(Crystal) Amos ‘n’ Andy permitted the viewer’s to watch each week a middle class minority group that projected very negative stereotypes for a laugh. The show caused a divide that was able to impact the viewing audience, because “on one hand, organized middle class blacks winced at the thought of their collective image resting in the charge of two white men whose adult life had been devoted to week after week of creating a nationwide running gag about blacks" (pg. 30, 31) For the black protestors of the show like the NAACP, they were very distressed by the poor distorted representation of the black middle class. But for the black actors and viewers this was an opportunity for racial accumulation on TV. (Yvonne) The book also talks about how the show created increased opportunities for black actors.
Both Williams’ use of black stereotypes and participation in the “blackface” type of acting were considered negative and racist ways of portraying black people during this time period. He charmed his way past barriers that blacks had not been able to overcome, with a smile and comical attitude. Williams opened the door for black actors of his generation as well as for generations to come, in the film and stage industry. During this time, blacks were portrayed as “coons”, a stereotypical depiction what a “negro” was at this time: lazy, dishonest, and corrupt. “Blackface” actors represented the blacks as whites wanted to see them.
The malicious acts committed by Malcolm X reflect the idea that people ignore truth to conform to society. Known for having strong opinions, Malcolm X seems to be an unlikely victim of blind conformity. However, as shown in his essay, “My First Conk”, Malcolm X was victimized by this need to conform. Changing to look or behave like another because it is more desired by the public is due to a disregarding of self-claimed morals and values, an over emphasis of the media and outside opinions, and an insecurity. In “My First Conk”, Malcolm X assured that black people were being brainwashed to believe that they actually were inferior to white people, thus they conked their hair; which was a hair straightener gel made from lye popular among African-American men from the 1920s to the 1960s.
While there may have been many who disliked and hated African Americans, the Civil Rights campaigners crafted and cunningly planned tactics to permanently change the opinions of the brain-washed racists using methods and people, such as: Little Rock, Martin Luther King and Rosa parks (bus boycotts) – as source 7 displays R. Parks being arrested for refusing to give up her seat for sitting in the ‘white only seats.’ Racism was also stored in the hearts and minds, which can be identified through Source 3, which shows the two separated sinks that a black and white person would use – the clean, spacious tap for the whites, and the dirty, tiny tap that the black people would use. While some may argue that Little Rock was the most important event of the civil rights campaign, others may argue that Little Rock was not the most important event. However, it is clearly evident that Little Rock was indeed the most important tactic to tackle segregation. Conversely, it is clear that Little Rock was not the most important event of the Civil Rights Movement. For example, in Source 13, a young, intelligent, black girl is present being violated, spat on and yelled at by the white, racist crowd.
In Brent Staples’s essay “Just Walk on By: A Black Man Ponders His Ability to Alter Public Space”, Staples explains how black men are discriminated against in public through the events that happened in his own life and the lives of others. Brent Staple says that stereotypes usually mislead and have bad effects. He says that stereotypes affect the stereotyper. People perceived that Staples was - a black man - as a mugger or sometime even a rapist just because the color of his skin, especially white woman with well dressed, and in her early twenties. The author was known as a night walker.
As the reader begins to see the unfairness of the actions against black people, mostly because of Atticus’ speech, the theme of discrimination is developed through the motive of ‘walking around in their shoes.’ The title, To Kill A Mockingbird is very symbolic and meaningful. The quote which corresponds with the title is also said by Atticus and is, ‘Shoot all the blue jays you want if you can’t hit ‘em, but it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.’ There are two characters in the text which are metaphorical to the mockingbird. One is the obvious one, Tom Robinson, a black man accused of the rape of a white girl, whom Atticus defends, and the other is Boo Radley. Just like a mockingbird, Tom Robinson only did good and in the end was accused of a crime he didn’t commit. He helped Mayella Ewell every time she asked, for free, and for it he was accused of raping her.
Unfortunately there are a great deal of troublesome images that are being shown about women in the African American community that has absorbed into their psychological mind. When you turn on the television or go to the movies, pay attention to the roles that African-American women play. Think about how often you see an African-American woman being portrayed on the screen as brave, intelligent, and strong or playing a leadership role? As an African American woman I am dissatisfied with the media’s portrayal of us. I feel that this trend must be stopped and the only way is for us to boycott the media, stop buying music that depicts us as anything less than what we are.
All over the south racism was still going on. But this time it was going on illegally. There were riots in the north in places like Chicago, Detroit and New York. The white race had been angered at the ‘preferential treatment afforded to African Americans.’ Although there were riots against the well being for black people there were other groups who protested for black people. The Double V campaigned for hypocrisy of the discrimination in America and the segregated lines.
In Harper Lee’s compellingly poignant novel, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ we witness various forms of racism and injustice. As the protagonist, Scout exposes the bigotry present in Maycomb County and what the characters endured because of it, particularly the African Americans. We also observe the discrimination that certain characters, such as Atticus Finch and Mr. Dolphus endure because of the racial stereotypes who couldn’t comprehend their belief for justice for all. Racism in Maycomb was the norm. Most of the people of Maycomb were unjust and ignorant when it came to the most basic rights of the African Americans.
In Brent Staples essay entitled Black Men and Public Space, he discusses issues of him being racially profiled on several occasions, and because of this he had been falsely considered a threat on these occasions (Staples). With all the negativity in the media and in movies surrounding racial prejudice and profiling over the years it is only natural to assume that if someone was found to be in the same situations discussed in this essay they would probably react similarly to everyone described by Staples. For some people in Staple’s situation it is possible that they may even get angry and turn violent which would only make the stereotypes true, but for him he chose the alternative, which was to be a little more understanding of the situations by doing things that made these individuals around him feel safe and comfortable, i.e. whistling Beethoven or just giving them a little extra room when on his night walks. This essay also raises a good question, should it be ok for law enforcement or the government to use racial profiling to make arrest or to just simply stop someone because of their race?