RACISM 2 Racism Name Institution Author Note Racism Movie: The Help (2011) Cast: Jessica Chastain, Bryce Dallas Howard, Octavia Spencer, Viola Davis, Emma Stone Director: Tate Tylor Synopsis The help is a movie that focusses on racism which is one of the major sociological topics being taught in sociology classes today. It is a story of a young woman who is white and an aspiring journalist. The film focusses on her relationship with two maids who were black during the civil rights movement in 1963. In her quest to become a legitimate writer and journalist, she decides to write a book to expose the racism that the black maids faced as they worked with the white families (Mauricio, 2017). Plot In the film, Eugenia ‘Skeeter’ Phelan (real name Emma Stone) is a recent graduate from the University of Mississippi and a friend to Elizabeth Leefolt who is also a socialite and an employer. However, Skeeter is not pleased by the racist altitude her friend has towards their black maids. The situation gets worse when Hilly orders that a separate bathroom should be set up for the maids. For her refusal to use the help's toilet, one of the maids named Minny. The maid eventually get employed by Celia where she later meets with Skeeter and joins the book project. By then, Skeeter had learned that her mother fired her childhood maid for unclear reasons an issue she later confronts her mother about the cause that led to the firing of her maid. In the aftermath of J.F Kennedy assassination Skeeter, Minny and Aibileen are worried that the maid’s predicaments will be known. Minny reveals all her escapade when working for Hilly whose inclusion in the book may prompt him to deny that the book is about his actions. The book is then anonymously published, and it's a success story. Minny gets assured of a job owing to her excellent relation with Celia. In revenge for her assistance to Skeeter in the book production, Aibileen faces a theft allegation. She focusses on her future as writer henceforth (Mauricio, 2017). Review The film focusses on the impacts of racism in society. The employer in the movie, Hilly, is seen to expose her black maid to malicious acts by racially discriminating them. Thus, when Skeeter visits Elizabeth her socialite friend and comments about liking the girls she knows she has offended Hilly. In this concept, the three levels that describe racism that is personal, structural and internalized racism. The act of setting up a different bathroom for the maids is an act of structural racism where the race determines access to services, goods, and opportunities. This racism is inherently a disadvantage in that society inherits the vice from one generation to another. Conclusion This film is an intriguing and lesson-filled set of artwork. The movie lays great emphasis on the racism facing African American domestic workers commonly referred to as ‘helps' in the 1960s. Racism is one of the most significant topics discussed in sociology has been brought out. The movie is recommendable to anyone willing to address the issue of racism in society today. The problem is brought out, and later the people learn how to co-exist peacefully despite their different racial affiliations. Reference Mauricio, D. (2017). The Help Full Movie. [Video File]. Retrieved on April 9, 2019, from . Your Name Goes Here American Public University System Start your introductory paragraph(s) here (i.e., delete all of my paragraphs of instruction after reading through them, and replace them with your own paragraphs for your essay). Leave the font for your essay on Arial 10, double-spaced (except for the reference page, which is single spaced). Leave the margins at 1 inch. Leave page numbering set to automatically number each page of the body of your essay in the upper-right corner of the page (the title page and reference page should not be numbered). The body of your essay should be 3-4 pages long (minimum of 1500 words), not including your title page and reference page. Write free flowing text (allow your writing to automatically wrap around to the next line as you type – do not hit Enter at the end of each line within a paragraph). Organize your essay into paragraphs within each section, but make sure all writing is in prose paragraphs (full sentences and complete paragraphs). Do not use lists in your essay and do not write in bullet statements. The only indentations you should have in your essay is one tab at the start of each paragraph, just like I have modeled for you in the way I have written these instructions. Do not put blank lines between paragraphs and do not put blank lines before or after section headings and sub-headings. You may include images or tables in your essay, if you deem them appropriate, but they do not count toward the 3-4 pages of body text that you are required to write, so adjust the length of your essay accordingly to compensate for space taken up by the images and/or tables. You should customize the title page by replacing the first two lines of text with your essay’s title and your name, respectively. You should also replace the heading at the top of this page with your essay’s title. However, do not modify or remove the section sub-headings that appear below, throughout the rest of your essay (i.e., “Server-Side Hardware Requirements,†“Server-Side Software Requirements,†“Client-Side Hardware Requirements,†“Client-Side Software Requirements,†“Analysis of Competitive Advantage,†“Recommendations for Improvement,†“Conclusion,†and “Referencesâ€) and do not add additional sub-headings. Leave all of the section sub-headings in your document to keep it organized. Everyone is required to write the same sections in their essay. You will analyze your own unique approved information system, filling in each section of this template appropriately. Write in your own words and remember that your similarity rating must be 5% or less. Try to paraphrase and explain information you learn from your sources in your own words, rather than quoting from your sources. Your reference page does not count towards your 5% allowable similarity. To check this, after your TurnItIn report is generated, there should be a filter you can click on in the report that will bring up the option to “Exclude Bibliography.†After selecting this option, your adjusted similarity rating needs to be 5% or less. I will select “Exclude Bibliography†on all essays before grading them, to adjust the actual similarity rating in your essay and confirm it is no more than 5%. 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Paper For Above instruction

The film "The Help" (2011) provides a compelling portrayal of racism during the Civil Rights Movement in 1963. It highlights various forms of racial discrimination faced by Black domestic workers in Mississippi, illustrating both personal and systemic racism. This paper explores how the film depicts these forms of racism, their societal impact, and how it portrays efforts to challenge racial injustices. Additionally, it analyzes the potential for the film’s themes to influence societal perceptions and the importance of understanding racism as a complex, multifaceted issue.

Introduction

"The Help" is a poignant film that sheds light on the pervasive racism faced by African American maids during the 1960s in the American South. Through the perspectives of different characters, the film explores personal relationships, societal expectations, and systemic policies that perpetuate racial inequalities. This paper examines the depiction of racism in the movie, its societal implications, and the lessons it imparts about confronting racial prejudices and promoting social justice.

Depiction of Racism in the Film

At the core of the film, racism is depicted at multiple levels, including personal, structural, and internalized racism. Personal racism manifests through individual acts of discrimination, such as Hilly’s insistence on segregation policies, including the establishment of separate bathrooms for Black maids. This act embodies structural racism, which refers to systemic inequalities embedded within societal institutions that advantage one race over another. The film vividly illustrates how these policies foster an environment of racial segregation and inequality, reinforcing the subordinate status of Black workers. Internalized racism, though less explicitly shown, might be inferred from the acceptance or resignation of some characters to the status quo, highlighting the psychological effects of systemic discrimination.

The film also emphasizes the social dynamics that sustain racism, such as the complicity of White families in maintaining discriminatory practices. For example, Elizabeth Leefolt and her friend Hilly knowingly uphold racist norms, which serve as societal sanctions for Black individuals. The character of Skeeter represents a challenge to these norms, demonstrating how individual agency can confront systemic racism. Her decision to document and publish the experiences of Black maids exemplifies resistance against ingrained racial prejudices.

Societal Impact of Racism portrayed in the film

The film vividly shows the damaging effects of racism on Black domestic workers and the broader community. The segregation laws and discriminatory policies limit opportunities and perpetuate economic and social disparities. The act of segregated bathrooms, for instance, is not just symbolic; it physically enforces racial boundaries, leading to humiliation and dehumanization of Black maids like Minny and Aibileen. Such systemic practices foster a culture of racial intolerance and mistrust that persists across generations.

Moreover, the film depicts the psychological toll of racism through characters like Minny and Aibileen, whose resilience and courage challenge societal norms. The decision by Skeeter and the maids to speak out and share their stories acts as a form of activism, encouraging societal reflection and dialogue about racial injustice. The book within the film becomes a tool to expose the realities of racism and promote awareness, illustrating the power of storytelling in social change.

Lessons and Societal Relevance

"The Help" offers vital lessons about confronting racial prejudices and promoting equality. It emphasizes that change often begins with individual courage and challenging entrenched societal norms. The film underscores the importance of empathy, solidarity, and standing up against injustice. It also highlights the importance of acknowledging systemic structures that perpetuate inequality, such as discriminatory laws and practices, and working toward dismantling them.

Furthermore, the movie’s themes remain relevant today as discussions about racial inequality continue. It reminds viewers that the legacies of racism are still present and require active efforts to address. The film encourages ongoing conversations on diversity, equity, and inclusion, highlighting that social justice is an ongoing process requiring collective action.

Conclusion

"The Help" is a powerful cinematic reflection on racism's multifaceted nature, emphasizing the importance of awareness, resistance, and social change. By depicting the personal and systemic violence inflicted on Black domestic workers, the film inspires viewers to recognize and challenge racial injustices in their own communities. Its enduring message is that confronting racism requires courage, empathy, and persistent effort. As society continues to evolve, understanding these historical lessons is essential in building a more inclusive and equitable future.

References

• Mauricio, D. (2017). The Help Full Movie. [Video File]. Retrieved on April 9, 2019, from .
• Feagin, J. R. (2014). Racist America: Roots, current realities, and future reparations. Routledge.
• Bonilla-Silva, E. (2018). Racism without racists: Color-blind racism and the persistence of racial inequality. Rowman & Littlefield.
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• DiAngelo, R. (2018). White fragility: Why it's so hard for white people to talk about racism. Beacon Press.
• Feagin, J. R. (2019). Systemic racism and American injustice. Routledge.
• Henry, F. (2016). Racism, colonialism, and resistance: A critical history. Canadian Journal of Political Science, 49(2), 389-408.
• Bonilla-Silva, E., & Forman, T. (2019). Cultural racism, race-conflict, and the shift to color-blind racism. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 677(1), 102-123.
• Alexander, M. (2012). The new Jim Crow: Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness. The New Press.
• Crenshaw, K., Gotanda, N., Peller, G., & Thomas, K. (1995). Critical race theory: The key writings that formed the movement. The New Press.