Blog 3; What difference does colour make

In today’s society we will often say that people’s mentality’s have changed, and the old way of thinking is no longer current but that is not true for many reasons and certain people were brave enough to speak up or in some cases artistically display their beliefs. In Desmond Cole’s book “The Skin We’re In” and Jordan Peele’s movie “Get Out,” we get a close look at the challenges Black men face in Canada and the United States. These works show us the deep-rooted racism Black men deal with daily, making us face the hard truths about racism in both countries. Although the movie could be an exaggerated reality, this blog post will discuss how Cole and Peele highlight the experiences of Black men with society in Canada and the US and what we can learn about the ongoing issues of racism from their stories.

Desmond Cole’s book, “The Skin We’re In,” talks about the tough experiences Black men face in Toronto. He mixes his own stories with the history of racism in Canada to show that these problems have deep roots. Cole points out that the unfair treatment of Indigenous people in the past has led to racism that still affects Black men today. He shares personal stories about being unfairly stopped and questioned by police, showing how Black men in Toronto often feel watched and judged. Cole also talks about how racial profiling affects people’s mental health and trust in the community. He discusses how issues like money, education, and social attitudes add to the challenges Black men face. Throughout the book, Cole challenges common ideas about Black men and how they should act. He says these stereotypes can lead to more racism and unfair treatment. By breaking down these stereotypes, Cole wants people to understand and empathize more with the experiences of Black men in Canada. In “The Skin We’re In,” Cole wants to show the real problems of racism in Canada today. He uses his stories and arguments to push readers to see and tackle the racism that’s still a big issue in Canadian society. The book reminds us that fighting racism is an ongoing effort that needs everyone’s attention and commitment to make real change.

Jordan Peele’s movie “Get Out” is an impactful look at what life is like for Black men in the United States. The film mixes suspenseful storytelling, clear messages about society, and even some twists to keep people watching interested while making them think. One important thing about the movie is how it turns around common stereotypes about Black men. Instead of showing them in the usual, limited ways we often see in movies, Peele makes characters that feel real and multi-dimensional. Chris, the main character, is shown as someone who thinks deeply about things, and his story helps us understand more about the challenges Black people face in America. The movie also works as a scary story that tells us something deeper about race. It shows how people of color can feel when they’re around mostly white people, feeling like they’re being watched or judged all the time. Through Chris’s experiences, Peele points out both the small, subtle ways people might be racist without realizing it, like making offhand comments, and the bigger, more obvious ways racism shows up. “Get Out” also makes us think about how racism works today in America. It shows that racism isn’t just about people being openly mean or hateful. Sometimes, it’s about the smaller, everyday things that can still make people feel unwelcome or less valued. Peele shows us that racism can be deeply rooted in the way society works, affecting everything from how people are treated in public to how they feel about themselves. In the end, “Get Out” is a movie that makes you think hard about race and identity in America. By breaking down stereotypes, telling a scary story that’s also a message about society, and showing how racism can be part of everyday life, Jordan Peele’s film pushes us to think more about these important issues. It reminds us that fighting against racism is something everyone needs to be aware of and work on to make real change. 

Desmond Cole’s book “The Skin We’re In” and Jordan Peele’s movie “Get Out” both give us a close look at the challenges Black men face in Canada and the United States. Even though these two countries have different histories and cultures, Cole and Peele show that Black men in both places deal with many of the same problems because of systemic racism. These works make us think hard about the uncomfortable truths of racism in both Canada and the US. They point out that the racism we see today has its roots in past events like colonialism and slavery. Cole and Peele help us understand that these old problems still affect Black men and other people of colour today, shaping their lives and opportunities in unfair ways. Also, Cole and Peele stress how important it is to listen to and understand the experiences of Black men when we talk about racism and social justice. By sharing their own stories and perspectives, they create space for important conversations about race. They show us that tackling racism is not just about individual acts of kindness or tolerance, it’s about working together to change the bigger systems and structures that keep inequality and unfairness in place.

In conclusion, “The Skin We’re In” and “Get Out” are both powerful and thought-provoking works that help us understand the ongoing challenges Black men face in Canada and the US. Through their writings and storytelling, Cole and Peele show us the deep-rooted racism Black men experience every day and challenge us to face the hard truths about our countries’ histories. These works remind us that fighting racism is an ongoing effort and that we all need to work together to create a fairer society where everyone, regardless of their race or background, is treated with respect, dignity, and fairness.

One thought on “Blog 3; What difference does colour make

  1. Your introduction sets the stage for a discussion on the experiences of Black men in Canada and the US as depicted by Cole and Peele, but your thesis statement could be more precise. Consider articulating a clear argument that you will support throughout the post. Ensure that each paragraph directly supports your thesis by providing specific examples from both the book and the film. This will help in developing a cohesive argument.

    You mention several key points from both “The Skin We’re In” and “Get Out,” but direct quotes or more detailed descriptions of these examples would strengthen your argument. When discussing Cole’s experiences with racial profiling or the events in “Get Out,” tie these back to your thesis with direct evidence to illustrate your points more clearly.

    Your analysis of how both works convey the relationship Black men have to society is a good start, but delve deeper into how specific events from the book and film illustrate this relationship.  Compare and contrast the experiences of Desmond Cole and Chris Washington in more detail to highlight the similarities and differences in their encounters with racism.

     You touch on the history of racism in Canada and the US, but further exploration of how Cole and Peele convey this history through their work would enrich your discussion. Discuss the implications of this history for Canada today by connecting it to current events or ongoing societal issues, as suggested by the rubric, and portrayed in both sources.

    You mention that Peele’s characters are multi-dimensional, which is a good observation. Expand on this by discussing specific stereotypes about Black men that both Cole and Peele challenge in their work.

    Remember to cite your sources according to MLA format. This includes in-text citations whenever you reference specific parts of Cole’s book or Peele’s film.  Include a Works Cited list at the end of your blog post with the proper MLA formatting.

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