What does Race have to do with it?
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967)
Racial relations vary across culture and time, even after the decision that deemed anti-miscegenation laws unconstitutional, it took more time for everyone to come to the same agreement. Not to mention, the conditions that black people lived under due to the negative connotations that the term “black” held – evil, dirty, and impure. Towards the end of the 1960’s, the American industry utilized many different tactics to portray the lack of hope, income inequality, segregation, and change that was an attempt to make a difference during this time. The film, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967) was a direct effort to view the polarity of race in the 1960’s through the lens of
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Interracial Marriage. In 1967, racial tension may have waned slightly, but racial prejudice did not subside so quickly since it is fundamentally rooted in the minds of white people. At the time, the 1960’s era was in turmoil, a range of people began to seek justice and rights that any human being should have. Blacks wanted to experience the world just as any other person deemed to have rights. The social issue-involving race reaches far, yet many people do not always know how to approach ethnic stereotypes, yet issues on racism, prejudice and interracial marriage portrayed in this film, allowed a peek into an often-overlooked world. The movie depicts Joanna Drayton, a young, white, upper-class American woman and Dr. Prentice, a man with whom she had an unexpected romance with, while in Hawaii for the holidays. In turn, they both want to get married and live in Switzerland, but John needs the permission of his fiancé’s parents before anything could happen. However, Joanna’s parents are shocked to find that their daughter wants to marry an African American man. Nevertheless, John is a well-respected Doctor with no outward faults, yet he is still a problem. Joanna parent’s reaction to John left her confused, especially after always hearing of racial justice from them. More so, after, John and Joanna asked her parents to be accepting in the whole matter, which would allow them to leave the country and wed as soon as possible. Nevertheless, the impending problem lies within the question, “Can an interracial marriage really work?” This is solely because the movie spoke from a white man’s perspective, which would fault John for being black, yet contradict society, for him being the ideal black man. The social issue-involving race reaches far, yet many people do not always know how to approach ethnic stereotypes, yet issues on racism as portrayed in this film, allowed a peek into an often-overlooked world.
When Joanna saw Tillie, she said, “I brought you the latest bulletin. Guess who's coming to dinner now?” and in reply, Tillie says, “The Reverend Martin Luther King?” After how the film played out with Tillie being suspicious of John’s intentions, this comment was interesting because it hinted at the fact that John made a difference, or the movie, however subtle. Martin Luther King is the representation of a movement against racism, at the time and even today, which allow so many unique opportunities for blacks and minorities. John provided the best version of a black man, in himself, with his many accolades and astute accomplishments that put him into a category of his own. Yet, that still did not satisfy the minds of the Drayton’s or their friends simply because John is black, or something termed, inhuman or impure. From the beginning of the movie, when John gets out of the taxi to pay, the white taxi driver looked as if it was demeaning to accept money from a black person. Ultimately, that showed the utter disrespect white people felt for blacks simply because of the color of their
skin. The social issue-involving race reaches far, yet many people do not always know how to approach ethnic stereotypes, yet issues on racial prejudice as portrayed in this film, allowed a peek into an often-overlooked world. Assumptions always leads to misjudging something or someone that could later be a problem. In this sense, The Drayton’s have always been for racial equality yet, seeing their daughter with a black man is shocking; Despite, John having many reasons why he is good for their daughter, such as, graduating from a top school, having a Ph.D. in medicine and turning pre-marital sex down with Joanna. They did not realize something like this could happen, because they did not believe any Negro had access to the same luxuries that enabled John and Joanna to cross paths. Furthermore, the film showed how quick both parents were quick to jump to conclusions, assuming that their child’s partner was of the same race. When Tillie found out that John was black, she was displeased because she did not know what John intentions were, but really, she was close-minded to the ways of the old. When in reality, John and Joanna only had time to focus on the ways of the new era. The social issue-involving race reaches far, yet many people do not always know how to approach ethnic stereotypes, yet issues on interracial marriage as portrayed in this film, allowed a peek into an often-overlooked world. "After all, a lot of people are going to think we are a shocking pair." (GWCD, John Prentice, 1967). This line says it all. Interracial marriage became legal in 1967 around the time of this film, after the Supreme Court deemed anti-miscegenation laws unconstitutional, added, this movie depiction of a growing issue. The Drayton’s from the moment John and Joanna arrive never felt comfortable with the idea of their daughter marrying a black man despite his remarkable credentials. It seemed the mothers of the couple both understood what was at stake, which was their children happiness. However, the couple father’s saw it as lose-lose situation, since the consequences of being in love with someone of a different race would hurt both of them. They believed they could not be happy with so many people not happy for their relationship in general. The big picture when speaking on interracial marriage as seen in the film is, understanding how it can happen is one thing but for society to actually accept it, is another task. The movie was groundbreaking and enlightening for a cause that so many others willfully ignore. It focused on the tension that plagued the progression of blacks and whites in relationships and negative social taboos that allowed it to fester, in regards to race. It is evident, the movie attempts to separate race and love in this movie, as seen with Joanna and John, but It is painstakingly obvious when her parents make uncomfortable gestures about their union. The movie seemed to, in a way, tease us with the main point, love conquers all, while never really delving deeper into why John was a problem at all, in the first place. Ultimately, I felt like this movie was trying to convince someone, the white man, that Interracial Marriage is not as bad as you would imagine. Also, aide to slowly transition a group into understanding or accepting a view that may be foreign at first, such as the controversial topic of race and prejudice in society. For a movie that made an effort to invoke a sense of progression and equality, it furthered reinforced the control of the ‘majority’. It showed how close-minded a group of people can be whether they want to or not, when they do not try to look past the color of your skin. On the other hand, the movie despite its flaws gave a peek into a world of issues that society willfully ignores. Mixed relationships opened a door for blacks and whites to understand or at least attempt to comprehend why people should be allowed to marry who they want. We see it a lot of, and I am sure it hit an all-time high then, where others impede on marriages or couples based on their race, gender, and social status. Matt’s speech presented a clear understanding and divide that went on amongst black and whites in and out of relationships.
I have watched this film before, but I was even more excited to get to watch it again knowing there was an older film that was similar. In Guess Who’s Coming for Dinner? many of the roles are reversed from Guess Who? Even with the age difference between the two films the subject that is presented is still relatable today. The film Guess Who?, however does show more stereotypes. It shows metrosexual, which is often stereotyped for being homosexual throughout the film by the Percy. We also see racial stereotype views coming from both the girl’s family and Simon.
Ellison explores the detrimental effect that racism has on a person. John reflects while conversing with the fellow in the lobby,“That part wasn't missing. When they did have something to say to us, they always became familiar” (Ellison 345). As John continues to talk to the fellow in the lobby, he begins to feel a sense of insecurity, “'Any other colored folks working here?' 'I’m the only one,' I lied. There were two others. It was none of his business anyway” (Ellison 345). In “The Black Ball” Ellison uses dialogue to convey a theme of racism. The word “they” is used to represent white people, and the word “us” to represent African Americans. Even in the writing they are segregated, furthering the point that John is not given equal opportunities or even treated with basic civilities. Because of the racism that John has been subjected to, he has developed a sense of mistrust. He feels the need to lie to the fellow because he does not trust him, and he feels his job might be in jeopardy. By adding details like these to the plot,
In addressing and confronting the problem of injustices among the black Americans in the American society, particularly the violence that had happened in Birmingham, and generally, the inequality and racial prejudice happening in his American society, King argues his position by using both moral, social, and political references and logic for his arguments to be considered valid and agreeable.
John Lewis is an African American man born on February 21st, 1940, into a sharecropping family in Pike County, Alabama (Moye, 2004). He grew up on his family's farm, and attended segregated public schools as a child. Even when he was just a young boy, Lewis was always inspired by the happenings of the Civil Rights Movement. Events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott or hearing the wise words of Martin Luther King Junior over the radio stimulated his desire to become a part of a worthwhile cause, and was a supporter of the Civil Rights Movement ever since ("Biography," para. 3). Lewis went to school at both the American Baptist Theological Seminary and Fisk University, both in Nashville, Tennessee. He graduated from the American Baptist Theological Seminary, and received a Bachelors degree in religion and philosophy from Fisk University. While at Fisk, he learned the philosophy of how to be nonviolent, and would soon incorporate that into his civil rights work ("John Lewis Biography," para. 3). While he was a student at Fisk University, Lewis began putting together sit-ins at local lunch counters to protest segregation. Many...
John has a little boy he looks after that has to stay in the back of the building. Since John and his little boy are both African American, they are both judged by the community, and have responsibilities to uphold as well. In this story it conveys the theme of disillusionment of man. One example from the story that shows this is when John’s little boy is playing with his ball, and a white boy takes it and throws it into the manager’s office to get him in trouble. Additionally, not even knowing what really happened, the manager Berry is furious with John. In the story he says “Well if I ever see him around her again, you’re going to find yourself behind the black ball. Now get him on round the back and then come up here and clean up this mess he’s made.” (Ellison 351). This shows how upset the manager was with John about the ball being thrown, and how he is initially frustrated with the belief that Johns little boy threw it up there. This is one way that the theme of disillusionment of man is created through this time in
For example, whites had sympathy for African Americans and parents had sympathy for their children. The way that King tells his speech takes the focus off of race and reestablishes it on the aspiration of a world without racism. “.by making his audience no longer hate Negroes and instead hate racism and wish for a new, better world.” (L., Anson). Dr. King made the audience sympathize with African Americans, helping the audience realize that racist people and biased ideas caused the true dilemma of discrimination.
The history of African Americans in early Hollywood films originated with blacks representing preconceived stereotypes. D.W. Griffith’s 1915 film, Birth of a Nation, stirred many controversial issues within the black community. The fact that Griffith used white actors in blackface to portray black people showed how little he knew about African Americans. Bosley Crowther’s article “The Birth of Birth of a Nation” emphasizes that the film was a “highly pro-South drama of the American Civil War and the Period of Reconstruction, and it glorified the role of the Ku Klux Klan” (76). While viewing this film, one would assert that the Ku Klux Klan members are heroic forces that rescue white women from sexually abusive black men. Griffith introduced “mulatto, faithful mammy, Uncle Tom, and brutal buck” character; some were disguised as villains and obnoxious individuals. Donald Bogle’s “Toms, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies, & Bucks” describes the brutal black buck as “big, bad niggers, sexed and savage, violent and frenzied as they lust for white flesh” (13-14). Some of the film’s most objectionable scenes depict black men trying to rape white women and Negros destroying the south however, the Ku Klux Klan is riding to the rescue. Bogle also recorded some scenes in the film that presented blacks as a joke. For instance, Bogle reaffirms that “freed Negro legislators are depicted as lustful, arrogant, and idiotic: one bites on a chicken leg, another sneaks a drink from a liquor bottle, and another removes his shows during legislative meetings” (12).
On the third Monday in January, we celebrate a man who helped change the course of history in the way people treat others who are different than them. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was an African American clergyman and civil rights leader for who was made famous by the glorious speech “I Have a Dream”. (Norton 1152) In this speech, he spoke of a future where Caucasians and African Americans would no longer be segregated and to not be judged by the color of our skin but to be known together as equal. During his speech, whether he did it purposely or accidently, he used rhetorical devices to help deliver his message to his audience. In the speech, Dr. King used ethos, logos, and pathos to appeal to his audience in an ethical, logical and emotional
I don’t think that the remake could have been made as a serious drama. In its updating of “Guess Who's Coming to Dinner” of 1967, the film demonstrates that a comparable Marxist pattern operates in the cinema, changing a relatively serious depiction of an important and relevant subject into a slick and schmaltzy comedy. In the process of that transformation, the picture also suggests some of the cultural and sociological shifts in American society and attitudes over the last few decades.
Sending a letter to Martin Luther King Jr. was potentially the largest mistake the Eight White Clergymen could have made if they wanted to sustain segregation. They probably did not expect such an eloquent response from an African-American. The letter to King asks him to give up his demonstrations because it only hurts his cause by instigating further hatred and violence. The letter continues on and asks for “...our own Negro community to withdraw support from these demonstrations...” and to instead keep the fight for their rights to the court system and out of the streets. When King replies to this “Call for Unity” he strips the entire letter down and turns it against the authors, making his response over six times longer than the letter. The letter King wrote from Birmingham Jail was a vital turning point in the desegregation movement. If King wasn't arrested then perhaps the letter from the clergymen would have never been authored; however that would also prevent his reply written 24 days prior to the May 10th Birmingham agreement which ended segregation within the city.
...that the dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away and the deep fog of misunderstanding will be lifted from our fear drenched communities” (Dr, king 10). Dr. King believed that one day African American will be treated fairly and also every citizen will be treated one another will love and respect. As a result of Dr. King action, there is no fear anymore toward one another. The most importantly, citizen children don’t have to ask their parents why white people don’t like color people. Dr. King is a very articulate person because he measures his words carefully and knows what he wants to say by expressing himself easily and confidently which makes the leaders understand him.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a minister and a civil rights activist during the mid 1950s Civil Rights movement. Dr. King was one of the major influencers in changing federal and state laws in the betterment, by removing segregational laws, of the African American community. Dr. King won a Nobel Peace Prize along with other awards for his involvement in raising awareness of the civil liberties being taken away from the African American community. One of the reasons why Dr. King was so influential in his movements, along with his speeches, was because he was able to communicate his and the African American community’s feelings towards segregation and use his orating and writing abilities to move that community into action. King was highly motivated to do what was right and did not care of the consequences of acting out towards his suppressors. The Letter from Birmingham Jail is a perfect example of a time King uses his ability to communicate feelings into getting a large group of people to join his movement. Although his letter had little to no effect on the issues of Birmingham, since by the time the letter was written most issues had been resolved, it did help gain support for the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The Letter from Birmingham Jail uses pathos to criticize the white church and gain sympathy for the atrocious acts committed towards the African American community to increase the white churches’ support for integration.
In the Black Ball, John was so disillusioned that he did not know what to do when a white man was friendly to him. “Not used to anything like that, are you? ... Fellow like me offering a fellow like you something besides a rope” (Ellison, 346). John’s mindset was so ingrained in the accepted terms that the black man was inferior to the white man, that he automatically refused a nice offer from a white man. He was so disillusioned and passive that he never imagined that a white man would be good to him. Contrarily, in Young Goodman Brown, Brown had the mindset that those in the church and in his community that had high standing were pure and holy on the inside as well as out. When the evil older gentleman with him said that he had a close acquaintance with many of the high and important people in the country, Goodman Brown cried out, “Can this be so?’… with a stare of amazement at his undisturbed companion” (Hawthorne, 58). When young Goodman Brown’s mindset was disproved, he became disillusioned, and when John’s mindset was disproved, it revealed his
In the video (The Last Word - John F. Kennedy’s ‘Finest Moment’ [4:44]), JFK discusses the freedom and privileges that every American, regardless of their race or background, should be living with. “It (freedom) ought to be possible, therefore, for American students of any color to attend any public institution they select, without having to be backed up by troops. It ought to be possible for American consumers of any color to receive equal service in places of public accommodation, such as hotels and restaurants, and theatres and retail stores without being forced to resort to demonstrations in the street,” JFK said. This evidence correlates to William’s father’s idea that someday, they would have the freedom to do things without confirmation of someone else regarding race. So, William’s father knew that someday, he would be right, and he and William would go get water in the future without anyone unfairly forcing them to wait
The Man Who Came to Dinner is a comedic film in which a well-known radio show host, Sherry Whiteside, is invited to dinner with the Stanley family. Sherry ends up slipping on a patch of ice, and dramatically insists on staying there for several weeks on account of his injury. The quirky and often irritating character brings to the Stanley home many antics, including having convict guests, receiving strange gifts, and significantly increasing the telephone bill. Eventually, a “miracle” happens right as Mr. Stanley gets to the end of his rope, and Sherry is able to walk again. On his way out the door, he slips on another patch of ice, and is brought inside once more. An ironic and comedic ending to the film.