AFRS 1501 Final Essay - 575 Points Due Date: Wednesday

AFRS 1501 Final Essay 575 Total Points Due Date: Wednesday, May 4, 2022, at 11:59 PM

You are to write a 1000-word essay (roughly two double-spaced pages), referencing THREE of the DOCUMENTARIES assigned for the SECOND part of this course. In this essay, you are to:

• Determine and explain an original theme for the documentaries you chose that has not been assigned before.
• Show how that theme is present in ALL THREE documentaries you selected.
• Discuss how this theme relates to your own experience as a person living in the U.S. during this time of cultural awakening and conflict.
• Ensure proper use of grammar, punctuation, capitalization, italics, and quotation marks.
• Write clearly to effectively communicate your point.
• Use MLA format correctly for citing your sources.

Please incorporate insights from the documentaries to support your analysis.

Paper For Above instruction

The phenomenon of cultural awakening and conflict is a recurring theme in contemporary society, especially within the context of how different communities navigate identity, history, and societal change. For this essay, I have chosen to explore the theme of "Cultural Resilience in the Face of Oppression," as depicted in three documentaries: "13th" directed by Ava DuVernay, "The Central Park Five" directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Burns, and David McMahon, and "Fruitvale Station" directed by Ryan Coogler. These films vividly illustrate the perseverance of marginalized communities amidst systemic challenges, a theme that resonates deeply with both historical and current struggles for justice in America.

"13th" examines the intersection of race, justice, and mass incarceration in the United States, revealing how historical patterns of systemic racism have persisted from slavery through the modern prison industrial complex. The documentary underscores the resilience of African American communities fighting against an oppressive system designed to incarcerate and disenfranchise them (DuVernay, 2016). Similarly, "The Central Park Five" recounts the wrongful conviction of five Black and Latino teenagers in New York City, highlighting their resilience and dignity despite the injustice they faced. The film not only portrays their wrongful imprisonment but also their ongoing efforts to seek justice and restore their lives, illustrating resilience in confronting racial bias (Burns, 2012). Lastly, "Fruitvale Station" tells the story of Oscar Grant, an African American man shot by police, emphasizing the community's resilience and continued activism against police brutality and racial violence. It captures how communities organize and persist in demanding accountability and systemic change.

Across all three documentaries, the common thread of resilience emerges as communities confront systemic oppression. These films depict individuals and communities actively resisting dehumanization, fighting for justice, and maintaining cultural dignity in the face of adversity. This theme exemplifies the broader narrative of marginalized groups in America, who, despite historical and ongoing struggles, continue to assert their humanity and push for societal transformation. The resilience shown is not only about enduring hardship but also about actively challenging the structures of oppression, often leading to wider social awareness and change.

Reflecting on my own experience living in the United States today, I see this theme of resilience vividly in the ongoing social justice movements, such as Black Lives Matter, and in the daily acts of resistance by marginalized individuals. The documentaries deepen my understanding of the importance of resilience in confronting systemic racism and injustice. As a resident of this country during a period marked by protests and calls for reform, I recognize that my ability to witness and participate in these movements is part of a larger pattern of cultural awakening. These stories reinforce the importance of perseverance and activism in shaping a more equitable society. They remind me that cultural awakening involves acknowledgment of past and present injustices, and resilience is fundamental in the ongoing fight for justice and equality.

In conclusion, the theme of "Cultural Resilience in the Face of Oppression" as depicted in the documentaries "13th," "The Central Park Five," and "Fruitvale Station" reveals the enduring strength of marginalized communities resisting systemic injustice. This resilience is evident not only historically but also in contemporary movements and personal experiences. Understanding this theme enriches my perspective on the collective efforts required to foster societal change and underscores the importance of perseverance in the pursuit of justice.

References

• Burns, S. (Director). (2012). The Central Park Five [Documentary].
• DuVernay, A. (Director). (2016). 13th [Documentary].
• Coogler, R. (Director). (2013). Fruitvale Station. The Weinstein Company.
• Rothstein, R. (2017). The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America. Liveright Publishing.
• Alexander, M. (2010). The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. The New Press.
• Lipsitz, G. (2011). The Democracy of Suffering: Power, Resistance, and the Politics of Memory. University of Minnesota Press.
• Grewal, I. (2014). Transnational America: Feminisms, Diasporas, and Borders. Temple University Press.
• Harney, S., & Moten, F. (2013). The Undercommons: Fugitive Planning & Black Study. Minor Compositions.
• Wilson, W. J. (2012). The Truly Disadvantaged: The Inner City, the Underclass, and Public Policy. University of Chicago Press.
• Kozol, J. (1991). Savage Inequalities: Children in America's Schools. HarperPerennial.