how American society comprehends black people. However, there is no real hostility seen from the whites such as hatred, however, the white characters are fond of black people. Well metaphorically speaking society analyze and resembles the black body, so do the characters of “Get Out”.
Many of the speakers are frustrated at the fact that systemic racism is still very much alive, yet they remain professional. They discuss issues and problems in detail to give the audience a full understanding of the topic. Because of this and their desire to be direct, glossing-over details and censorship does not occur. The documentary has two main points of discussion: the history of oppression in America, and the prison industrial-complex. During the first half of the film, wherein the speakers discuss the discrimination of African-Americans, the tone used is factual and [smth].
White Fragility is a term coined by Dr. Robin DiAngelo meaning “a state in which even a minimum amount of racial stress becomes intolerable, triggering a range of defensive moves.” DiAngelo believes white people in North America live in a social environment that insulates them from race-based stress, due to their privilege as part of the cultural majority. The idea of white fragility entails that members of the Caucasian race do not struggle as much as minorities and, through their ignorance, they believe they understand and can relate to the struggles minorities endure on a daily basis. Director Jordan Peele demonstrates this concept of white fragility through his thriller suspense film, Get Out. This film to transports the viewer to the perspective of the white dominance in America towards minorities and how powerful their role of control is in the U.S. Through projecting some of his own fears, Peele approach this horrifying reality through dark plot twists and comedic satire.
Overall, "Get Out" is a masterful work of horror that uses various rhetorical strategies to call attention to the sinister nature of racism and hypocrisy in contemporary American
The disturbing truth emerges that our history is so filled with racism, that it has caused Disney to have a lack of emphasis on racial issues in films such as
Kindred and Get Out: A Critique on Modern Society and Its Racism “Stories of beatings, starvation, filth, disease, torture, every possible degradation. As though the Germans had been trying to do in only a few years what the Americans had worked at for nearly two hundred” (Butler, 116-117). The history of slavery and racism in the United States is a complex and important one, having shaped contemporary society. Octavia Butler's novel Kindred and Jordan Peele's film Get Out explore these issues through the study of the lasting effects of slavery and racism on modern society. Additionally, they offer a challenge to certain narratives and stereotypes concerning these issues, the works offer a commentary on the ongoing struggles for racial justice
During the film, the director includes clips and photos of violent events to show the torture African Americans went through. Raw footage of lynchings and abuse were shown to connect to viewers’ emotions. These graphics successfully portray the suffering people went through rather than only hearing about it. The pain and heartache viewers feel supports the argument because it creates a sense of sorrow for how horrifically these people were treated compared to the privileges we have now. Although Americans have more freedom now than years prior, racial discrimination is ongoing.
Ethnicity and Hollywood Racism is always issues which take a huge part of American history. Until the twenty-first century, although people tried to make the country becomes the freedom and equality nation, these issues are still happening everywhere. According to "In Living Color: Race and American Culture," Stuart Hall argues that racism is still widespread in the society and "it is widely invisible even to those who formulate the world in its terms" (qtd. in Omi 683). Indeed, situations about race quietly exist in the movie industry, which "has led to the perpetuation of racial caricatures" to the majority audiences and even minority audiences (Omi 629).
Trauma is a nuanced and interpersonal phenomenon that occurs when a traumatic event is experienced. Whether it be firsthand or by a loved one, trauma significantly impacts the way you perceive yourself and your surroundings. There are various mechanisms people use to grapple with such events, commonly referred to as ‘trauma response’. Released in 2017, Jordan Peele’s breakthrough film, ‘Get Out,’ unmasks modern-day racism through clever cinematic storytelling, telling the story of a traumatised individual. The protagonist, Chris Washington, is at the centre of this narrative, traumatised both by childhood loss and his experiences as a black man in America.
Moreover, demonstrate consequences are taken to oppress racial and ethnic minorities to keep them in a subservient position. Overall, this film has provided me with a visual depiction of how stereotypes are a mental tool that enforces racial segregation and self-hate. The label of “White” became a necessity for Sarah Jane to achieve in society. To attain it she needed to move to a new city, change her name and deny her mother.
Black women are treated less than because of their ascribed traits, their gender and race, and are often dehumanized and belittled throughout the movie. They are treated like slaves and are seen as easily disposable. There are several moments throughout the film that show the racial, gender, and class inequalities. These moments also show exploitation and opportunity hoarding. The Help also explains historical context of the inequality that occurred during that time period.
Film Analysis Introduction Jordan Peele’s Get Out was produced in 2017. This psychological horror film explores racism through symbolism, music and color. Get Out was a film that captured racism's subtle and nuanced experiences. Peele used a variety of techniques to convey the message of the film.
Then suddenly Doughboy got of the car and with his hand gun continued to shot the three gangsters on the floor already until they died. Moreover, the movie trophe and stereotype that has negatively portrayed African-Americans is the “magical negro”. Since the beginning of the film industry, African-Americans have been victims of racist stereotypes as seen in minstrel shows. An old negative character for the African-American made its way to the cinemas, through a new phenomenon known as the “magical negro”. Today, the “magical negro” is still being used by American film
Casual Racism, An Aspect Of Society: Rhetorical Strategies In Get Out Although blatant acts of racism have diminished since the 1900’s, acts of casual racism are now predominant in America. In the film, Get Out, written and directed by Jordan Peele, Peele claims that acts of casual racism are aimed at ethnic minorities. Peele begins to build his credibility by addressing issues of casual racism in the text, targeting the White liberals as his audience, using constraints to encourage empathy for his character Chris, and by covering the controversial issue of America being a “post-racial” society as the exigence in Get Out. Peele, a comedy writer, actor, and ethnic minority, has been praised for his portrayal on his hit comedy show