If there was to be a race, there would only be one, the human race. The division of human beings into different races has been constructed by society itself based on legal, cultural and social aspects as stated in the reading. The concept of race has been passed along through multiple generations and this has had multiple effects ranging from racism to identity construction based on race. Racism and other negative elements like racial privilege that race carries along with it can be interpreted under a superiority complex lens with one race having a generalised idea of being better than others hence feeling the need to oppress them just because of their differences in skin color, hair texture and other variations that all human beings essentially share. A sense of belonging together with construction of identity based on racially formed cultures is evident in modern and past eras and is also another element of race. Media has had it’s fair share of engraving the racial construct into society with explicit racist shows and movies as illustrated in the “I am not your negro” documentary. The construct of race at that time allowed racist movies and shows to be produced but due to the fight for racial justice along the years, the media has of course resorted to production of the anti-racist elements for example “the hate you give” and many other movies discussing the negative elements that the “race construct” carries with it. Movies like “the black panther” were thought to have an impact on the black community. Media productions have also embraced cultural diversity and inclusion so it is safe to say that the media has promoted the idea of race with both positive and negative impacts if critically analysed from ancient to modern times.
3 thoughts on “Race – Alvin Mugarura”
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I agree that the media has made a gradual transition for the better in the way it displays race and racial issues. This is a very positive and necessary step forward in the fight towards racial justice. However, I wonder if one day we will reach a point where the positive portrayals of race outweigh the negative portrayals of race in the past. Perhaps in the near future, stories focused on race and illustrating various cultures will be seen even more frequently, so children can grow up seeing themselves represented on screen.
I agree with everything you said, especially how if there was to be a race, there would only be the human race. I liked your note about how, in both the past and present eras, people have experienced a sense of belonging based on their racially and culturally formed groups. I think this is a positive thing for many people. Having a sense of belonging and a sense of community is important for someone’s well being. And, as different racial/cultural groups unjustly experience oppression, having a supportive community can be very beneficial. I also agree that the media has had a large influence on racial constructs in society. Media in the past has been especially problematic by promoting racist stereotypes, though I think more current movies/tv shows have done a better job at educating people about race and pushing against racist ideas. However, more progress is necessary with more diverse casts/directors.
I think movies like Black Panther are very important in tearing down racial stereotypes and becoming a more inclusive society. It is great not just to see African culture depicted in film, but to have it be depicted in a way that properly represents its music, art, dance, and many other cultural facets. Additionally, having a cast that is almost entirely black allows for a large say in how their culture will be represented on screen. Kids look up to superheroes, and for an African-American child to see a superhero that looks more like them is huge for their understanding of self-worth. This is the kind of media that can help reconcile the damage it has caused in creating harmful stereotypes.