Volumes

English 318 African-American Film and Culture class has been a good experience for me this semester. Through the independent films we digested the culture for African- American lives in a different perspective. What story really lies behind the screen or between the lines of scripts, songs and or articles, what is my culture and what are these artist trying to tell me. This class has taught me a lot about society from before I was born to what I am currently living through now. For the future of English 318 students I would suggest that you be open minded. Martin Luther King said it best “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter.” So while in this class live and let your opinion be heard because you may speak volumes to another person. Also, future 318 students this course moves pretty quickly so always be prepared you get out what you put in. Thank you Dr. J for this Amazing course!!

Stand Your Ground

Ava DuVernay a woman who is guiding and directing lives through her films. DuVernay films teaches me motivation, advocacy and history. I say motivation because in her film Middle of Nowhere about a strong women by the name of Ruby. Ruby faces many obstacles in her marriage and in her life but one thing Ruby never did was give up she pushed and moved forward to continue with her life. DuVernay quotes "When you're in your lane, there's no traffic." Ruby character portrays this very well.

 In DuVernay’s movie Selma she taught me history she took my view points from out of the school books for once. While watching Selma I began to learn history and what advocacy was during that time period. She created political perspective of the black middle class in Selma. DuVernay films are so close to reality that while I am watching I am always on my toes and thinking about my culture and life at all times. These films taught me that you should stand up for what is right there are no limitation for what you believe in. Do not let nothing hold you back

 

African American Film

"We don't look nothing like the people on the screen."

             On the first day we talked about images. There was four sub topics what is an image? What kind of story does images tell? Significances of Images and Audience. Media is the most powerful force in the world. Bell Hook article  "Black Looks: Race and Representation" this article stood out to me because Bell Hook talks about the mass media and how African Americans still have not made much of a change in the area of representation. African Americans are generalized as illiterate, poor and incapable. However, there are many African Americans who are capable of completing the same task as there white counterparts and are just as beautiful as there white counter parts but the darker skin will still be seen as incapable and not good enough. The media brainwashes society and making it seem as though the lighter skin is better.

 Decolonization must take place and African Americans have to rise pass the hate that is portrayed in media. I define whiteness as invisible through the eyes of whites; it is a normative privilege that oppresses racial minorities through inequality, subordination and power. nobody skin tone should define the capability society has to stop "othering" and see everyone equal no one or nobody is better than the other.