11/3/17

Today in class we finished the movie Get Out. As always, we were told to chose an example of microagression shown in the film and how it builds an audience's empathy toward Chris as a character. The first microagression I wrote was when the officer asks for Chris's license when he wasn’t driving the car. This build empathy with his character because he didn't do anything wrong and he acted like he was used to it by almost complying with the officers requests before his girlfriend stops him. For the second day, there's a scene where an older woman feels Chris up and then asks, “Is it true? Is it better?”. This is a microagression because not only is that a personal question, but also a stereotype. It creates empathy with his character because not only does it make him uncomfortable, but also the audience. For the third day, a more indirect microagression that Chris experiences in the film is when his friend goes to the police station to report his friend missing. The police officers all laugh at the fact this his friend is nervous about Chris being at his white girlfriends house, which builds empathy with Chris by creating a feeling of helplessness.
Now all that's left to write is how what we are doing in class can be applied to the world. Racial discrimination and hate crimes are still going on in this country, and being able to recognize microagressions can help spot when things aren't necessarily treated equal. Get Out is meant to make sure that no matter who was watching, they would notices the small things and feel the same fears as the main character. It's meant to help those who thought they were doing what's right think more about what they say and open their eyes to a more diverse way of thinking. It's so everyone knows that there is a threat of racial violence just around the corner and he wants to get the entire audience in touch with the fears inherent of being black in this country as a starting point.