Review Assignment: Offensive Movie Clich That Won't Die (Essay Sample)
read matt zoller seitz's article " the offensive movie CLICHÉ that won't die" (356-360) and evaluate its central argument using examples and /or counterexample from film, television or other media. does seitz (or any of its sources) have any biases with regard to his argument?
what makes him ( or any of his sources) credible or nt credible? are the examples he gives relevant to his argument?
Rubric:
1 point for a clear identification of seitz argument in the introductory material
1 point for a specific evaluative argument in the thesis
1 point for a body paragraph which addresses the issue of bias in seitz's argument
1 point for a body paragraph which addresses credibility
1 point for a body paragraph which examines the relevance of his examples
1 point for specific examples or counterexamples in all body paragraphs
1 point for arriving at conclusions earned in the body and which expand upon the thesis
1 point for an effective tone and appropriate voice
1 point for college- level spelling, grammar, and punctuation
1 point for correct apa format
The Offensive Movie Cliché That Won’t Die
Name:
Institution:
The Offensive Movie Cliché That Won’t Die
Sietz’s article attempts to iterate “Magical Negro†in the present real life and media examples as well. The motif is the designation of the black character existence to the advantage of the white characters. Sietz uses examples of characters such as Danny Glover and Will Smith (playing the Magical Negro) for the assertion of his arguments. Moreover, he argues that roles that positively portrayed the blacks have darks sides characterized with the motif of making the race subject, as well as the status of the blacks in American to be of little worry to the population. It ignores the bitterness that is justifiable that black’s encounter and meditates on the perspective of the whites. Besides, the Obama’s presidency is used as an illustration for the real life of “Magical Negro†character (Seitz, 2010).
The “Magic Negro:†could not be described better than Matt Zollar Sietz did. The cliché is usually characterized by similar characters on the majority of the films to the extent that what the character might do or say can be preempted. Seitz describes "Magical Negro" to be a character acting as a mentor to the white hero (Shanley, 2014).
The American culture tends to portray these characters to be soughT of the light of the movies. That is, it as if someone is providing guidance on what is right or wrong. There is no need for the actors to feel being offended despite the fact that all the actors from Hollywood are faceted into this category. In fact, they should not only embrace but also accept the way they are being portrayed or seen (Shanley, 2014). Some words are better left unpronounced even if they are not geared towards hurting individuals even though they may be offensive. About the title, it is only a cliché, and that Hollywood keeps embracing it. In fact, people tend to enjoy these kinds of films or movies regardless of what others think. They not only illuminate some great meanings to these films but also impact some lessons to be learnt (Seitz, 2010).
Zollar argues that the word “negro†has been employed differently during the past four decades. It began falling out of fashion four decades ago, and this may explain why it is apparently devastating. It is a word that was employed to comfort the white and militantly to oppositional the black race. It enquired for both dignity and autonomy without incorporating the more step for the assertion of its existence with or lack of approval of the white American (Shanley, 2014). For example, in the movie called The “Green Mile†the power of the character is used to benefit the whites.
It may be relatively difficult to comprehend how words such as “Negro†changed with time since it is usually perceived to be a racist word. Furthermore, the word is offensive as it describes a race and the race in question has been not only striving but also improving with years. The word (Negro) should not be used because it was used to refer to the blacks during the oppressive eras. To elaborate further, President Obama's election into the highest office or echelon of powers in the US has perhaps created a precedent for a new era. However, controversies should not emanate from this aspect between the blacks and whites especially on race (Seitz, 2010).
Zollar’s argument and conviction on racial tension across the globe is relatively impressive. He argues that everything encompasses competition in the world thus the competition concerning the races is not bad. He asserts that the whites are for the success of the blacks and in return aid them. He uses some movies to illustrate this argument by referring to some movies that reveal the blacks and whites helping one another (Seitz, 2010). However, it can be argued that the "Magical Negro" is often present to provide the white hero with support. It is despite the movie portraying consistently that characters who are African-Americans are similar to the white heroes. Moreover, there is little connection between the white hero and his community. They seemed to possess uncanny ability to do and say what need to be done and sai...
Other Topics:
- Philosophy Essay: Strength and Weaknesses of the Kantian theoryDescription: Give a short account of how the social contract theory works. Analyze the essay from a Kantian and social contract point of view highlighting its strengths...4 pages/≈1100 words| 4 Sources | APA | Literature & Language | Essay |
- Auditors and Regulatory OversightDescription: Auditors and Regulatory Oversight Literature & Language Essay...3 pages/≈825 words| 2 Sources | APA | Literature & Language | Essay |
- Legal Analysis Darling Versus Charleston Memorial HospitalDescription: Jury's decision to rule for the plaintiff as well as elaborate on how the Charleston Community Hospital failed in its ethical responsibility to the patient....2 pages/≈550 words| 5 Sources | APA | Literature & Language | Essay |