Essay Sample on Inaccurate Representations of Minorities in U.S. Films

Introduction

A review of the various films produced in the United States film industry reveals various inequalities and injustices committed against minority groups through film. Native Americans have especially been depicted in a more demeaning light compared to African Americans. In various Hollywood films, the natives are usually depicted as bloodthirsty beasts incapable of any logical thinking. While the depiction of African Americans has also been inaccurate, it has not been as demeaning and dehumanizing as the way the Natives are depicted. Native American actors and in some instances, African American actors are usually subjected to less character development compared to their white counterparts. The stereotypic depiction of the minorities in film dates back to the 16 and 17th century period whereby the minorities were associated with savagery in a society that took pride in manners and respect. The earlier artists and a variety of historical occurrences have therefore shaped the way the minorities are portrayed. The skewed depiction of minority groups in America is attributed to historical factors and social issues prevalent in American society.

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For a long period, the natives were completely alienated from the US film industry. While there have been a few films that have attempted to illustrate the native way of life, they are few in number and have therefore been less impactful. African Americans have not been completely alienated from the film industry. However, they have still been subjected to the various stereotypes associated with minorities. African-Africans have, however, made significant attempts to change the narrative and many of them have begun producing and directing films which correctly depict the African-American tradition and culture. African-American film directors such as Spike Lee came up in the 1990s and their rise in the film industry has helped correct the injustices of the inaccurate depiction of minorities in film.

In a majority of the early American literature, the Natives and African-Americans have been depicted as backward groups of people. The Native Indians caused major problems to white settlers as they attempted to settle in regions that were already being occupied by the Indians. The Natives were often brutal in the protection of their territories and since that period, they have come to be associated with savagery. African-Americans, on the other hand, have had a history of slavery where they were treated as second-rate citizens. These historical factors have shaped the way these groups of people are perceived in the larger American society. While it is commendable that more of the minority groups are beginning to be cast in various Hollywood films, it is unfortunate that a majority of them still take up roles which further fuel the stereotypes associated with the minorities. For instance, one common stereotype associated with the African American population is that of thugs and maids. In many Hollywood films, black males have been depicted as thugs while the ladies usually play the role of maids. Black people's history with slavery has greatly influenced how they are depicted in films. During the slavery period, the women mostly engaged in household chores while the men worked in the fields and also completed tasks that required hard labor. Film producers in Hollywood still attempt to create such depictions even though they no longer represent the minorities' way of life.

In a few Hollywood films, minorities have been cast as "magical" characters who possess special powers and only appear to help out their white characters whenever they need help. In most instances, these magical characters do not show a great concern for their own safety and wellbeing and seem to be only concerned with saving the white characters. One film where an African American was cast in such a role was The Green Mile. In the film, Michael Clarke possesses magical healing powers and also willingly accepts to be executed to save the other characters (Darabond, 1999). Such depictions of minorities are cynic and patronizing. The problem with a "magical hero" role is that they exist simply to support the white characters. Casting African-Americans in such roles is demeaning because it reinforces the stereotype that African-Americans are not as valuable or even human as the other white characters. Contemporary and renowned actors such as Will Smith and Morgan Freedom have also previously taken on such roles. Will Smith, for instance, took on such a role in the film The Legend of Bagger Vance (Nozik & Redford, 2000).

Of all the African-American stereotypes in film, the "thug" is one of the most common. African-American actors are continually taking on criminal roles such as drug dealers, con artists, and even pimps. In the film Training Day, Denzel Washington was cast as a police officer who also dabbled in criminal activity (Newmyer & Fuqua, 2001). He partakes various hard drugs on the job and is also quite violent even towards his fellow officers of the law. Such a depiction is demeaning because it paints African-Americans as lawless and rogue individuals who cannot peacefully coexist in society. It also fuels the stereotype that African Americans are dangerous individuals who derive satisfaction from illicit activities. Native Americans have been cast in even more demeaning roles. For instance, in The Battle at Elderbush Gulch by DW Griffith, the natives were cast as marauding individuals whose only interest was to spill blood (Griffith, 1913). In the film, the Indians are perceived as threats to the social order established by their white counterparts. The film features the Native Indians with painted faces and feathered headdresses. Such inaccurate depictions of minorities have often justified their killing and other social injustices committed against them. Contemporary Indian and African-American filmmakers have taken it upon themselves to create new and accurate representations of the minorities. African-American film producers such as Spike Lee and Tyler Perry have been instrumental in creating new depictions of the African-American culture and tradition.

Conclusion

To wind up, it is important for film producers and directors to accurately depict cultures as a misrepresentation of facts often leaves a lasting impression that cannot easily be broken. Many individuals depend on film to learn about different societal issues and cultures. It is therefore important to ensure the accuracy of the depictions made in the film. Native Americans and African Americans should also play more active roles in the production of films depicting their culture. This would ensure that the ignorant depictions of their cultures are avoided from the onset. The digital age presents a wide array of opportunities in filmmaking and storytelling. Native Americans and African-American directors and film producers should seize these opportunities and tell accurate indigenous stories. The opportunities presented by the digital age could help in doing away with the various ugly stereotypes that have persisted for long periods.

References

Darabond, F., & Darabond, F. (1999). The Green Mile. The United States.

Nozik, M., & Redford, R. (2000). The Legend of Bagger Vance. The United States.

Newmyer, B., &Fuqua, A. (2001). Training Day. The United States.

Griffith, D.W., & Griffith, D.W. (1913). The Battle at Elderbush Gulch. The United States.