Although it’s commonly said that Canadians are usually respectful, racism does exist in people. Racism in Canada and the US is the same. Through literature and film, Desmond Cole’s essay The Skin We’re In and Jordan Peele’s film Get Out provide deep insights into the lived experiences of black men within these societies. Black men’s interactions with Canadian and American societies are depicted by Cole and Peele, who also expose the racism and discrimination inherent in each country’s histories. We can uncover the historical foundations of racism in the US and Canada by closely examining their works, and we can also learn important lessons that will help us better comprehend the struggles that black communities face today.
The article by Desmond Cole offers a deep look at the challenges Black men face on a daily basis in Canada, revealing the complexities of racist systems that are strongly embedded in social structures. Cole clearly describes situations of racial profiling and police brutality, drawing from his own experiences and those of fellow black individuals: “Over the course of the next few years I would be stopped or followed dozens of times by police in Kingston and Toronto, where I relocated shortly after dropping out of university” (Cole 16). His narrative exposes the harsh realities of living under constant surveillance and suspicion, as black bodies are policed and surveilled in public spaces: “The police are just doing their job: a central responsibility of policing has always been to discipline black people on behalf of the ruling class” (Cole 4). Moreover, Cole’s analysis delves into the larger political and social context, highlighting the historical legacies of colonialism and slavery that continue to shape modern race relations. Cole gives readers a better understanding of the fundamental injustices that support racial injustice in Canada by putting individual experiences within a larger historical context.
Similar to this, Jordan Peele’s “Get Out” delves into the black experience in America, using the horror genre to highlight how subtle racism can be. Themes of cultural appropriation, fetishization, and exploitation are deftly woven together in Peele’s story. Peele reveals the layers of racial manipulation and fraud that hide behind seemingly innocent interactions through the character of Chris, a black man visiting the family of his white girlfriend. The white guests at the tea party, for instance, were drawn to Chris, the main character, because of his skill and strong build in the film (Peele “ Tea Party Scene”). They view him as an object that they can use to fulfill their special needs, like having the ability to see or fight. Ironically, despite the fact that white people tend to ignore them, black people are wanted by them because of their abilities. Black people’s constant fears in mostly white environments are captured in this film, which deftly navigates the complexities of racial identity and belonging. Chris’s black friend, Rod, repeatedly forewarned him when he was among white people. For example, when he revealed to his friend that his girlfriend’s mother practiced hypnosis, the friend urged him to leave the house (Peele “Scene with Chris on call with Rod after waking up from a dream with the mom”). In general, Peele’s use of symbolism and visual storytelling enhances the story to consider how much they may have contributed to the upholding of racial hierarchies and stereotypes.
Furthermore, the historical and social backgrounds that support modern racial dynamics are carefully explored by Cole and Peele. Cole explores the foundations of systemic racism ingrained in Canada’s colonial past and its continuing legacy, going beyond isolated anecdotes. Cole provides perspective on the systemic injustices that sustain racial inequality by placing individual experiences within larger historical narratives. The film “Get Out” by Jordan Peele deftly examines the history of racial exploitation and oppression in America, fusing contemporary concerns with the past. In order to force viewers to face the difficult realities of America’s racial past, Peele uses symbolism and allegory to reveal the enduring power dynamics that define black-white relations. Cole and Peele emphasize the critical need for revolutionary social change by forcing audiences to confront the enduring ways that the past continues to shape contemporary reality through the historical consciousness that informs their works.
In conclusion, Jordan Peele and Desmond Cole’s writings provide insightful analyses of Black life in both Canada and the US. Both Jordan Peele’s film Get Out and Desmond Cole’s essay “The Skin We are In” offer deep insights into the real-life experiences of black men in these societies. Both Cole and Peele show how black men interact with Canadian and American societies, but they also expose the racism and discrimination that are deeply embedded in both countries’ historical narratives. We can better comprehend the historical legacies of racism and oppression in the US and Canada by actively engaging with their stories. It is essential that we keep raising the voices of those who are excluded and seek to eliminate the systemic injustices that still exist in our communities. Cole and Peele’s works serve as potent reminders of the ongoing struggle for racial justice and equality.
Bibliography:
Cole, Desmond. “‘negro frolicks (January).’” The Skin We’re In, Doubleday Canada, 2020, pp. 1–17
Peele, Jordan, et al. Get Out. Universal Pictures, 2017.
Fight Clubs/Night Clubs 
Your introduction sets up the topic well, but the thesis statement could be more specific about how Cole and Peele convey the experiences of Black men in North American society. The conclusion reiterates your points but could be strengthened by directly tying back to your thesis and emphasizing the implications of the works discussed.
You have shown a good understanding of Cole’s work by discussing the systemic racism and its historical roots in Canada. Your interpretation of “Get Out” captures the film’s exploration of subtle racism and exploitation. You have integrated quotes from Cole’s work effectively, demonstrating his experiences with racial profiling. More textual evidence from “Get Out” would strengthen your analysis of the film, especially when discussing key scenes. Ensure that all evidence is clearly connected to your arguments and contributes to your overall thesis.
The overall structure of your blog post is logical, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Work on creating smoother transitions between paragraphs to ensure a cohesive flow of ideas. Consider reorganizing content to align more closely with your thesis and provide a balanced discussion of both works.
Watch out for run-on sentences and aim for more varied sentence structures to enhance readability. Proofread for minor grammatical errors that can distract from the content of your analysis.
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