-
Essay / A Theme of Racism in Remember The Titans
Many films that focus on the theme of racism often show how racist characters are capable of change. From start to finish, the racist characters grow and change their mindset to be more accepting of different races. They begin to see people as they really are and begin to develop a new perspective for people. This is shown in a number of films, including Remember the Titans, Gran Torino, and American History X. The characters in these films are examples of how people can come to ignore racial prejudice once they learn that race does not define who someone is. to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Remember the Titans is a great example of how people can change their mindset towards racism. Remember the Titans shows how different races can learn to accept each other. When two football teams of different races are forced to integrate and become one team, racial prejudice divides them. Racial tensions begin when the "all-white" team learns they will have a new black coach. The team's new coach, Coach Boone, had been quickly promoted and replaced the team's previous white coach. The captain of the previous white team, Gerry, was initially strongly opposed to the idea of being included in the "black" team. As the team spends more time together, the team becomes less racially divided and they gradually become more accepting of each other. Coach Boone takes note of the racial divide and puts the team through intense training and takes them running to the Gettysburg Cemetery where he gives a motivational speech. Gerry was stuck in his racist mindset until he heard the speech and got to know his teammates better. From that point on, Gerry and the team's perspective towards each other changed and all racial prejudice slowly disappeared. In the end, Gerry and the captain of the "black" team, Jullius, end up becoming very good friends. Remember the Titans shows how people are able to change their racist mindset and perspective of different races. Gran Torino's main antagonist, Walt, is a clear example of how racist characters can change. As a veteran of the Korean War, Walt has racial prejudice towards people of Asian descent. At the beginning of the film, Walt is very cold towards his neighbors who happen to be Korean. After an incident in which Walt helps them, his neighbors gain respect for him but he doesn't like him well. Even though the family is very kind to Walt, he only sees them for their race and ignores the fact that they are very nice people. As things begin to progress, Walt slowly gets to know the family and begins to show them more respect. After an incident involving Walt's Gran Torino, Thao, the boy from the neighboring family, is ordered to help Walt with household chores. At first, Walt didn't like the idea very much, but he allowed it anyway. As the days pass, Walt is able to see Thao for who he really is and they begin to build a strong friendship. Walt begins to ignore any racial prejudice and begins to become closer to the family. By the end of the film, Walt becomes very close to the family and doesn't just see them for their race. Walt is a clear example proving that racist characters often change their attitudes and views towards different races. American History X also shows how the characters are able to.