PSY 317 "Cry Freedom"

       Similar to "Mississippi Burning", this film is a history description about prejudice against the 'blacks' in africa. The only big difference is it involves the government and the whole of South Africa. This movie showed how the government treat the Africans by forcefully chasing them away and running their house down, banned Steven Biko, shooting at the children mob, as well as how they use baloney reasons to cover their murder in jail. This actually make me realize some things that is happening around us.


      At first impression, I thought the movie would revolve around Steve Biko because at the start of the movie, it mentioned the film was based on the book 'Biko' (picture above) and 'Asking For Trouble' (picture below). But as the movie goes on, Biko died and towards the end it was about how Donald Woods struggle his way to publish his book containing the truth and evil deeds of the South African security force led by the Minister of Police himself, Jimmy Kruger. I don't know why but I got the feeling he's the bad guy during the conversation where Jimmy greeted and invited Donald to the house. Maybe from these lines after Donald Woods commented on not having a police around, "Perhaps not in sight, but if you weren't expected". Or from how he interpose how their white ancestors burgeon the country with the help of slavery from the Africans, or how he described Biko.

        The most inspiring part of the movie was that Biko, without the certain education, could perform a charismatic speech and debate in court. For example, when the lawyer judged Biko for his 'naked terrorism' to have a confrontation including violence in his paper. Biko responded "You and I are having a confrontation but I don't see any violence" and when the judge asked "Why do you call yourselves black? You look more brown than black". To that, Biko replied "Why do you call yourselves white? You look more pink than white". The judge understands the hidden message in between by acknowledging it with a slight smile and saying "Precisely". It makes me wonder whether it is the actual words in history. As I went through youtube, I saw some videos of Steve Biko's speech and interviews so I guess it's documented straight from recordings of before. I also admire the courage Donald Woods took to help the people after being inspired by Biko and his death. Because personally, I know currently I can't do such thing no matter in any aspects. I also think it was funny that the disguise worked.

From this video, we could see how they segregated and differentiated the 'whites' and the 'blacks' during the APARTHEID. It is an obvious discrimination countrywide that limits the resources of an African. It is no wonder many others have to stand up and speak for their rights. {Just to get banned} I would always think of why would they need to segregate or label people who are different. I do agree we have to know others before judging them with many other sources promoting the learning of the other culture improves racism and prejudice. Prejudice and whatnot always happens with fear first.

       

For example, in the olden days the Japans called the 'whites' a ghost because they are fair-skinned with bright colored hair and eyes and they drank 'blood'. Obviously this is because previously, the Japanese were conservative and did not know there are other kinds of people and that the 'blood' is actually a drink called red wine. It's the same with Donald Woods where Ramphele criticized his first article on Biko saying he do not understand him. Then slowly, Donald became friends with Biko after few get-a-long meetings and trips to the 'black' society. This could also be seen by the workers in Donald's company who at first troubled by the idea of hiring the Africans. Yet, when one of them got sent to jail all of them came out to send him off and Ken, the photographer, took a picture of the police officer as an act of despise.

"Do you know what we call opinion in the absence of evidence? We call it prejudice." ― Michael Crichton, State of Fear 

       Thanks to a banned journalist there is no more fear for the government in South Africa. Prejudice is not a problem if the individual is willing to learn and change the facts.

"The most potent weapon of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed."

Steven Biko

South African's anthem with 3 languages.....

PSY 317 "Burning Mississippi"

A film to repent on all of our doings...

Living in a multicultural country, we might have just did the same to others with or without noticing it.

       Agent Rupert Anderson and Alan Ward, 2 FBI agents "invading" into a small town to find the 3 missing civil rights agents and all they get is their 'feet in the mud'. In Jessup county, most villagers treat the FBI as how they treat the "blacks", which are the African American. They called them the outsiders and would not let them find the 3 'boys' in their state. To obsessed in thinking that they are the superior beings, they neglected and would not take the chance into really seeing who or how are the African Americans. In the end, there was finally an integration displayed where a few "whites" were singing together with the "blacks" on the burned down church.

      I've always liked to watch films that involves police or a detective solving crimes. It has been a thing that police usually go by the order of stuffs and that defiant police are not the best police. To my opinion, to catch a bad guy, you either think like one or be like one. The best is to give them an eye for an eye since the good old way would make them running further. At first, Agent Alan and Rupert did it the old-fashioned FBI way. Until Rupert started to make a different approach.

After many incidents, especially the part where the judge released custody of 3 of the Ku Klux Klan, Agent Alan became even more desperate to catch the culprits as soon as possible. Agent Alan who was against Agent Rupert's idea had to go along with it in the end. Due to the suspense, my friend and I thought that throughout the movie Rupert will be killed while taking dangerous measures. Well..... All's well that ends well....  I still don't understand why the Sheriff got acquitted....


       From a few scenes, the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) burned giant crosses when committing the wrongs or worshipping their clan. I thought the KKK were heavily dependent on Christian and worship God until I came upon websites explaining that there were no burning crosses in the beginning of their acts. The burning crosses means the lighting up of the cross that symbolizes a light for God to watch and know of their 'deeds'. Or just a simple sign of victory of war to others. I see it funny how they could kill lots of people, or perceived they are acting in the name of God when the Bible has a commandment "Thou shalt not kill".

Prejudice & Discrimination {that always leads to HATE}

        An innate response from a baby is crying. As they grow, the first thing a baby learn to do is smile and laugh, not hate or hurting others. Thus, as said by Mrs. Pell, hatred is not something innate, but taught, "After seven years of age, you get told enough times, you'd believe it." 'It' being the disassociation of the African Americans from themselves.






       I believe there is also an essence of conformity and obedience in discrimination. Because one person obeys the hatred to the African Americans, everybody else follows and conforms to it which gradually turning it into a norm. It is not just a norm but a generational and worldwide norm, even children have to believe in it. Like how Clayton Townley give speeches to the people and the audience supported it. In many of these scenes, there are children watching and some big enough to follow or conform with their parents. The social learning theory of being exposed would eventually lead to imitation of the behavior. The same goes to hatred. My father threw a stone at an African American, then I'll throw a stone at his son, no biggie.


       As we all know, prejudice is not the same as stereotype. Yet, it could be the source of one. We should not discriminate a group just because a minority/majority does the same. The only way to avoid this is to understand everything about one another or just don't make it worse by putting your nose in it. I stop myself from negative impressions of someone until I see evidence. Besides, this is only to that particular individual and not the whole group.

We are a bunch of different, yet, unique individuals.

{who unfortunately conforms to anything available}

P.s. I'm sorry but I don't agree that every single person would learn from their mistakes. As mentioned earlier, it is taught, conformed, and practiced over time. Plus, lots of people just watch movies for the sake of it. Not many would consider about stuffs after a movie. {not like us curious, nosy psychology students :P}

PSY 317 "Eat Drink Man Woman"

     

      A movie of cooking and family relationships. To be fair, Asian, in this case Chinese cultures, always have banquets for social gatherings often more than a Western. It has always been in the tradition to serve food at every single event. That was why every eating scene in this movie was used as the main setting for the characters to have a little chitchat or a heart-to-heart confession.

     The father, Mr. Chu, started off as a typical Chinese man and father. But, as the story developed he was not as traditional as every other traditional Chinese father in classical Chinese movies. This can be seen by how he faced with his first and third daughters' relationship. Jia-Jen and Jia-Ning told the news out of the blue during their usual Sunday banquet dinner. After they confessed having a baby and already married, he calmly sees them off to their new life with their new partner. A typical Chinese father would forbid their daughters even for having a relationship with another unknown person. Mr. Chu's reaction was portrayed as silently accepting + giving his blessings to them.

      It has been a generational culture for the typical Chinese, maybe Asians, without exposed of much Western culture to be all lovey-dovey to each other. The Chinese would usually express themselves through body language, facial emotions, and the action of concern to each other which makes us behavioral interdependence instead of affective interdependence. Therefore, we usually take for granted for what has been there without much interest until one expresses what was really inside their hearts. One of these were shown by the interaction with the first and second daughter while washing plates. Biologically a male, it would be harder for a man to read the emotions of a woman (proven by research <http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0060278#s1>). Yet, Mr. Chu pulls it off by being able to read his daughters' emotions about his food and every other day. Not many fathers would help do their daughters' laundry as well.



      Being the youngest, Jia-Ning had not much interaction with her father. So to my opinion, there was not many changes between her and Mr. Chu. She still loves him and wants the best for him. Towards the end of the movie, she expressed that she was sorry for what she had done to him and doesn't want him to get married to Mrs. Liang. The only change similar among all daughters was that the Sunday dinner was a more welcoming event than before.


     The most interesting father to daughter relationship scene in the film was how he wakes every daughter up before and maybe after his morning jogs. I believe after seeing all his daughters settled down and having their own family and goals, he, himself decided to pursue his own future by announcing his unexpected relationship with Jin-Rong. Knowing about the Holland project (Jia-Chien's Amsterdam promotion), he made up his mind to sell the house and led a new life where I believe it is to make Jia-Chien less obliged to him and strive for a better future.

     As all of the daughters became more open and true to themselves together with their father, their relationships deepen within each other. Their relationships stopped developing further after the mother's death or the disapproval of career option for Jia-Chien's case. Following the social penetration theory, their usual conversation was simple and small, or at least sharing an issue. Whereas, deeper statement and private issues were discussed at the dinner table. Finally, the daughters now shares their own believes and values after some climax and arguments.




Conclusion -----> The movie was an inspiring Chinese familial conflict and relationship development with a combination of food events. The title actually explains the basic needs of human which was mentioned in the drunk scene of Mr. Chu and Old Wen. The movie was surprising and unexpected that made it funny. A nice movie to watch when hungry...