Discrimination In The Movie Skin

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What color are nationality are you? It’s a question that is often asked in many cultures within our society. Many people tend to think that if someone looks like they are black then they are black. The movie, Skin, has opened my eyes even more to this misconception that one is simply defined by the color of their skin. Sandra Laing was born to white parents. However she appeared to be black. Sandra’s father enrolled Sandra into an all white school as to reassure himself the fact that she was indeed white. When the other white families and faculty were offended of a black child attending this all white school, they removed Sandra from the school. This only outraged Sandra’s father even more. Mr. Laing couldn't possibly acknowledge his daughter as being black. During this time of the apartheid system, it was unthinkable that white parents could have a black child. Her parents reassured her …show more content…

Sandra’s relationship with her colored boyfriend Petrus provides freedom from humiliation. He makes her feel more “complete” because he provides, initially, emotional and sexual satisfaction. She does not find this same degree of wellbeing with her white boyfriends. Sandra sacrifices her family and the material privileges that belong to the dominant white society in order to find a place where she is comfortable. For her own peace of mind she must give up so much to achieve a degree of happiness that follows from her life among the colored people. However, such security comes at a terrible price. As Sandra’s father tells her, “If you don’t come now, you will never see your family again. I promise you.” Sandra then flees with Petrus and soon later legally reclassifies her status to “colored” because she fears that she could lose her children if she remains legally “white”. However, she must suffer the consequences of living with people who are judged as inferior and have no

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