4/14 Think about the most stereotypical film you have ever seen. This could be a movie that represents a specific culture, race, gender, or group in an oversimplified or unrealistic way. In your response, explain what film you are referring to, what stereotypes were present in the film, and how those stereotypes shaped your understanding of that group at the time

 prompt: One of the most stereotypical movies I've seen is the movie Precious. This movie depicts a young black woman facing an intersection of different issues. She has no father as he passed/left when she was young, shes overweight and has a disabled daughter (down syndrome), she is failing high school, she is black, and she is facing abuse from her mother in a multitude of ways. This movie is a heavy hitter on the harsher side of what impoverished, black kids face when failed by the system. Obviously the circumstances are exaggerated for film purposes, however many parts of the movie are realistic for people born into families like this. Because I am also black, I was not totally influenced by any of the stereotypes present, but it helped me get a better understanding of how the black community can be viewed. One of the strongest stereotypes was that Precious (the mc) was stupid/incapable. She was told by her mother and it reflected in her performance in school that she couldn't keep up with schoolwork. This reminded me of the stereotype that black kids are typically worse performers in school than their non-black counterparts. I do not recommend watching the movie if you haven't because it is very sad, and touches on topics like assault, however some people consider it a classic so to each his own. 

summary: I was not here at school this day

reflection: ^