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Jordan Peele's Use Of Systemic Racism Exposed In American Horror Film

1613 Words7 Pages

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

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