Research Paper “BLACK AS UR” Documentary

1 How Well Did “BLACK AS UR” Documentary “Reflect” or Represent the Diverse Peoples/Cultures it Features Mount Royal University COMM 4501-003: Media and Inclusion Brad Clark October 30th, 2023 2 How Well Did “BLACK AS UR” Documentary “Reflect” or Represent the Diverse Peoples/Cultures it Features The intersectionality of race, identity, and sexual orientation has become a significant topic of discussion concerning social justice and equality in today's dynamic and diverse world. As a powerful representation of society, the media frequently molds and reinforces perceptions about excluded communities. This research paper will explore Micheal Rice's critically acclaimed documentary "BLACK AS U R," which profoundly explores these interconnected topics. The movie explores the complex relationships between race and sexual orientation in Black communities, highlighting how racism and homophobia are intertwined. This study attempts to critically examine the framing and representation of oppressed groups via the prism of this powerful cinematic work. The documentary emphasizes the struggles faced by those who are doubly marginalized as Black and LGBTQ+ by revisiting the narratives of gay civil rights pioneers like James Baldwin and Bayard Rustin, speaking with professors, preachers, and Black trans youth, and confronting prejudices in a Black barbershop. By delving into the theories of systemic racism and cultural hegemony, orientalism and intersectionality, encoding and decoding, and intercultural sensitivity, this research paper aims to decipher the complex levels of meaning present in "BLACK AS U R." In light of the turbulent social and political climate, which includes continuing pandemic efforts, protests, and political events, the film's examination of the challenges encountered by Black LGBTQ+ people is all the more vital. This research paper aims to shed light on the larger conversation about media portrayal, intercultural awareness, and the context of marginalized communities. Overview Systemic Racism and Cultural Hegemony 3 "BLACK AS U R" is positioned to disentangle the profoundly ingrained biases and discriminatory practices faced by Black people, particularly those who identify as LGBTQ+, from the complex web of institutional racism. Gramsci's perspective of cultural hegemony will be crucial in analyzing how dominant cultural norms shape views and frequently continue to marginalize minority groups (Ciavolella, 2020). It is expected that "BLACK AS U R" will be a powerful critique of these hegemonic systems, giving audiences a candid glimpse at society's prejudices and upending their preconceived notions. The movie's investigation of systematic racism and cultural hegemony also goes beyond simple exposing because it explores the underlying causes of these problems and throws light on the historical background that has led these prejudices to endure. "BLACK AS U R" is positioned to raise awareness and build a greater understanding of the systemic issues experienced by Black LGBTQ+ folks by placing the experiences within a framework of institutional oppression. The film catalyzes thought-provoking discussions by unapologetically presenting these issues and provoking viewers to consider their contributions to deconstructing these deeply embedded social standards (BLACK as U R, n.d.). Orientalism and Intersectionality The idea of orientalism provides a rich framework for investigating how "BLACK AS U R" could highlight the exoticization and "othering" that Black LGBTQ+ people experience, perpetuating negative stereotypes (Bennett, 2015). Additionally, the movie is anticipated to explore the intricate relationship between race and sexual identity using the intersectionality lens. Using an intersectional lens, the movie can deconstruct the complex challenges people face navigating sexual and racial discrimination, offering a nuanced and genuine representation of the Black LGBTQ+ community. Furthermore, "BLACK AS U R" is prepared to address the exoticization and "othering" that have traditionally oppressed Black LGBTQ+ people by taking on orientalist themes. The video is expected to provide a 4 comprehensive perspective of the difficulties experienced by this community by fusing the strands of race and sexual identity via the lens of intersectionality. In addition to strengthening the portrayal's realism, the intersectional approach raises the voices of people who are frequently marginalized and opens the door for a more accepting and kind society. Through this investigation, the movie is a tribute to the narrative's ability to shatter prejudices and promote a greater understanding of the wide range of human experiences. Encoding and decoding "BLACK AS U R" is an engaging case study regarding encoding and decoding. The film's influence becomes complex when viewers from different cultural backgrounds decode these embedded meanings, mirroring the diversity of viewpoints among spectators (Rice, 2020). The director Michael's deliberate framing decisions also provide an insight into the intentional design of the film's discourse. Michael's intentionality is revealed through these framing strategies, which also enhance the authenticity of the difficulties depicted and demonstrate the potency of visual storytelling in capturing the complexity of the experiences of oppressed people (BLACK as U R, n.d.). Examining "BLACK AS U R"'s encoding and framing via this perspective promises to reveal the movie's many levels of meaning, deepening our comprehension of its insightful social criticism and its capacity to spark social change. Intercultural Sensitivity The analysis's primary tenet is intercultural sensitivity, which emphasizes understanding other cultures with empathy (Khukhlaev et al., 2020). This research aims to assess "BLACK AS U R"'s transformative potential by analyzing how it promotes intercultural sensitivity. By telling a story and showing a range of experiences, the movie can close knowledge gaps and encourage viewers' tolerance and acceptance. This idea acts as the basis, emphasizing the movie's ability to spark important conversations, confront prejudices, 5 and advance an inclusive society. In addition, intercultural sensitivity as a guiding concept emphasizes the movie's ability to cross cultural barriers and appeal to a wide audience. Exploring the complex strands of many life situations, "BLACK AS U R" might encourage viewers to face their prejudices and biases by igniting empathy and encouraging selfreflection. This transforming force highlights the film's significance as a catalyst for social change and promotes inclusivity and acceptance, calling for a more understanding and connected society. "BLACK AS U R" is a prime example of how powerful the media can be in influencing public opinion and cultivating a shared awareness that values the variety of the human race. Findings It became clear that "BLACK AS U R" significantly affected dismantling deeply rooted stereotypes within Black LGBTQ+ groups when analyzed through the lenses of systemic racism and cultural hegemony. The story methodically revealed discriminatory practices, offering an accurate perspective of the difficulties experienced by people who identify as both gay or straight. The film questioned the fundamental underpinnings of cultural hegemony and exposed the systemic racism deeply ingrained in society by taking on established cultural norms. The film disrupted existing standards and provoked critical selfreflection by forcing viewers to confront painful truths through compelling dialogue and powerful characterizations (BLACK as U R, n.d.). Representing underrepresented voices demonstrated the film's capacity to subvert hegemonic institutions and encourage viewers to reconsider their prejudices. Expanding on Orientalism, "BLACK AS U R" skillfully demolished the 'othering' and exoticization Black LGBTQ+ people experience. The movie intentionally challenged mediaperpetuated preconceptions and misconceptions, going beyond simple depiction. The film explored the intricate relationship between racial and sexual identity, offering a complicated 6 viewpoint through intersectionality. Through a genuine depiction of the characters' intersectional challenges, the movie provided a sophisticated counter-narrative to orientalist clichés. It gave voice to those frequently marginalized in mainstream media, presenting various experiences within the Black LGBTQ+ community and emphasizing the depth of their narratives. After applying encoding and decoding to decode the film's intricate narrative, it became clear that the message was well-crafted and suitable for many viewers. Because each viewer's interpretation of the film's meaning was shaped by their cultural background, its impact may be widely distributed. Concurrently, the intentional framing decisions deftly emphasized marginalized communities' difficulties. The film's clever framing emphasized the complexity of the experiences and deeply evoked viewers' empathy for the individuals. These framing strategies, interwoven throughout the story, were crucial in enhancing the film's authenticity and eliciting sympathetic reactions from viewers. The capacity of the movie to promote intercultural sensitivity was at the core of its transformative effect. "BLACK AS U R" broke across cultural barriers with its genuine characterizations and deep narrative, encouraging viewers to empathize and understand one another. The movie sparked discussions by posing questions about stereotypes and biases (BLACK as U R, n.d.). The movie actively pushed acceptance and inclusivity by giving voice to the voiceless and humanizing their stories. Its ability to spark thought-provoking conversations highlighted its potential as a tremendous tool for social change, encouraging a more connected and empathic society. Discussion In media representation, "BLACK AS U R" is a seminal work that challenges cultural hegemony and structural racism while altering the conversation around truthful depictions of oppressed people. The film's success stems from its unwavering determination to challenge 7 biases and demolish stereotypes, delivering a moving story that has an impact that extends beyond the screen. A significant trend emerges that media may effectively drive social change when used appropriately. Furthermore, "BLACK AS U R" says much about the characters it depicts. The complex and lifelike characters operate as mirrors, capturing actual people's humanity, resiliency, and hardships. Through the lenses of intersectionality and Orientalism, their experiences go beyond the screen to reveal the often-hidden stories of Black LGBTQ+ people. The film's popularity stems from its narrative and capacity to make its characters relatable, allowing audiences to empathize strongly with their situations. Without a doubt, the movie succeeded in providing accurate representation. It dismantled preconceptions by questioning dominant narratives, which helped people grasp the variety of the Black LGBTQ+ community more realistically. However, even while "BLACK AS U R" is a positive start, it also emphasizes the necessity of long-term transformation. Authenticity and diversity must be prioritized by the media business as a whole (BLACK as U R, n.d.). This includes the voices behind the camera and the narrative being presented. It is imperative to incorporate a range of opinions during the creative process to provide a comprehensive and truthful representation of underrepresented communities. Also, the audience plays a crucial role, as it is the viewers' responsibility to actively seek out and support media that dispels myths and encourages truthful representation. By doing this, they support the call for more varied narratives and inspire content producers to go beyond conventional limits to examine the complex identities found among marginalized communities. People must critically engage with media information, distinguishing between accurate depiction and damaging stereotypes, as public discourse and media literacy are crucial in forming societal attitudes. Moreover, the audience plays a crucial part in constructing media narratives (Kang et al., 2020). To actively contribute to the demand for 8 more varied storylines, viewers must actively seek out and support media that dispels preconceptions and encourages truthful representation. By doing this, they support underrepresented voices and inspire content producers to push the envelope and explore the complex identities within these groups. Public dialogue and media literacy are essential for influencing society's attitudes in the digital age (Hobbs, 2021). People must critically interact with media information, distinguishing between accurate portrayal and damaging stereotypes, to promote an inclusive and understanding society. Viewers open the door to a more just and compassionate media environment as they become astute supporters of varied and truthful representations. Conclusion Deep insights into the ability of media to act as a catalyst for social change have been gained from examining "BLACK AS U R" via the perspectives of systemic racism and cultural hegemony, orientalism and intersectionality, encoding and decoding, and intercultural sensitivity. Examining how underrepresented communities, particularly those within the Black LGBTQ+ spectrum, are portrayed in the media and how these representations interact with broader societal standards was the initial goal of this research project. After careful examination, the movie was revealed as a shining example of a transformative narrative that defied stereotypes, destroyed prejudices, and humanized experiences that had been marginalized for a long time. It became clear that responsible media shapes society rather than reflects it. The audience now must advocate for actual storytelling by acting as discerning consumers in addition to the filmmakers. "BLACK AS U R" asks for a communal commitment to honest depiction, establishing the groundwork for a more inclusive and compassionate society while demonstrating the film's power to promote empathy and understanding. 9 References Bennett, J. M. (2015). The SAGE Encyclopedia of Intercultural Competence. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781483346267 BLACK AS U R. (n.d.). Frameline. Retrieved October 23, 2023, from https://www.frameline.org/films/frameline46/black-as-u-r Ciavolella, R. (2020, December 3). Fmony and the Political Subject in Anthropology. Brill.com; Brill. https://brill.com/display/book/9789004443778/BP000006.xml Hobbs, R. (2021). Media literacy in action: Questioning the media. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. Kang, J. A., Hong, S., & Hubbard, G. T. (2020). The role of storytelling in advertising: Consumer emotion, narrative engagement level, and word‐of‐mouth intention. Journal of Consumer Behaviour, 19(1), 47–56. Khukhlaev, O. E., Gritsenko, V. V., Pavlova, O. S., Tkachenko, N. V., Usubian, S. A., & Shorokhova, V. A. (2020). A comprehensive model of intercultural competence: theoretical substantiation. RUDN Journal of Psychology and Pedagogics, 17(1), 1328. Rice, W. (2020, August 31). Letter to a Young Indigenous Journalist | The Walrus. The Walrus. https://thewalrus.ca/terra-cognita-letter-to-a-young-indigenous-journalist/