Question

After watching the Video " A Class Divided" on March 26, 1985 "SEASON 1985: EPISODE 9" on FrontLine Website.

1. Explain briefly about how “race” was socially constructed in this film. How do you see racism and the system of oppression operating in this film? Identify instances of stereotypes, prejudice, discrimination, oppression, and internalized oppression. What are some of the consequences (Thomas Principle) of “racism” in the film?

Answer each part of the Question 1 in 200-300 words only.

Answer 1

In the movie the concept of race has been expressed in the sitting of a class where the teacher asks the students about their view on brotherhood day. From the discussion it is said that in the United States the brotherhood is not present because there black people and Indians are considered inferior and they are victim of racism. It is also said that the white people do have prejudice against the black peoples and Indians and in spite of the the existence of the feeling of brotherhood sentiment, these people are regarded as different in respect of their colour and eyes.

The simple explanation of the concept of racism has been presented here. It is said that the American children discriminate on the basis of colour of skin and the colour of hair. It is said that the people with blue eyes are better than the people with brown eye. It is also said that the dark skin people are not better and white skin people are superior.

In the present episode it is also described how the discrimination and racism lead the generation after generation to the conservative attitude and prejudice. Even in the children of the third grader the concept of discrimination still exists. It is also true that they are not from the sense of brotherhood. But in their conception of brotherhood there are many mistakes. With the help of the innocent mind of the children the real nature of racism has been expressed here.