The Secret Life of Bees Analysis - Essay Example

Task Reflective Analysis paper The movie "The Secret Life of Bees" has racial discrimination as the theme in play: Examining the book "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” Maya Angelou explores the theme of racism as being immense in the autobiographical tale. Since time in memorial, racism has been in existence. It became a thorn the flesh when slaves started being shipped to America from Africa. It became so pronounced after the civil war on freeing of the blacks from slavery. Segregation of the blacks and whites meant that every race had to be smart and use different avenues to grow stronger. The book describes Maya as being a victim of racism and ignorance. In the book, the main character Maya Angelou and her family are African-Americans. The book originates in the 1930’s to 1940’s having examples of racist discrimination all through. Not only are the white people racists, but also reject, divide and are bad hearted to the African Americans. As the adage goes, when the going gets tough the tough keeps on going, the African Americans excelled through being smart and avoiding the racists. The black community as stated in the book is regular church attendees. Momma, Maya’s grandmother is the most religious person in the book. Most black people usually like church activities because they believe God is never biased. Maya’s white folks are not as kind as she expected as the whites had their heads high terming themselves superior because of a lighter skin. The whites expected to be treated with hospitality from other races but they would not return the favor. Black would walk out of the white’s way and address them with respect. In the case where Momma took Maya to the dentist he refused to treat her claiming that he would rather stick his finger in a dog’s mouth than hers.(Angelou 189) the doctor at this point was completely unfair and was a racist. Like everyone else, Maya is human and poses to have equal rights as everyone else. According to the Almighty, everyone is equal in his eyes and neither the whites nor the blacks are superior beings. The black community like Maya had to live on the remote side of the town while the whites lived on the opposite side never to associate with them. “The peculiar pale beings who lived in their alien unlife were never attributed as folks, but were white folks” (Angelou 26). In those times, racism was very open and the whites never bothered about the blacks feelings. In the early 21st century, racism was just like in old times but now evolved in different ways. In recent times, racism is experienced in employment. The government ended discrimination of persons in looking for jobs as an affirmative action. To some way, there was justice but that did not help to curb the whole issue. A supervisor at Best Buy was discriminated by being stuck at the same management level for more than seven years even though he had all the qualifications for promotion. People go through so much but they only persevere for the aim of gaining promotion or favored. This is very unfair to those who have to stoop so low so that they can be given the desired favors. Racism can be life threatening at the extreme level but its ones dignity that is crushed and lowered. Maya went through true racism and it is of uttermost good that racism has receded in recent times hence people do not suffer that much. Racism is practiced from generation to generation. What your father believes, is most likely what you are going to believe. Maya says, "Heroes and bogey men, values and dislikes, are first encountered and labeled in that early environment. In later years they change faces, places and maybe races, tactics, intensities, and goals, but beneath those penetrable masks they wear forever the stocking- capped faces of childhood" (Angelou 20). For the world to change from racism, we need to start with our parents and then with us. Than little by little, racism could decrease. Practice of racism dates from generation to generation and what a parent believes might be what the child might be taught to believe. Maya narrates, “"Heroes and bogey men, values and dislikes, are first encountered and labeled in that early environment. In later years they change faces, places and maybe races, tactics, intensities, and goals, but beneath those penetrable masks they wear forever the stocking- capped faces of childhood" (Angelou 20). For there to be a racism change in the world, it has to start with our folks then to the younger generation. With individual change, racism will further decrease. Racism represents the weathering of human values and norms. During the early times, there were mistakes or rather sins in the bible but not racism. It is never quoted in the religious books that the light skinned are superior to the dark skinned. Maya Angelou being very religious was raised to be a good Christian by Momma. This can be linked to her religious practices outlined in the book. She believes that even after oppression of the blacks, they will receive blessings and be rewarded in heaven for having suffered. “ the blacks were assured of being the only people in the land of milk and honey, except a minority of white men like John Brown who are said to be crazy by history books” (Angelou 120). The blacks as quoted by Maya will receive and inherit God’s Kingdom. She was given a cold treatment all her life just because of her color. She was raised to believe in loving her neighbors and when her neighbor treats her in a bad way she would not expect to see him in heaven. Salvation by words is easier to explain and comprehend than believing or having faith in Christ. Maya thought that action and deeds against discrimination would be largely rewarded and will earn a person salvation. The cross is not mentioned so much in the issue of salvation. Growing up in a large city of diverse ethnic backgrounds enables one who is not white to experience firsthand racism. A person denied visa to a European country because of racial disaggregation would feel so much hurt about the situation. The Germans up to date do not allow even prominent African American musicians to have a concert in their country. They might be lenient to some extent but racism in that country is by far an alarming issue as compared to other European countries. In the United States, racism is mainly seen in employment as most African Americans have small jobs and even live in the remote side of the country. Every person should treat the next person with respect and honor regardless of skin color, gender and economic disparities. Works Cited Angelou, Maya. Teacher’s Guide: ‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings’. Montreal: Random House, 2002. Angelou, Maya. Teacher’s Notes: ‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings’. Dec 9, 2011. Web Aug 7, 2008. Available at: < http://www.penguinreaders.com/pdf/downloads/pr/teachers-notes/9781405882651.pdf> Kidd, Sue. Teacher’s Resource Guide: ‘The Secret Life of Bees’. New York, The American Place Theatre, 1963. Tubbs, Gregg. Movie Review: ‘The Secret Life of Bees’. Dec 9, 2011. Web Nov 25, 2008. Available at: Read More