20 Feet from Stardom: "The Other"

The  film, 20 Feet from Stardom, looks at the various setbacks and obstacles faced by historic black backup singers. The film portrays the faces behind some of the biggest names in music like Ray Charles, David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, etc. These backup singers were often overlooked and in the events of going solo, they were not successful. The film demonstrates the history of backup singers and how lead artists were interested in a deep vocal/gospel sound for their music. Only then did these main lead singers want black backups as they had something that the other girls did not; sass and depth. During a certain portion of the film the producers focus on the relationship of Claudia Leanne with Mick Jagger and David Bowie. Jagger mentions several times that she was “Hot.” In fact so hot, she inspired songs by both Bowie and Jagger; “Brown Sugar” and “Lady Grinning Soul.” 

In the Bell Hooks Piece, “Eating the other: Desire and resistance” we see the notion that the majority- those who are a part of the dominant strata (those who are white) are enticed by the exoticism of the other. The other refers to anyone in the minority, however, most accurately in regards to this discussion, the African American community. Hooks also discusses the commodity of the other. She states that those who are different to the majority add spice to season the otherwise bland and weak taste of mainstream White culture. In the example of this film we see this portrayed in the music industry. According to the documentary, these women were often exploited by those who they held a contract with. However, though the inclusion of diversity we see the lives of these white males become richer and better, yet, this demonstrates that the, “white male desire must be sustained by the “labor” of a dark other," an idea explained by Hooks.

 In the perspective of gender through  Gloria Anzaldua's novel Borderlands/ La Frontera: The New Mestiza, she states, "Males make the rules and laws;women transmit them." She also states, "Woman is the stranger, the other. she is man's recognized nightmarish pieces, his Shadow-Beast." The women in the film shadowed and served to benefit their lead singers (who were often men.) Despite the great talents of these women, they seemed to be overlooked, they were only wanted for what they could offer to the music of these producers.

The curiosity for “The Other” is something people will continue to look into. The majority finds excitement and thrill by attempting to see what it is like to become “the other.” This explains the desperate want for the black backup singers, as they brought a different flavor to the music industry.

Race Relations: A focus on Zootopia

Many have taken to the movie Zootopia to explain difficult concepts to children. Throughout the movie it is not difficult to see the take on prejudice and stereotypes. The main Character, a bunny, named Judy Hopps has a complex structure of identities. Judy's identity as a bunny or a female bunny depicts marginalization, when no one believed she could be a police officer. As part of the non-predator group she became a part of the majority, and did not receive the treatment those who were a part of the predator group did. Similarly, there were stereotypes given to each animal.  Judy perceives the city of Zootopia as a place where anyone can do anything, and everyone can live in peace and harmony, often times diminishing the discrimination and prejudices other characters identify. In the book Racism without Racists, Eduardo Bonilla Silva talks about the idea of Color Blind Racism which refers to the notion that if we stop talking about racism it will go away, or the idea that we shouldn't see race, just humans. This movie does a great job challenging this because no animal is the same, and their differences are acknowledged.

The lead male character felt the need to conform to the stereotype of the “sly fox.” Nick, the fox, had a sense of internalized oppression, in which he acted out on the stereotypes that were created about him when he was young. If he was to be treated as a criminal all the time, why not just act like a criminal? This depicts that how minor stereotyping and prejudicial attitudes can impact the lives of the young.

Gloria Anzaldua, in the book, Borderlands La Frontera: The New Mestiza, looks at the divisions those that are minorities have with the majority. She discusses how minorities should allow the majority to be our allies. She suggests minorities introduce the majority to their ways of being, culture, history and needs. The animals in this film are aware of their differences. Judy realized the prejudice she had about Nick and even learned from him.

Looking deeper into this film, we can see the metaphor of the majority-non predators, and the minority- predators. Comparing this film to current day we can see the white population as the majority and the African American community as the minority. On the scene with the bus we see a mother bunny pulling her bunny child closer to her away from a tiger.

One thing wrong with this metaphor is that Judy stated that it was a part of the predator animals' biology to be savage. Although this may be extremely accurate for animals and for the film, in the analogy we see the confirmation of the ignorant remarks made by racist scientists stating blacks were biologically more savage/aggressive, and the remarks made by Hillary Clinton when she referred to black kids as, "superpredators," during the war on drugs. Although the metaphor can be set for interpretation, I believe it portrays black and white relations in the U.S.

"Do the Right Thing" Racial Tensions within Society.

Spike Lee's "Do the Right Thing" looks at a small New York neighborhood, in which everyone knows everyone.  Through the prevalence of the working and living dynamics between Italians, Asians, Puerto Ricans, and African Americans, we are able to see some racial tensions. Something in particular upsets Buggin' Out, a young black male in the community. Sal, an Italian owner of a Pizzeria located in the small town has a wall of fame within his restaurant. Buggin' Out believed that because the pizzeria is located in a black neighborhood the wall should include black people, however, Sal disagrees. Mookie, being the mediator throughout the film, precipitated the riot at the end of the film after Radio Raheem was killed by the police. He makes the decision that is captured by two quotes, one of Martin Luther King against the use of violence, and one from Malcom X arguing that violence is intelligent when used as self defense. As Mookie threw the trashcan through Sal's pizzeria window we can see both why he should have done it, and why he should have not.

The film does a great job looking at how members of a community give space a meaning. The production of space by Henri Lefebvre, looks at the different forms of space we as human beings create. He identifies three spaces, the perceived space, the conceived, space, and lived space. Identities can be tied to a space, just as space can be a constituent of interethnic social relations. The lived space, as describe by Lefebvre, refers to spaces of representation, which is the realm of struggle, counter discourses, and resistance. This space is easily portrayed in "Do the Right Thing." Sal was perceived and always attempted to prove himself as part of the community until he showed otherwise, by referring to the kids that grew up on his food as "niggers." Sal, although attempting to incorporate himself into the community had an underlying prejudice, and often fell into stereotyping. He would seem compassionate to the kids of the community, yet would refer to their music as "jungle music." Like wise, one of Sal's sons was in a similar position, while the other openly expressed his feelings as an outsider.

Overall, this movie portrays the accuracy of racial tensions and prejudices within society, which is an issue relevant to current events, especially with current politics being placed that are directed towards specifics group of people. Likewise, the movie also looked at the issue of police brutality, an issue that is extremely relevant to this day.