America Beyond The Color Line - Essay Example

America beyond the Color Line America beyond the color line America beyond the color line is a film by Henry Louis Gates. In this film, Louis Gates describes various aspects of African American life. He mainly focuses on the relationship of the races in the south and Midwest, the view of African American social life, and the gap between the wealthy and the poor blacks. The film also tells about the cycle of love and how it can lead someone in ways that lead to poverty and desperation and can also lead to new life in one form or another. For instance, in the film Louis showed how some black Americans managed to prosper in life and became rich despite the harsh treatment they went through due to racism. The main idea is that falling in love can stand some attentions such as public housing, education, race, politics and social welfare. He also shows that racism is over as whites and blacks can work together as brothers and sisters and even intermarry. Through the numerous interviews, Louis Gates examined the future, past and present relationship of the black and white race.
The American beyond Color Line illustrates how the African Americans struggled in order to fit in the community and how life had been changing from the past to the present and how life might be in the future by regarding the relationship between the whites and the blacks. Louis travelled to the major cities in U.S. in order to look at the role of black communities in several key sectors of the American society. In his interviews, Gates has folksy styles and friendly association with the interviewees. However, he also had various weaknesses. For instance, he was remarkably willing to release tough subjects after the brief exploration. He repeatedly presented his interview subject with a challenge, “let me play the devils advocate for a moment.” He then asks questions that might annoy the respondents.
The film presents a situation of struggle among the races. It makes the audience feel the importance of social justice. From the interviews, the blacks illustrate their struggle and hopes of socializing as brothers and sisters. This can be seen from the dream of Martin Luther King. As Louis interviewed other interviewees, they explained that the Blacks and Whites were working together. Louis stated that the U.S. Army consisted of 26% blacks compared to the past where the Blacks were restricted from socializing with the Whites.
Louis’ document mainly promotes diversity among the races. It illustrates how there was extreme racism in America but the situation changes with time. As he made his interviews, the respondents explained the changes that had occurred as the Whites and Blacks could now work together as brothers and sisters. This indicates that the rate of prejudice and stereotype among the races was reducing and diversity is encouraged. For instance, Louis exclaimed that the U.S. Army hard a good percentage of black soldiers and the army was happy to work collectively as a unit.
The document illustrates various things concerning the African Americans and their relationship with the Whites. However, there are other areas that are still in question like; is the color line still existent in America? How have the cities in the country changed since the civil rights era? Is the increasing improvement of the Black Americans affecting the Natives? Is it true that the dream of Martin Luther King is coming true? There are very many important things that can be learned from the film. The most important thing is that racism divides people and discourages growth and development of individuals.
This film is very important in understanding African American History because it mainly explains the historical struggle of the Black Americans. It explains most instances that occurred in the past and how racism affected the lives of the African American people. It also explains how they change their lives and how their success might increase in the future by working together in a diverse community.    Read More