Mississippi Masala, "Do the Right Thing" and "Scarface."
Over the years, Hollywood and independent filmmakers have taken the 'American identity' and given audiences an opportunity to view the multi-faceted ethnicity of community-based ethics and interracial harmonies - or lack thereof. America has become a melting pot of cultures and beliefs that have had to fight off social stereotypes and fight against anglo-conformity.
Directors like Brian De Palma, Mira Nair and Spike Lee have taken their audiences into the heart of ethnic racism in communities and the struggle some cultures face in order to survive against 'Americanization' and the paradox of achieving their 'American Dream'.
In De Palma's remake of "Scarface," the 1980 Mariel boat lift from Cuba formed the backdrop and set the stage for Tony Montana's desire to gradually manifest his destiny that eventually leads to his self-destruction.
Drawing on historical fact involving the North Miami refugee camps, including Freedom Town, and the social scene of the early 1980s, "Scarface" is a testimony to interracial struggles that continue today as well as the underworld element that still exists in the United States. This stereotype of 'Chicano' drug cartels, 'Pachuco' youths and gangs continues to plague many communities today, either through their attempts to co-exist with drug gangs, or through social ignorance.
Another film that shows intercultural assimilation is Mira Nair's "Mississippi Masala" in which an African-American and an East Indian pursue a romantic relationship. Besides drawing on the views of the South towards African-Americans, Nair introduces East Indian views towards miscegenation (mixed marriages) as they strive to retain their cultural identity in an otherwise Western ideology-dominated environment.
Both families protest the relationship, not because it is interracial, but in fear of their own identities being swallowed up by racism and another culture. There is a fear that ethnogenesis will wither away and communities will evolve into a caricature of traditions and beliefs where materialism and the 'American Dream' out-rank traditional customs, costume, language and even foods. Nair artistically tells her story involving these traditions and customs as they interplay with American culture and style.
While "Mississippi Masala" contemplates relationships between two people who are not facing problems with pigmentocracy, "Do the Right Thing" culminates over racial tensions in a community that co-exists, though not always successfully. Spike Lee takes us into an everyday New York suburb, Brooklyn and shows us exactly what happens when 'good neighbor policy' works, and then doesn't.
Brooklyn is probably one of the most well-known areas of New York, aside from Harlem, and giving the audience a place they can recognize, gave Spike Lee the opportunity to tell a story that involved current aspects of society that were (and still are) common-place in other neighborhoods and towns.
The main character, Mookie, is everyone's friend.
He is the archetype of what we would like to consider ourselves: non-racial. Vito, his boss, on the other hand is racist and does not get along well with Mookie. Pino is the exact opposite of his brother…
Chicano Studies Describe the significance of the invention of agriculture to the development of Mesoamerica. When and where did it happen? What were the consequences of this invention? The ancient Mexico was the branch of the region that is often regarded as Middle America or Mesoamerica. This culturally developed region encompasses the entire Mexico, Belize and Guatemala, and forming extensions into the division of Honduras. Mexico the area of central focus of
S. They have always struggled for dignity and will continue to do so. 4. The quebradita clubs indicate that social hierarchies and political consciousness exist at all levels of society, and that young people want something to fight for and believe in. The dance became so popular in the U.S. because it represented a fight against the backlash against immigrants and Hispanics, and also gave new information on Mexican culture to
Rodolfo Acuna's The Making of Chicano Studies opens the door to an often-neglected chapter in American studies of history, sociology, and culture. Acuna's book primarily traces the evolution of Chicano studies as an academic discipline. However, in the course of discussions about Chicano pedagogy and curriculum, the author addresses the actual meat of the subject itself. The Making of Chicano Studies has earned its position and placement on the shelves
Through the examination of land use in a given area, local government can locate areas of large urban cities where homelessness and poverty are high, and can thus develop assistance programs in areas that require such assistance (Ahn, 6). For example, areas that have high populations but little affordable housing can be identified, in order for funds to be appropriated to those areas, as needed. Impact of Racism on Housing
Chicano Movement was one of numerous movements for human rights and social justice that took place and reach great heights in American during the 1960s. The Chicano people were and are Mexican-Americans. Mexican-Americans advocated and organized so that there experiences and voices would be heard and respected. They, like many other groups fighting for justice and freedom in America, protested, demonstrated, held vigils, rallies, sang songs, and confronted the politicians
This growing population group surely has much more to offer than service industry work. Once again, the Texas community sets an example not only in leadership, but also in the possibilities of uplifting educational opportunities for the Latino community. Indeed, the Texas program is driven by the Latino community itself, with intellectuals setting examples in leadership and education that can only be inspiring to their peers and to future generations.
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