Park History of Race and Racial Inequality in US & American
Introduction
This film examines the history of race and racial inequality in the US. The film follows Gunner Myrdal’s 1944 research on the US “negro problem” which troubles the cultural values of equality, liberty, and freedom. This documentary brings the concept of implicit bias to a contemporary setting to understand the ongoing racial inequalities despite the Civil Rights Movement.
Directions
In this assignment you will watch the documentary film American Denial (Links to an external site.) and then write a reflection paper that first summarizes the main points from the film and then addresses the following questions:
- Have race issues improved since Myrdal’s study?
- Do you think that having a black president has moved us closer to racial equality in the United States? Why or why not?
- What do you think about the concept of implicit bias and how is a bias reproducing inequality?
- What is the most important thing an individual can do to reduce prejudice and discrimination?
