ipl-logo

Essay On African Americans In The Movie

1286 Words6 Pages

For many years, African Americans have faced the challenge of being accurately and positively portrayed within the mainstream media, such as American made films. They are often represented as people who are inferior to those of the Caucasian race, and are frequently presented with problems that are related to racial discrimination. The negative portrayal of African Americans in the media such as movies, have often been considered a large contributing factor to the racial tensions that still exist in our world today (Lemons, 1977). The movie, To Kill a Mockingbird, is a great example of the early portrayals of African Americans in films. It provides numerous examples of how stereotypes can greatly impact the lives of those who are not of …show more content…

Before going into trial, Atticus already knew he was going to lose his case even if he proved Tom was innocent. He knew the reality was that blacks had no supremacy when it came to their word against a white man’s (“To Kill a Mockingbird,” 2016). He also knew that a black man would never be acquitted of allegations against him when being charged with rape of a white woman, but he wanted to defend Tom to the best of his ability because he knew it was the right thing to do. This representation of African Americans in the movie showed the little power they had within the justice system, and how their fate could be left in the hands of the white man’s word (“To Kill a Mockingbird,” …show more content…

He was seen as a violent black rapist who forced himself upon an innocent white woman, and was most defiantly guilty of the crime. However, when he is proven innocent it enlightens the audience about how stereotypes can falsely portray African Americans, and shows the major damage they can cause to people’s lives (“To Kill a Mockingbird,” 2016). Overall, this movie teaches the audience that stereotyping groups can be damaging to the way individuals view others, and if we want peace among people of all races, then we have to push past stereotypes to learn who people really are on the

Show More
Related

The Case Of Tom Robinson And Scottsboro Trial

823 Words | 4 Pages

Tom was accused of rapping a white women. Atticus did his best to him. Even though

Read More

Figurative Language In Atticus's Speech

282 Words | 2 Pages

Atticus starts off the speech saying “gentlemen,” “I shall be brief, but I would like to use my remaining time to remind you that this is not a difficult one.” Atticus's tone sheds a few layers, too, becoming conversational rather than businesslike. He uses figurative language when he says “This case is as simple as black and white.” Basically, he points out that there's no evidence and that the prosecution is banking on the stereotype that all African-Americans are immoral liars who rape white women whenever they get the chance. He goes on to say that Tom is not guilty but someone in the room is.

Read More

To What Extent Does Atticus Get A Fair Trial In To Kill A Mockingbird

551 Words | 3 Pages

“Simply because we were licked for a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win” (Chapter 9, page 101). With this quote, Atticus is attempting to elicit the idea that white people have a distinct social advantage over black people and that the court is representative of that. By Atticus taking this case it demonstrates his goal of proving the prejudice to be wrong and ending the trial in favor of Tom. Regardless of the outcome, the point and the perspective will be shown to the people of

Read More

To Kill A Mockingbird Quotes

1021 Words | 5 Pages

Atticus also takes on defending an African American. Not many people would do this back then people they were racist and rude. When Atticus took on this case he knew that they didn’t have a shot at winning, but he took it on anyway because he knew it was the right thing to do. The town was rude and disrespectful to Atticus, but Atticus never backed down. Atticus also did his best to defend Tom and overall with all the evidence Tom should not have been guilty.

Read More

Atticus Finch Research Paper

641 Words | 3 Pages

Many people in the community assumed that Tom was guilty solely because he was black. Atticus knew this mentality was wrong. He felt confident to defend Tom even though he knew that the jury would probably find him guilty, simply based on his skin color. Throughout the trial, Scout and Jem observed and noticed their father’s courage, integrity, and honorable qualities. Nevertheless, he knew he had to try and change the way society viewed black people.

Read More

To Kill A Mockingbird Prejudice Quotes

1119 Words | 5 Pages

Though people are fond of Atticus himself, his decision to aim for Tom Robinson’s justice causes discomfort, “ ‘Lemme tell you somethin’ now, Billy’ a third said, ‘you know the court appointed him to defend this nigger.’ ‘Yeah, but Atticus aims to defend him. That’s what I don’t like about it” (186). The quote exposes that everyone understand the fact that he is assigned to the case but do not understand as to why he is so intent on proving a black man’s innocence. Since Atticus exceedingly expresses his thought on Tim’s innocence and involves so much of himself in the case with a black person, he obtains negative feedback and gets called a nigger-lover.

Read More

Similarities Between To Kill A Mockingbird And The Help

777 Words | 4 Pages

Throughout To Kill a Mockingbird Atticus is simply defending Tom Robinson in court, “I’m simply defending a Negro-his name’s Tom Robinson” (Lee 86). In Atticus' time period, there was not much of a civil rights movement, and it was the default to be racist. Though Atticus is not explicitly racist, he does not do anything to stop the mistreatment of black people, only defending Tom when he is accused of a crime he had not committed. His goal is to influence the court's decision over Tom. Atticus’ help only spans to help one person, while many black people during this time face much prejudice.

Read More

Man's Inhumanity Towards Man In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

623 Words | 3 Pages

In To Kill A Mockingbird was written by Harper Lee in 1960. Through the book you notice many themes. One of the themes readers will pick up early on in the book is Man’s Inhumanity Towards Man. An example of this theme is in chapter nine.

Read More

How Is Atticus Finch A Hero

2400 Words | 10 Pages

Atticus makes the best of the situation, but solely for himself. By defending Tom he can please people of color, but he does not comment on the inequality of

Read More

To Kill A Mockingbird Quotes To Show Courage

557 Words | 3 Pages

Atticus knows that this case is going to be difficult to defend because Tom is black. During the Great Depression, white people viewed black people as worthless and futile. On the contrary, Atticus believed that all men should be treated equally no matter their race. He knew it was the moral thing to do even if it means “‘a Finch [going] against his raising’” to ensure that Tom gets an equal opportunity as a white man (55).

Read More

The Hate U Give Essay

519 Words | 3 Pages

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.

Read More

Poseidon Research Paper

779 Words | 4 Pages

Alexia Fuentes Mrs.Cox English 09 May 2024 Poseidon Posedon, the powerful god of the sea, has long been a fascinating figure in Greek mythology. With his trident in hand and his wrathful temper, he rules the ocean with an iron fist, commanding the waves and the creatures that are beneath its depths. In this research essay, we will explore the tales of Poseidon as told in ancient texts. Join me as we journey into the realm of Poseidon and learn more about him. Poseidon, known as the brother of Zeus and Hades, is one of the most prominent gods in Greek mythology.

Read More

World War 1: Modern Day Technology

313 Words | 2 Pages

World War 1 was the most tragically conflicted event in modern history. Even though it was a tragedy it was also an innovation to modern day technology. In this time with the use of new technology came new techniques of warfare. For instance, tank warfare, trench warfare and chemical warfare. Furthermore, these tactics are still used today.

Read More

To Kill A Mockingbird Equality Analysis

1591 Words | 7 Pages

Throughout the whole trial there are multiple times when anyone who reads the novel knows that he is not getting a fair shake. The first time is when Atticus delivers his closing remarks and he says something that is very powerful and also very true about the case and Tom receiving an unfair trial, “To begin with, this case should never have come to trial. This case is as simple as black and white” (Lee 203). What Atticus explains is that no matter how plain it is to everyone that Tom is innocent and could not have commited the crime, it does not matter because one thing is certain, Tom is black. And the jury being white means he has no chance at winning, it’s truly sad, but during the time of the trial that 's just how society works.

Read More

In Living Color: Race And American Culture

1000 Words | 4 Pages

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).

Read More

More about Essay On African Americans In The Movie

Related Topics

Open Document