Sunday, December 18, 2016

Passing on the Baton of Stereotypes

The Redlining video shows how even a 100 years after gaining their freedom, African Americans were still segregated and unfairly treated. Even when African Americans were successful, they could never be happy with the societal conditions around them. They were given sub-par homes at higher prices. And when Blacks started moving in, Whites moved out which basically created these "ghettos". This scenario is very similar to the scene with Lindner. The so-called "Improvement Association" was trying to purify the neighborhood of blacks, trying to keep this white safe haven. Even after the Youngers had high hopes ready to move into this house, society tried to push them back down. Lindner's pedantic tone suggests that he too holds this stereotypical view of Blacks as being primitive. 

Now imagine if Lindner comes into the Youngers house and sees a white-looking family, like that in the White Privilege Supermarket video. His whole attitude would be different. Instead of forcing them to stay in their "own community", he would actually be doing his job as part of the Welcoming Association. The difference in attitude is a clear sign of Lindner and the neighborhood's racist ways, much like how the different protocols based on color in the video. The way that Beneatha responds "(drily) Yes- and what do they do?" just furthers Lindner's beliefs about how African Americans are rash and arrogant. This fact is what stops Dr. Joy DeGruy in the video from shouting at the cashier, as she is afraid of being stereotyped by the others in the store. 

African Americans have to act so carefully which is difficult because they are often just standing up for their given rights. Even with large efforts by society, this group continues to face injustice and stereotyping. 

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