In this essay, the focus will be on how racism is depicted in the film Malcolm X, which takes place during the 1960s and recounts the genuine story of Malcolm X's life. Racism entails unfair treatment and animosity towards individuals of other races, while representation involves utilizing symbols or descriptions to define a person or object. The movie portrays Malcolm X's evolution from a criminal to a political figure through his trials and tribulations. The film features several examples of racism as one of its main themes, along with love.
Malcolm X, the notable biopic directed by Spike Lee, delves into themes of racial discrimination and envy between Black and White individuals. The film stresses the vital significance of treating Blacks with respect and dignity instead of belittling or looking down on them. This essay examines
...how Malcolm X portrays racism as animosity and unjust treatment towards people from different races using symbols or images to depict a person or object in a particular way. The movie distinguishes Blacks and Whites as separate entities, exemplified by a nightclub exclusively frequented by Black individuals, emphasizing the film's focus on segregation.
The presence of black men with white women often leads to conflict, as some black men see it as an opportunity to exploit their partner's whiteness. Red is an example of this behavior, demanding that a white woman kiss his foot and feed him for his own purposes. White women are stereotyped as promiscuous and easy, reflected in their behavior and attitude. Red has two girlfriends - one white and one black - whom he uses for different reasons. Black women tend to prefer other black partners ove
whites.
Religion played a significant role in Malcolm X's life, guiding him towards success after leading a delinquent lifestyle marked by drug use when he was known as "Detroit Red." He evolved into a respected individual who was committed to his faith and family-oriented. Unlike the typical stereotypes associated with Black people such as drug dealers or gangsters focused on money; Malcolm X is depicted differently: serious-minded person with strong religious beliefs who prioritizes family over anything else exhibiting confidence and pleasantness in his demeanor.
According to the white police officer stationed at the hospital, Malcolm X's influence cannot be contained by a single individual due to discomfort felt by some white people regarding his potential control over the black community which they view as opposition.
Red and his African-American friend were both convicted and sentenced to prison. Red received a one-year sentence for burglaries and an additional seven-year sentence for being involved with white women during the crimes, highlighting the unequal treatment of black individuals who often receive longer sentences due to their skin color and behavior towards whites. Despite this injustice, Malcolm X found incarceration beneficial as it allowed him to gain knowledge about Elijah Muhammad and learn self-respect. Malcom X's mother was unable to care for her children after their home was burned down by the Klan leading them to be adopted. His father, a minister, preached
that white America would never accept black people, highlighting how white supremacy influenced the thoughts of black individuals. Although Malcolm X taught independence and self-sufficiency for black individuals, he believed that white people were the devil - proving racism is not limited only to whites but also some blacks. The difference lies in power; current power structure still favors whites over blacks.
The white police treated black individuals disrespectfully through physical assault, verbal insults, and racist remarks which frequently led Malcolm X and his followers calling them "white devil" in expressing their hostility towards them.
The film Malcolm X portrays the protagonist consulting a dictionary and discovering that 'white' is defined as the opposite of 'black.' This highlights the lack of commonality between these races, implying superiority of one over the other. Racism is explored in various ways throughout the movie, which appeals to a diverse audience including Muslims. The story progresses through glimpses into different characters' lives but ultimately focuses on Malcolm X's experiences with racism. While some white viewers anticipate being attacked by Malcolm X, others can relate to similar experiences depicted in the film, while black viewers are unsurprised by his encounters. Spike Lee presents a rich backdrop of settings and supporting characters, using warm colors to depict enjoyment and dull lighting for scenes set in prison to connote suffering and seriousness. This contrast emphasizes how blacks are depicted during good times versus bad and highlights their impact on this community.
Malcolm X's status as a hero among black people is evident from the considerable support and respect he commands. His name, with the letter 'X' denoting the unknown, is the title of the film.
Throughout the movie, Malcolm X's character develops and matures. Additionally, he highlights in the film that white people aren't trustworthy. For instance, when a white woman at the university offers to help him, he coldly replies 'nothing,' implying a lack of faith in whites who are often two-faced. The film portrays racism by presenting a world where people of other colors are not given any opportunities to prove themselves. Spike Lee has used empathy to explore how racism is represented in the film, without applauding blacks or condemning whites. The meaning behind the burning of the American flag is spelled out at the film's end. Malcolm X is a straightforward person who gets straight to the point, as evidenced when he declares during a speech, "Every time he see's your face, he see's the mirror of his crime."
The application of Levi Strauss' narrative theory in the film Malcolm X is evident as it features binary oppositions between blacks and whites. Consequently, this helps viewers identify the film's genre, style, movement, and storyline and enables a deeper exploration of how racism is portrayed in Malcolm X.
The film Malcolm X is a naturalistic and postmodernism work that represents the world as it is while using appropriation, playfulness, complexity, and intertextuality. Spike Lee's editing technique involves cutting off Nelson Mandela's voice and image and immediately replacing it with the image of the real Malcolm X who delivers the concluding statement "by any means necessary", displaying rejection as a theme in some people's lives. The film explores racism by portraying the opposition between black and white and their opinions of one another. By focusing on Malcolm X's life
story, the film draws its audience into understanding his experiences of torture, bullying, and discrimination due to racism. Racism is highlighted in different ways throughout the film through scenes that are analyzed using G.R.A.I.N.E to provide a closer perspective of textual analysis of Malcolm X's representation of racism.
