thoughts on the film

I believe that the people in both the films that cry and get annoyed the most are the ones that actually know what is saying becasue they are the ones that use that type of language.  When she says these things to them they imagine how they feel and how the person must feel when they probably used it against them.  I think they do not cry because they are scared or mad.  They cry because they are annoyed by themselves.  The person they see and hear is themselves saying these things and when they think about it.  Maybe people, images or suffering they started without any real reason, just to harm, is all they can think about.  the individuals that cry are the true real racist people and they can think only of cring to protect themselves. 

Comments

[Chris LoDolce]

What you said, about their only defense is crying I totally agree with in some of the cases of the people in the films. In one or two cases I also seemed like the people were crying becasue of what they had never felt or recognized before. Through their experience they felt somthing their never imagened could be possible.
I hope we can talk about this more in class tomorrow.
Chris LoDolce

[Shotokan]

These are very bold statements, and perhaps true in some cases. Edison, what bothers me about your statements is that you are speaking in absolutes-as if you know exactly what is going through the heads of these people. Remember that jane Elliot's Diversity Awareness seminars are not aimed directly at racist people, but rather serve to make people realize how harmful it is. I believe you have misunderstood the intent behind her project, but I do recognize the value in your statement-but it is not applicable in the realm of absolutes, as you have placed it. Is is possible that the people crying could have friends that are minorities? We all should try to look at racism from a global perspective, not just a white vs. all or an all vs. white. I know that sounds typical coming from a caucasion dude, but remember that my god parents are black (lived with them for two years as well) and that my background is that of Native American decent. Every ethnic group, every society has some form of prejedice embedded into it. We would all benefit from looking at racism as an ideal...not as a war between races.

[Edison Rua]

Ok, i know the statement that the people that were crying in the film were crying because they felt uncomfortable, or because they are racists. i said that because that is how i believe they would act. Elliot was not doing anything to offend the people she was just commenting on the color or something they all had compared to the people on he outside. If just cracking on someone would make them cry many people how cry everyday.
You state something on racism on a global prespective, but first i would like you to consider. Why are we looking at global racisim if it exist here where we are right now? Who are we to say something to other people if we have the problems ourselves.
Another thing just because a person has friends that are from a different race does not mean they are not racists. Being racist and saying i am not racist because i have a "black friend." really is not a reason it is more like a cover up. I believe the friend no matter what they are it is your friend because you have something in common.
Being racist is not only knowing a particluar group of people it is not likeing a group of individuals in a group becasue of their physical attibutes.