Saturday, February 16, 2013

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression


The movie “Queen” by Alex Haley had examples of racial prejudice in it. In the movie there was a biracial girl name Queen that is the daughter of a slave and slave owner. She is being mistreated by the slaves and slave owners family because of her color and position.  When Queen turned five years old her slave owner father moved her to the main house so she could learn to serve and be a lady’s maid. The slave owner’s wife didn’t accept that his daughter from a slave would be living in the same house and being treated the same as them. The daughters grew up as playmates queen also served her half- sister until her death. Everywhere Queen went she was resented by others.  Towards the end of the movie Queen ended up going crazy and having a break down because she was so busy trying to please and be accepted by others. Queen’s grandfather died and she wanted to bring her children so they would know where her life started at. There were still negative comments by the slave owners family member towards Queen so she told her children” that home is where you are loved.”

 

The racial prejudice treatment that Queen received because she was a black slave diminished equity when she approached some slaves because she was hungry. They made fun of her because of the way she ate and because she knew how to read and right.

There was an incident where she met two ladies that hired Queen to work in their home because of her qualifications. Once she started working with the ladies they tried to push their religious beliefs on her and wanted her to stop attending her church and attend theirs.

This movie brought back how there are still prejudice people in the world today of every race. There are still organizations that represent the klu klux klan in the south. Parishes in Louisiana within the last five years just started holding High School Proms and taking senior trips together.

We as a people should become more united to bring about a change. We as a nation would have a greater equity if we can come together for the good of the people. Learn to get along, share views and ideas to bring a greater chance for change.

Reference
Haley, A. (1993). Queen

1 comment:

  1. This seems like a great example to represent the harm that racial biases an oppression can have on a person. I remember from Dr. Sue's presentation on microaggressions, that all of the negative comments compile on one another and have a harmful impact on the individual.

    I would like to think that our society has progressed to accept bi-racial people, but I think, like Queen, that some bi-racial children still question where their place may be.

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