ipl-logo

Analysis Of Hairspray Preaches

1013 Words5 Pages

The theatre world has been littered with racism since the beginning of it’s existence. From minstrel shows to the prevalence of whites performing in black face, the world of theatre hasn’t been too fond of non-whites. Now, in this day and time, passé racism is no longer tolerable. In the world of theater and entertainment, this rule applies. Several modern works have attempted to center around issues of race and how they affect the society. Hairspray is a sixties-era musical that deals with discrimination based on race and weight. The intended message of the musical is the demand for people of all types to be allowed to live as they wish. The route that the musical goes to represent this message is questionable. The cast members of Hairspray …show more content…

On one hand, Hairspray preaches equality. On the other hand, Hairspray preaches stereotypes. Matthew Delmont proposes that “the history of race in America is an issue of attitudes not policies.”. During Hairspray’s time of setting, blacks were starting the civil rights movement living by Jim Crow Laws. Blacks and whites weren’t allowed to share the same amenities. They were separated in schools, restaurants, trains, hospitals, and more. Furthermore, black Americans were denied access to beaches, swimming pools, parks, picnic areas and hospitals. The version of 1960s Baltimore portrayed in Hairspray tries to make is seem like people are too busy dancing and singing to notice racism. The movie only portrays racism in one character, Velma Von Tussle. This allows other white characters to become innocent bystanders to the discrimination faced by the black characters. This suggests a way of understanding race, by allowing viewers to disown racism without acknowledging the actual structures of discrimination. Racism is sugar-coated in the film to be the belief that blacks, and whites should live in separate places. This kind of framing suggests that the best way to address racism is to stop calling and accusing people of being racists. In the movie, Tracy Turnblad can understand the troubles of being black because she is an overweight white teenager. She has a real …show more content…

However, it completely shielding the viewers of the uncomfortableness of the more difficult times. The movie focuses mostly on the white lead character’s point of view, and completely ignores the social and economic factors of 1960s racism. Racism in 2018 is much different from racism in 1960. Possibly this is because media, race, and labels will continue to operate so that white people can continue to maintain stability. Racialization proves to be an issue in Hairspray. Upon being condemned to detention, Tracy realizes that the detention is mostly full of black people. This act not only associates black people with violence, but it also makes the audience assume that all punishable crimes are committed by black people. Additionally, Tracy’s mother tries to persuade her to march with the blacks because of how the society will view them. Racialization can produce a hierarchical plan. This plan may become controlled and overall limits a particular race. According to July April, having a white lead role speak on behalf of black people portrays the dominant ideology that white people are above black people. Class, gender and ability all play a part in race operations and how race is represented. Additionally, the faintness of whiteness in terms of racial position gives indication that whites are non-raced people. In conclusion, Hairspray’s goal was to showcase black and white segregation in the 60s, but

Show More
Related
477 Words | 2 Pages

In Marlon Riggs’ 1992 documentary film titled Color Adjustment, Riggs, the Emmy winning producer of Ethnic Notions, continues his studies of prejudice in television. The documentary film looks at the years between 1948 and 1988 to analyze how over a 40 year period, race relations are viewed through the lens of prime time entertainment. The film examined many of television’s stereotypes and mythes and how they changed over the years. The one hour and twenty-two minute documentary is narrated by Ruby Dee, the American actress, poet, playwright, screenwriter, journalist, and civil rights activist.

Read More
1021 Words | 5 Pages

In the past, racial profiling has been used numerous times by police officers and people who thought races other than white were the cause of every case and problem. They thought they were better because they were white and blamed people of other races for committing crimes by judging everyone based off ethnicity. In the play, Zoot Suit by Luis Valdez, Henry and the 38th Street Gang were accused of crimes they have not committed because they were Mexican- American. Today this is still seen society. The play’s messages was that people who were discriminated because they were not white, which is still relevant today.

Read More
1219 Words | 5 Pages

The Power Behind “Just Walk on By” In Brent Staples article “Just Walk on By”, Staples shares his thoughts on the way marginalized groups interact. He uses his own experiences as a young African American man to shed light on how people can have implied biases that affect the way they treat other people. Staples does this to demonstrate how society develops preconceived notions in the minds of individuals about marginalized groups, primarily African American men, which are often a flawed representation of the people within these groups. The rhetoric he uses is key to developing an understanding persona and an emotional appeal that exposes the implied biases of people without alienating or offending the audience, to whom-- among others-- he attributes these biases.

Read More
704 Words | 3 Pages

Where do we draw the lines between adoration and mockery, influence and appropriation, and individuality and stereotyping? Accordingly, the racial subject has always been a touchy topic to discuss, but with the lasting effects that the black minstrelsy has left in the society, we most definitely need to deal with the racial subject. Only this way can the American society move forward both as a nation and as a species, and through such efforts, only then can we ensure that such history can never repeat

Read More
510 Words | 3 Pages

For example, sanitation workers had to carry bags of garbage that had holes in them and since they were paid low wages, they ended up poor on welfare. Not only was this film was a way of seeing another turning point during the civil rights movement but also, African Americans fighting for justice. Even though I was not born during that time, I can understand how they felt because it wasn’t that easy. In today’s society racism isn’t as bad as what it was during that time. Besides we still have times were we face racism in our lives so I would say in some areas racism is still a

Read More
1199 Words | 5 Pages

Steele begins addressing the issue by saying that “ By making black the color of preference, these mandates have re-burdened society with the very marriage of color and preference( in reverse) that we set out to eradicate.” In essence Shelby states that by allowing blacks to get a free privilege that whites do not have, the same issue that people were attempting to eradicate had just been reversed except this time in favor of African Americans. Shelby further explains that “ In integrated situations where blacks must compete with whites who may be better prepared, these explanations may quickly wear thin and expose the individual to racial as well as personal self doubt.” By using the example of college Shelby shows people that just because something is free does not mean it is beneficial in fact it may have the opposite effect it set out to achieve. At this point the audience has been made aware of a problem on several occasion and at this point in time Shelby begins to elaborate on the issue creating more intricate situations in which the free privilege will affect African Americans in the future.

Read More
1654 Words | 7 Pages

The year is 2016 and American society is open-minded to so many issues, except televised stereotypes. Racial and gender stereotypes are continually reinforced by social media and television, it has played a major role in the way society views one another. Enabling stereotypes that have been associated with a person of specific race or gender in the media promotes prejudice. Meaning society expects that person to act a certain way based on what they have witnessed on television or social media. . A perfect example of how television shows incorporate stereotypes based on ethnicity is the tv show “Everybody Hates Chris “which is about a working class African-American family that lives in a poor urban neighborhood in New York.

Read More
1164 Words | 5 Pages

His sympathetic persona along with his analogies actively connect the reader to his story, while the strong diction and depressing tone make a strong emotional impact. Unlike most essays, the anti discrimination message can be applied to multiple minority groups and other social issues. As a whole, Brent Staples essay succeeds on all levels as it makes an impactful argument describing how society's view on African Americans as being dangerous violent criminals is truly

Read More
1180 Words | 5 Pages

Towards the beginning of this movie, many blacks were looking at the white men with hatred for raping and nearly killing a ten year old black girl. The men transformed the innocent little girl’s life forever. The men were instantly

Read More
418 Words | 2 Pages

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.

Read More
1065 Words | 5 Pages

She catches the attention of the town’s resident heartthrob, Link, although she is not seen as “conventionally pretty”. Although Hairspray seems to support racial integration and feminism, there are aspects of the movie that prove racist and anti-feminist. I will prove this by highlighting some post-colonial concepts in the movie and using feminist concepts. I first watched this movie when it premiered in 2007— I was nine at the time.

Read More
434 Words | 2 Pages

In the musical Hairspray, main character Tracy Turnblad questions whether it is righteous that blacks and white be separated on television. After auditioning and being cast onto The Corny Collins Show, a local teen dance television show, Tracy befriends Maybelle, the host of the monthly "Negro Day". Through this friendship, Tracy realizes that all humans deserve to be treated equally, and initiates a campaign for racial integration on television. Had Tracy remained at home with her prejudiced white family, and never been exposed to the blatant racial inequality behind the scenes of the show and its effect on the careers of its African American dancers, Tracey never would have realized the fault in the principle of “separate but equal.”. She would have remained narrow-minded, with a different set of values.

Read More
1431 Words | 6 Pages

These three theories will be further discussed in detail in this movie analysis. Firstly, racism is portrayed strongly in the movie. Racism occurs due to stereotypes related to racial issues. Stereotyping is the process “involving the expression of an exaggerated belief about a group that serves to qualify or justify the conduct towards that group of those who hold and express that belief” (Long, Wall 107).

Read More
3957 Words | 16 Pages

Racial Prejudice in WICKED: How is the theme of racial prejudice explored in Act One of the musical WICKED? The musical Wicked: The Untold Stories of the Witches of Oz was first performed on 10th June 2003 in New York City on Broadway. It was adapted, by Winnie Holzman and Steven Schwartz, from the 1995 book by Gregory Maguire (WICKED: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West), and follows the story of Elphaba a green-skinned girl who eventually becomes better known as the Wicked Witch of the West.

Read More
610 Words | 3 Pages

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.

Read More

More about Analysis Of Hairspray Preaches

Related Topics

Open Document