Black-Jewish relations
Watch one of the following films or the theatre play:
* Film: BlackKklansman (Spike Lee, 2018)
* Film: Straight Outta Compton (F. Gary Gray, 2015)
* Film: Do the Right Thing (Spike Lee, 1989)
* Theatre Play: Fires in the Mirror (Anna Deavere Smith, 1992) https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL65FD5ED3CF2B0A7D
Write a review essay, focusing on Black-Jewish relations in the film/play.
Focus on three or four of the following elements:
How are Black-Jewish relations portrayed in the film?
Does the film include or suggest, or takes for granted an understanding of Jews as a race or as not a race?
Are either Black or Jews or both portrayed as ‘good’ or ‘bad’? As ‘moral’ or ‘immoral’? As ‘likeable’ or ‘not likeable’?
Historical accuracy: You may conduct some historical research about the topic: Does the film remain true to historical events (if applicable)? Have some modifications been made? If so, what do they mean?
Casting and actors: what choices were made and what are their implications for the film’s plot and meaning?
Message: What is the film’s/play’s message? Does it want us to accept a certain narrative, point of view, or argument?
Audience: What is the intended audience of the film? Does it have different meanings/messages for different audience?
Particular scenes: Describe 2-3 scenes that seem especially meaningful to you for the question of Black-Jewish relations, explain their meaning.
