Friday, September 24, 2010

PERIOD 7 - "JIM CROW"

You watched the documentary "Jim Crow" in class. Please answer the handout questions in your post.

15 comments:

Sam Plummer said...

What stood out most to me was the overwhelming amount of violence that took place during this period in time, and the vicious way that african americans were treated by white americans. Personally, I had trouble being able to identify with any one group in the film. I dont feel like I am able to identify with the african americans, nor the white people, because I dont feel that I have the same values and beliefs that they possess. I had the most difficulty identifying with the african americans, just because I have not been through what they went through as a race, and I have never experienced the time of opposition and struggle that they had to. The film brought up lots of dissapointment in the white people as a group, solely for their treatment of the african americans. It is not right to treat a group so poorly and cruelly just because you think that they are less than you are, and that they are inferior by race...

Sarah Hart said...

I was absent for the documentary.

Celina Morais said...

What stood out a lot to me was that the "Jim Crow" shows were used for white entertainment. Also that the Jim Crow character was portrayed by a white man.I couldnt truly relate to anyone in this film but the person that i understood the most in the film was Booker T. Washington because he wanted to better to the lives of the African Americans. He even was able to raise money to provide and education for African America. Those who I could not relate to were probably the KKK. Their violence and views are extrememly different from myself. This film was really a sympathetic view on african americans. It was horrible how much violence and hate they had to go through. I also agree with Sam when he said that it brought out a lot of disappointment in the white people as a group, because the way they treated the african americans.

Nick Judd said...

The thing that stood out most was the violence that took place during this period, and the force used by whites to hurt African Americans. I wasn't really able to relate to anyone in this documentary as racism hasn't really played a prominent role in my life. I had the most difficulty relating to the African Americans because I have not been through anything remotely close to what they had to endure during this time period. The film brought up feelings such as anger towards the white community for how they treated the African Americans and sadness for what the African Americans had to endure.

Pat Hession said...

I agree with Celina in which the Jim Crow shows as a source of entertainment for the white community was the biggest surprise for me. Also, it stood out to me that Jim Crow was actually a white person. When I heard the phrase "Jim Crow Laws," I always thought of only laws discriminating against African Americans and never actually thought of who Jim Crow actually was. I couldn't identify myself with any of the characters as I have never encountered an experience or problem such as this. However, I had the most difficulty identifying myself with the black community as they faced grueling and violent discrimination every day of their lives. The film brought up lots of feelings of deep emotion. I was ashamed of how the white community treated colored people and were relentess with their discrimination.

Sean Nolan said...

What stood out to me the most in this film was the amount of violence that occurred and the fact that the state and federal governments did little to prevent this violence and hatred towards blacks. I cannot relate myself to anyone in this film because I have had the privilege to never have to experience anything close to what the blacks had to endure. I had the most difficulty relating to the KKK due to their extreme racism and violence. The feelings that were brought up from this film were anger towards the KKK for what they did to the blacks and sympathy and respect towards the African Americans for what they had to undergo.

Corinne White said...

It is unfathomable to me how anyone could feel that they are better. I couldn't believe the amount of hatred and severe violence the whites used toward the african americans. Although I in no way identify with them, I felt the most for the african americans. The struggle and hardships they had to endure is amazing. I agree with Celina, that the group I least related to was the KKK. I didn't understand their mind-set or where they were coming from with their beliefs at all. And I also felt disappoinment through watching the film at the white people. It was strange to me to watch how terrible they treated the african americans, just because they thought they were inferior.

Christine Hillier said...

What stood out for me in "The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow" was how Jim Crow was representative for how white people believed African Americans lived. the shows Jim Crow preformed in were all comedy and singsongy, it was completely inappropriate. What single person would stop what the majority wants? In pictures, it is hard to identify the difference of skin in black and white photos. I had difficulty relating to all of the people in this film. I could not connect with the Whites who believed African Americans did not have equal rights. it was hard for me to connect with the African Americans who fought for their civil rights. After watching this film, I thought about the harsh treatment the African Americans dealt with and how hard they had to work in order to gain respect.

I agree with Sam and Nick about their comments of how the White people inflicted an incredible amount of violence against the African Americans.

Matt Hally said...

What stood out most to me was the severe violence towards African Americans from whites, and the lack of support from the government against this violence. I couldn’t really relate to anyone in the film because I haven’t had to go through any of the hardships presented for the African Americans, and I also haven’t put myself in a position similar to the whites at the time. I had the most difficulty relating to the prejudice whites, such as the KKK, as I don’t understand their motives for putting their efforts into making sure that African Americans do not find a place in society just because of their skin color. This film made me think very sympathetically towards the African Americans, as it seemed as though they were not presented with any opportunity. Even if they worked hard and set their mind to moving up in society, African Americans were always looked down upon for an aspect of themselves that they couldn’t control.

Mike Ceruolo said...

What stood out for me the most in this film was the fact that even though they were promised rights, African Americans were still denied their basic rights. I agree with Sam Plummer and a number of other classmates that I cannot really say I identify with any of the groups. I have never really been discriminated against especially not to this extent. I am also yet to understand the reasoning/motive behind the KKK and white feeling of superiority in general. In our society, I feel that we are much more accepting and therefore this problem doesn't affect us as much as it did in the past. This film made me feel bad about myself in a way. As much as I know that I am not in any way these people, I still felt like "my people" acted in such a horrible way. I feel almost responsible even though in no way was it my fault.

David Johnson said...

What stood out the most to me was that even the justice system showed signs of racism by saying blacks had to be sperated from whites as long as they were given seperate but equal schools, bathrooms, etc and in most cases the blacks lost despite the fact that their living conditions were not equal to those of the whites. The only person i fell like I could identify with was Frederick Douglas because he said that blacks shouldn't just be happy that they were given equal rights in Kansas when they were still treated unfairly by ex-confederate states. I agree with Sam with that the film brought up feelings of disappointment because of the barbaric actions of whites and their oppresion of blacks.

Robbie Tanner said...

What stood out for me the most in this film was the brutality of groups like the KKK following the civil war. It was incredible to see the atrocities they committed against african americans. It was difficult to identify with anyone in the film. I've never really been discriminated against like the african americans were, nor have i really been on the other end of the spectrum, like the whites. I had the most difficulty relating to the african americans, for the sole reason that i've never been so heavily discriminated against. The film brought a feeling of disappointment towards our government. Groups like the KKK were making it a miserable, and terrifying time to be african american, and the government wasn't doing much to stop it.

Annie Meaney said...

What stood out to me most in the film was the frightening killing of african americans where they burned crosses and wore masked faces, it reminded me of a horror movie! I had a difficult time identifying myself with with anyone in the film. I couldnt relate to the white people because i have a hard time understanding why anyone would go to that extent of discrimination, what was going on in their head that made it okay to take innocent lives. The film brought up feat and confusion to me, how could anyone be that selfish and inhuman?

Matt Oriol said...

The use of airing a show with a stereotypical character is a symbol that spits on another race. It shows that people have achieved in so many ways yet when faced with Race people are over the top radicalistic sometimes. It’s one giant step back for mankind to act in this manner. Jim Crow was aired for white entertainment and it shows the lack of civility that believed in morally crushing a race. That was the purpose of this show during the era yet the black community still rose above the challenge in which a White world presented to them.

ryan iasiello said...

I thought that the Jim crow show were honestly screwed up. White people found it humorous on what they do to blacks everyday. The jim crow time period was awful for black people had to go through. With the violence and bombings.