A Comparative Analysis of “Cry Freedom” and “Island in the Sun”

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Racism and racial segregation are forms of discrimination based traditionally on unmerited economic, social and political orders. These principles transform and re-invent and continue to manifest themselves in modern societies causing severe mental scars and perpetuating deep inequality and poverty. Colonialism in the British Caribbean illustrated by the film “Island in the Sun” which is chronologically first, and Post Colonialism in Africa illustrated by “Cry Freedom” have similarities and stark differences. Both films are used to portray society’s social-political issues. From the marginalization of black people socially, politically and economically to the notable use of laws that exploit, ostracize and impede the advancement of blacks while dividing them in the process.

The films are set apart by their notable differences, in “Cry Freedom”, apartheid laws which were developed after the 20th century were codified which set legal barriers of white domination and racial separation. Racial discrimination was systemized and banned marriages between blacks and whites, and sanctioned certain jobs for whites only. “Island in the Sun”, on the other hand attempts to trade unionize the workforce to help blacks to become empowered because up to that point blacks could not work in certain areas. While both films reflect different time periods they simultaneously reflect the clutch of colonial mindsets on mental realities within The Bahamas.

In “Island in the Sun” we see the Caribbean in the 1950s, historically during this time there was ‘de jure’ racial segregation between the two diverse groups – blacks and whites. What black people could and could not do was very present in this film. Here we see the character David Boyhe a mixed-ra...

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...uld result in a movement whose final triumph would be majority rule and the dismantling of the system of apartheid that inhibited Bahamian blacks socially, politically and economically (Martin and Storr 21).

Works Cited

Barlas, Robert. The Bahamas. TarryTown: marshall cavendish Benchmark, 2000.

Bethel, Nicolette. "Engendering the Bahamas." College of The Bahamas Research Journal XIII (2003).

“Cry Freedom”. Dir. Richard Attenborough. Perf. Denzel Washington. 1987.

Martin, Nona. "I’se a Man. Political Awakening and the 1942 Riot in the Bahamas." Journal of Caribbean History, 41 (1&2) (2008): 3.

McCartney, Donald M. Bahamian Culture and Factors Which Impact Upon It. Pittsburg: Dorrance Publishing Co, inc, 2004.

Wolpe, Harold. "‘Capitalism and cheap labour-power in South Africa: From segregation to apartheid'." Economy and Society 1(4) (1972): 425-456.

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