Bruce Lee was legendary. He became an icon in the American Film industry, as well as in Hong Kong. Historically, “blackface” was something white America did to exclude people of color. Less known was that “yellow face” also existed. Representation was given to whites who had poor portayals. Being the only famous Chinese American to thrive during his time, it was easy for the Chinese in America (and internationally)to name him a hero. Although his life was met wth glory and fame, there is little that is said about the racial prejudices he had to encounter. His is a story of an underdog that rose to the top.

One of my favorite underdog stories is The Karate Kid. It’s a classic movie about a boy named Daniel that gets bullied but is taken under the wing of Mr. Miyagi. Mr. Miyagi teaches Daniel karate using unorthodox methods. In the end, Daniel wins the big karate tournament and defeats his rival despite being injured.

This is my favorite part of the movie. It really shows how he struggled through the tournament. The song is awesome too.

“”I need you,” I told him. “I need you much more than you could ever need me. I need to know what to do with my life. I want to run away, but go where and do what? I’m needed here and I know it, but I fell that all i’m doing here is choking myself. I need someone to tell me what to do. I need you to tell me, to show me. I’m not here, I can just give something small. That’s all I have to offer. It is the only way that we can chip away at that much. You— you can be bigger than anyone you have ever met.” (193)

This passage is one of the most important points of the book. Up until now Grant has been trying to teach Jefferson how to “be a man” so he can walk to his death with his head held high. However, he has not been able to get through to Jefferson. Jefferson still acts like he is the hog that the white folk called him. In this passage we see a shifting of roles and responsibility. This is the point where Jefferson finally starts to understand the implication of what becoming a man in these circumstances would be. Grant needs him, his godmother needs him, and his community needs him. His defiance in the face of the white folk could break the endless cycle of abusive their people have faced for generations. Grant understands this, and he also see’s that despite all his efforts to become educated and respectable he is only making small strides for his people. Mr. Pichot, the men at the prison, and a few other white folk in the novel call Grant professor, but it is evident in the language that they don’t actually convey any respect for him. He is aware of this and it’s what makes Jefferson’s transformation all the more necessary. If he can face his death like a man, and defy the white folks exceptions it will be a much more tangible blow than what Grant has been able to accomplish. This is the passage that Grant conveys his feelings about this too Jefferson. We are left uncertain as to whether or not Jefferson has understood what Grant means “I cry, not from reaching any conclusion by reasoning, but because lowly as I am, I am still part of the whole. Is that what he was thinking as he looked at me crying?”. (Side note, we of course do find out by the end of the novel Jefferson understood and committed himself to that self sacrificing role, I say self sacrificing because although he was going to die either way he had a chose in what manner he went out, it would of been easy to die as a hog, it was hard to die like a man and defy the white man’s expectations.)

“Since emancipation, almost a hundred years ago , they would do any kind of work they could find to keep from working side by side in the field with the niggers…Even took that kind of work from the white boys, because they would do wit so much cheaper than the white boys would,Anything not to work alongside the niggers”(198)

Sometimes within your own race you are faced with racism , you wouldn’t expect that form of monstrosity to someone of your same background. Simply because one is a few shades lighter doesn’t define you to be greater than anybody. Grant repeat that the multattos in his town were willing to do anything to keep from working with “niggers” , their brothers , black men , same background , and in the eyes of the white man a nigger. The mulattos are willing to go as far to charge less for their labor , whites discredits them and their work , just to not work with “niggers”. One is willing to go as far , as limit the amount of pay they should receive for ones labor all to avoid someone like themselves but a few shades lighter. Racism within its own race is a barbaric , sickening and Gaines takes us to this place , so it is known what is going on within the community.

Building off Mindy’s idea of the Chinese food container, I think we should different kinds of foods inside the containers and ask people which one is the authentic dish.  For the Chinese meal, we can get some low-end (maybe even frozen food) dish and the other containers something better. The purpose is to show how authenticity is something that relies heavily on another’s definition and perception.

This movie may not be completed like The Bluest Eye but it reminds me of the topics we spoke about.  Such as black families, welfare, and society.  I just wanted to share it as a post.  Not sure if anyone has ever seen it, it’s a very old movie I’ve seen.

This article appeared on March 12 on the New York Times.

Enjoy!

Cinderella is one of the most well known fairy tales across the world. This modern version of the story portrays a girl who is actually very beautiful to be non-existent to “the popular world.” However when she pulls over a mask and a beautiful dress, she is suddenly the most talked about at the ball and after. There really isn’t that much of a difference in her appearance besides her clothes. Disney also portrays this in their original fairy tales.