Whiteness in Film

Ever since the advent of film, the screen has largely been dominated by Caucasian actors. Perhaps this is because early and even modern day film makers cater to the fact that the majority of the nation's population is white, which in turn will hopefully lead to more ticket sales. This has caused other films with actors of other ethnicities to be labled as "black" or whichever race the actors happen to be. Of course it is easier for a viewer to identify himself with the protaganist if he is of the same race, but the standard of whiteness in film, although it is on the decline since the early 20th century, has such a strong hold in the film industry that film makers almost expect every viewer to be able to relate to a caucasian actor as the standard. The trend over the last few decades in response to this is to include a token character of a different race in order to avoid the film being labeled racist, but this just confirms the notion that even film makers are aware of the white standard that is prevalent in film. Films have also created stereotypes for certain races that carried on until the end of the century. The essay listed examples such as Italian Americans who were labeled with the mobster or "Guido" stigma, and Irish Americans, who were often portrayed as unintelligent drunks. However, I believe that instead of race, economic status plays more of a role in determining what the standard for film is. Film companies target who they believe will be willing to spend the most moeney on film, and because Caucasians hold a lot of the wealth in the nation, film makers believe that they will be the most likely to buy tickets.

whiteness

Whiteness is simply the color of one's skin. Certain connotations come with every race but I feel they should be disregarded [though they never are. Stereotypical representations cannot be ignored but this does not mean they should be considered true. This only encourages the continuation of prejudices and racist behavior. These prejudices are both conscious and unconscious in peoples minds and people overlook them as if its no big deal. People and their character should not be regarded simply by the color of their skin or even their income. Problems among races stem from feelings of inequality and fear of others gaining power. Whiteness in America goes along with the ideas of being more powerful, making more money, and generally living better off than everyone else though the white majority isseen in a negative light. People like Derek fall into racist tendencies striving to reinforce and assert the "power" the white man supposedly holds. Though racism is still an issue, I feel like the superiority and idea that whiteness is better is disintegrating in these modern times.

White.

I did not read the article, please don’t judge me.



I think whiteness is more than just the color of a person's skin. To some people, it's who you associate with, who you hate, and what defines the way you live your life. As with Derek Vinyard, it consumed his life. I like to think of myself as nothing like Derek Vinyard. To me, being white is just the way someone sees me. The way someone sees me is not who I am. One’s personality goes way deeper than that, and I think most people can agree with me. Skin color does not define what kind of person I am, and it shouldn’t for anyone. According to some, I’m not even a true white person, or a WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant.) My family is Catholic, so I wouldn’t even know how it would feel to be truly “white.” Whiteness has also somewhat turned into this mentality of superiority that some people adopt to make themselves feel more elite. One of my friends seems to have adopted this mentality, calling non-whites by every racial slur possible. That is not what it means to be white, but rather a twisted way of making yourself feel superior to minorities.

This link was pretty interesting. It basically lists out a lot of questions that people with this white mentality would ask themselves to prove their superiority.

White America and the Divide

I personally believe that in America there are many different standards to being “white.” In America, if you are white, you are considered to be the prominent race. (This may not stand in later years though.) To be white, means that a person is from the Caucasian race. Although this may not stand in other countries, what you do in America can also define you as being white. Many people see and would probably agree that white people hold higher class jobs and make more money while other races hold the poorer, lower class jobs. The white race today has been associated for years with racism and prejudice. I think that this may also define whiteness in America. I am not saying that all white people are racist, but there are a good number of them. According to the article, “racism exists in America.” Many people think that African Americans are associated with breaking the law many people think that whites are associated with racism. People do not see the other side to this though. Racism is a two way street. Black hate white, and whites hate black. In America today to be white means to have power. A white male is America today has a greater power over the rest of the people here. This is how people think. To be white, to me almost means to be American. A country founded by white people to me is a white country.

American History X

Whiteness is...

For me if one refers to "whiteness" it just means someone's skin is light. I suppose a textbook example of "whiteness" is the WASP, white Anglo-Saxon Protestant. In "The Concept of Whiteness and American Film," I think the author has a much different view of what "whiteness" truely is. For example, the author uses the example of Irish immigrants in America in the early 20th century. Irish were refered to as "white niggers" because like the blacks they were impoverished and discriminated against. In response to this, the Irish tried to disassociate themselves from the blacks and asert thier "whiteness," in other words, asert thier superiority. This is exaclty what Derek does in American History X. He is a working class white male, angry about his social status. So he tries to elevate himself with his hatred of not just blacks, but all non-whites. There is a scene where Danny says he hates everyone who is not white Protestant. In other words, "whiteness" for Derek, Danny, and the author of "In Concept of Whiteness" is not just a racial issue. "Whiteness" is not just the color of one's skin or even one's economic class because Derek and Danny are working class, and the Irish were able to assert thier whiteness despite thier poverty.