Racist ideologies and concepts have evolved and improved in the world of cinema thanks to the advancements
of racial justice and activism, which has allowed for better representation to be created in film.
- A gist of the current introduction, thesis, and main points:
Film over the years has undergone many different changes and phases of experimentation. More recently,
topics such as racism and racial representation within film have become more and more prevalent. Currently,
racist ideologies and concepts have evolved and improved in the world of cinema thanks to the advancements
of racial justice and activism, which has allowed for better representation to be created in film. Cinema has
come a long way from “Birth of a Nation” to movies like “Get Out”. “Birth of a Nation” promoted racist
ideologies that created a tone for the representation of Black people in America. “Get Out” was a movie that
directly attacked and broke these stereotypes and brought racial issues into the limelight. Cinema has also
been able to grow substantially over the years in the terms of representation. Cinema has also been able to
grow substantially over the years in the terms of representation. From films like “Within Our Gates” that fought
for anti-racist messages within films to films like “Black Panther” that showcased a black superhero for the first
time on a grand scale successfully.
Write an essay that argues and explains the evolution/change/growth of racial issues, ideologies, and
representations in film/cinema history. Give examples of films, and other events that might have helped
influence/aid the growth/change/evolution of cinema throughout the years. Draw references to films such as
“Birth of a Nation” and “Within Our Gates”
Elaborate on the barriers that Oscar Micheaux (director of “Within Our Gates”) encountered as a Black
filmmaker in the early 20th century–specifically segregation in movie theaters and production. How did the shift
in “mainstream” (formerly explicitly white) filmmaking and exhibiting change with the death of Jim Crow laws?
Were there films between that period and “Get Out” that managed to promote an anti-racist ideology? If no,
why not? If yes, how did they pave the way for “Get Out”?