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Examples Of Racism In Othello

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The concept of racism is a prevalent issue that has existed in the past and continues even today in our present society, but racism is not acceptable at all in society, and people should be treated equally regardless of race or ethnicity. However, instances of racism can be found in the play Othello written by William Shakespeare many years ago, in the present criminal justice system and even in our current school systems. In Othello, Othello, a Moorish soldier, is treated unfairly and accused of stealing the love of Desdemona by using sorcery or magic spells to win her hand in marriage. Iago, a supposedly loyal friend of Othello’s, announces to Brabantio, Desdemona’s father, that “an old black ram is tupping your white ewe” (Shakespeare …show more content…

This comment is extremely racist in that Othello is being compared to a black ram which portrays the fact that his dark skin color is offensive compared to the white ewe of Desdemona who is indeed light-skinned. Even though some people may believe that racism is a past idea that does not exist today, a closer look at the current criminal justice system shows that it is further from the truth. “Cuz” is a book that was written by Danielle Allen that describes how “today’s criminal justice system destroyed a talented but troubled African American youth” (Hiatt). Michael, an African American was arrested at age 15 for a failed carjacking, sentenced to 25 years to life in prison and forced to spend his adolescent years in isolation and segregation depriving him of a chance to start a new life. Due to the fact that Michael was black, he would have had to “stay indoors, alone every day” (Hiatt) in his neighborhood in order to avoid any legal troubles which is definitely not a normal or acceptable way for any children to live, regardless of race. Believe it or not, racism still occurs in our schools today, and some African-American parents have decided to homeschool their children, because of the persistent problem of educators not treating their children equally

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Although, Parkers choices in people to play the roles of his characters is on point the way some characters are portrayed in the production is off. In Shakespeare 's original othello, the character of othello seems to be more on the insecure side. Othello is filled with jealousy over Desdemona and goes a little insane after the handkerchief incident. In the original I believe that Othello was made out to be this insecure man with no back bone, this is seen in the scene where he is talking about loosing Desdemona. Othello goes on a rant saying “She’s gone.

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