Days of Glory and Days of Indignity - Movie Review Example

?Nothing Much Has Changed: Days of Glory, Days of Indignity The concept of al racism is one which continues to prevail in today’s society and which leads those of different heritage into unequal opportunity. When watching the film, Days of Glory, there is a visual understanding of what institutional racism is and where it leads to the social, cultural and political order of the time. By developing a deeper understanding of institutional racism, there is the ability to have knowledge about the current state in society as well as the difficulties which many face because of barriers that are created at an institutional level. The deeper complications which occur with the barriers and institutional difficulties then lead to a lack of ethnicities and minority races having the capacity to move forward with having equal opportunity. The term institutional racism is one based on divisions between ethnicities that take place at an institutional level. Schools, military, political forces, business and other larger areas apply the racist policies and regulations. This not only is based on the institutional forces that create the conditions for those of a different ethnicity. It also applies to the individual beliefs of leaders and the way in which they associate with racism. If a political leader or individual is in charge of a specific institution, then they can make claims or change the associations with other ethnicities. A structure which believes in the mechanics of racism and allows individuals to carry this out according to their own terms are associated with the definition of institutional racism. The term and the context of institutional racism originated with various exchanges and interchanges among the various institutional forces. However, the term was not coined until the 1960s, when African American Civil Rights advocates began to show that the concept of racism was one which was deeply integrated into both individual and institutional actions (Feagin, 1986: 5). The institutional racism that is associated with “Days of Glory” creates a specific image of the institution which is created. The relationship to political and military institutions is the main component. The importance of this is not only with the policies and the institutional beliefs that do not work toward inclusion of those that are fighting with the French from Arab and African nations. This leads into how the institutional setting and the beliefs of the military begin to affect the belief systems of individuals not directly relating to this. The cooks, post office, political leaders and others that are directly or indirectly associated with the military begin to carry the same beliefs. Institutional racism, specifically from this film, then develops an image that all that is Arab and African should not be included in the institution. This spreads to individual belief systems and develops overall treatment from society and the culture that this is the correct way to treat others which are fighting in the military. The definition of institutional racism then is one which creates a belief system of exclusion by an entire culture or society. The definition of institutional racism is further defined through the film “Days of Glory,” specifically in educating many about the concepts of ethics in terms of equality and diversity from an organizational level. This is shown first by the approach taken by the military as the institution in recruiting Africans specifically to save the French. The Africans are not given credit and are placed in the institution to work as individuals that will give their life, as opposed to being able to fight. This is followed by unequal treatment that is accepted by the institution, including refusing to give Africans proper food and treatment and not acknowledging that they are fighting for the same country (Bouchareb, 2006: 1). The institutional racism then becomes identified by both the lack of care and recognition given at an institutional level as well as the acceptance and support of individuals to not treat the Africans equally to others which are fighting in the French Army. The dimensions of institutional racism that are shown in this movie are then able to create a deeper understanding of the way in which this form of racism worked and how it lead to several individuals carrying a similar attitude and set of beliefs toward different ethnicities and cultures. The approach which is taken with the movie is defined specifically by gaining a sense of social power for both sides. On one side, the military carries a sense of social power over the Arab and African nations, specifically by creating an alliance with the two nations to fight in World War II. However, the Arab and Africans that are fighting are also able to gain a sense of social power, specifically by becoming a part of the military of the rising West. The conflicts which are in each of the nations are then able to gain a sense of being a part of the alliance. To counteract this power, the military tries to disregard the Africans and Arabs to remain outside of conflicts or alliances that are connected to this. The racism not only works in terms of creating divisions, boundaries and a sense of exclusion. There is also the ability to develop social powers on both sides. As the individuals are disregarded, the social power for the Arabs and Africans also becomes unimportant or not recognized. The use of racism then becomes secondary to holding political powers over other nations while trying to find ways of balancing out the needs for the nation at the time. The movie not only works to display an understanding of institutional racism, but also equates to organizational life and how this is easily able to reflect the lack of equality. The approach taken shows that exclusion and setting different cultures apart from others creates the needed racism. This allows the racism to prevail because of the actions individuals taken in regards to the institution. One who is in a managerial role becomes responsible for reflecting the institutional racism or the sense of inclusion. For instance, a problem which occurs is from a manager who is supposed to deliver mail from the army. However, he decides not to deliver the mail from the African to a French woman, as this is not an acceptable relationship at the time (Bouchaerb, 2006: 1). This shows how the institutional policy forms the racist complexities. However, the manager could have changed the approach because of the circumstances which each was under. This would have built a sense of respect to those fighting on the same side while creating a sense of equality. The responsibility for managers and those managing relationships is based on recognizing the need to have inclusion and diversity while not disregarding those who are associated with the institution because of ethnicity. Managerial roles further with the power which is available by working with others that are in the organization. In the military and political powers of this film, it is the managers that create the divisions between each of the members first. For instance, when an Arab is speaking to his superior, he notes that he knows his mother was Arab. To keep the balance of power in line, there is a threat that if this is ever mentioned, he will be killed. The managerial role toward power then develops the sense of exclusion, specifically because this helps to develop and hold power. Diversity is one which is managed by creating divisions and noticing the level of exclusion or inclusion that is required in the organization. The ability to create specific roles and social standards and boundaries then provides different categories of inclusion that are a part of the organization. The concept of equality is one which is able to be seen more than what is available through other sources of media or print. The film shows how institutional racism stems and what it causes at a personal level. Those that are from Africa are related to, specifically because of the lack of inclusion and the beliefs which form around their presence in the military. This is furthered by understanding the complications that occur with institutional racism. Excluding individuals, creating false beliefs about others and developing a stigma towards specific ethnicities start from the institutional policies created. This leads in to individual belief systems and processes that come from the institution. The film shows how the lack of recognizing the diversity and needed equality within the institution creates conflict, not only against others outside of the organization, but also internally. The ontological implications of this film develop into a deeper understanding of why racism is such an important issue, even in the current time frame. While watching the film, there were reactions about the lack of justice and fairness toward the characters. There was a continuous desire for the Arabs and Africans to be treated with respect and fairly while noticing how the injustices were causing more difficulties for the internal military affairs that could have led to even more success if they did not exist. The ability to recognize how racism impacts every individual, the internal affairs of an institution and the outcome of personal and institutional expectations were some of the many noticed aspects from the movie. The lack of fairness throughout the film further this, specifically with the understanding of racism in the current day and how inclusion, diversity and equality are some of the most debated topics for those living in society. The association with institutional racism was not the only important aspect of the justice and fairness of the film. It can be seen that the intent of the Director, Rashid Bouchareb, was to show the depth of institutional racism and how the intensity of this has not changed. This is seen with the movement into present day when the graves of the Arabs and Africans are found. This shows the main purpose and aim, which is how the lack of justice and equality within the institution led to a lack of recognition of the men that is still disregarded today. It is only with the graves and with the telling of the story now that one can begin to recognize the suffering that occurred with the terms of institutional racism. Bouchareb is able to take this term and show what this means in terms of a lack of justice and conflicts. The approach is one that Bouchareb uses to question the present day and whether this has been recognized or changed with the policies toward equality that many are looking into. The main aims and objectives of Bouchareb are further noted by what audience members can evaluate in terms of the key issues in the film, specifically with ethnic minorities and the West. When looking at this film in relevance of today, one is able to note that there are coined terms that are based on inclusion, diversity and having a sense of equality at all levels. The concept of cosmopolitan democracy is the trend which is continuing to rise. When looking at this film, it is noted that this came from an offset by the institutional racism that used to exist at a variety of levels. However, the changes in policies do not necessarily mean that there are alterations with how many have changed in attitudes and beliefs. Bouchareb shows that it is the individuals that carry out the policies and expectations of the institution. Even though there are coined policies and terms, social powers and individual agendas may think differently of the concept of diversity. When looking at social groups, it is noted that there are divisions unless the policy needs to show that there is diversity. The question is whether the changes of institutional racism have occurred or if it is the same with only different policies that are set to cover the thoughts which many have toward other ethnicities and groups that are marginalized within the community. The problem which has arisen is one which can be coined as new and cultural racism, similar to the institutional racism in the film. When looking at contemporary British political and media discourses, it shows a direct relation to how the Arabs and Africans were treated in the film. In the film, the publicity stunts and applications disregarded that there were problems while including the Arabs and Africans into the mix. For instance, when sending the minorities to the front line to save the French, the media response is that it was a successful day, even though it was brutal murder to the minorities. This is similar to problems today in which the media and organizations state that they have diversity and inclusion. There are numbers that one has over the percentage of minorities that are in the organization as well as highlights of individuals that are a part of the team and that are building the organizations. At the same time, there are statements that create reactions such as Islamophobia, such as terrorist groups that are Islamic becoming a threat to the country. As this arises, the amount of institutional racism and social powers also begins to divide and create boundaries between both sides. Similar to the film, there is a question of how contemporary political and media has altered. While there is a statement of inclusion, the actions which take place behind the scenes may not have a difference in the amount of equality which is offered, similar to what happened in the past. The implications that are shown with the film leads to the issues of equality and diversity policies associated with fairness in the workspace and organizations. It is no longer enough to create policies or to have media beliefs that state that there is a sense of equality within an organization. The mechanics of inclusion of various cultural groups requires not marginalizing different individuals and beginning to change the way in which individuals work and interact with others. There is now a need to begin changing the problems with new racism and cultural groups at a deeper level. Implementing and acting on breaking down boundaries between social groups is one which is required by individuals underneath the institution. Combining this with new expectations for the media and political powers to act on the concepts of equality and diversity is one which will also assist in changing the levels of institutional racism. Moving beyond basic statements while continuing to create the same scenarios through the media will then begin to break boundaries and drive forward a deeper sense of justice with the boundaries that have been created. The concept of institutional racism is one which goes into complex issues pertaining to individual beliefs, social power and the expected actions of the organization. When looking at the problems of institutional racism, it is noted that there are various links and expectations to how one interacts and works with intolerance and discrimination. In Days of Glory, the viewer is able to see how political and media parties were able to create divisions through policies and expected actions. This was followed by deeply ingrained personal beliefs that developed a sense of separation. The importance of this movie was not only noted with the treatment and injustice which was a part of the film. More important, was the relevance to today’s organizations. The same complications with institutional racism are continuing with a contemporary approach to creating divisions. The policies and powers continue to make claims which then become acceptable to those that are in different areas of society. Understanding how institutional interactions change individual actions becomes the main complication in trying to change a true sense of inclusion and equality in society. References Bouchareb, Rachid (dir). 2006. “Days of Glory.” Feagin, JR. 1986. Discrimination American Style: Institutional Racism and Sexism. UK: Routledge. Read More