Racist portrayals of characters in films, especially older ones, are common, but as a 21st century viewer, you should ignore these portrayals completely and focus on the main message, or analyze their representations in the context of the film? Some may argue that because a film was made a long time ago, it was common to portray certain races in a negative way, and being overly "offended" by the depictions distracts from the message the film's writers were trying to convey. Perhaps if a viewer watches a film purely for entertainment this perspective is true, but even in the 21st century to completely ignore these depictions is lazy and can even be dangerous. It is important to analyze racist portrayals in films to some extent, without completely losing focus on the film's message. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay An educational environment is the most important environment for complex analysis because it can be a space for conversation about real-world problems. School is no longer a place to learn only calculus and chemistry; it has become a space to find solutions, or even starting points to solve problems outside the educational context. Even though there has been quite a positive change in the education system in the United States, there is still a lot of work to be done. While it seems benign, ignoring racist portrayals in films is a step backwards towards racial equality. At the end of a film, is it better to have fun or learn? The two options are not mutually exclusive. For example, by analyzing the portrayals of the characters in “The Adventures of Prince Achmed,” it is possible to engage in an intense conversation about race without losing any part of the story itself. In the film there is a racist connection between ugliness, evil and black skin. This isn't a theme that only recurs in the film; it is a theme that occurs in reality. People have a negative tendency to choose certain ideas that support their narrative, without taking context into account. For example, many people hate Colin Kaepernick for protesting racial inequality and say that he is a black man with abundance of wealth, so he should help his own community instead of just "desperately grabbing attention." It is convenient for these people to overlook the fact that Kaepernick has donated over a million dollars to various non-profit organizations and has encouraged others to donate as well. This kind of ignorance is dangerous for a world of equality. While it might seem different than ignoring racist portrayals in movies, it's actually quite similar. Both involve ignoring reality to avoid complex thought processes because it is much simpler than trying to actually solve a problem. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Eliminating ignorance in the Western education system is crucial for equality even in modern times. Perhaps the most powerful action is to fight the idea that certain knowledge is considered legitimate. “Western knowledge” should not be considered superior, otherwise we will destroy modern progress towards equality.