Racial Discrimination and Segregation in Eyes on the Prize Essay Example

Racial discrimination and segregation have been some of the most controversial and persistent topics throughout the history of the United States. The episode “Awakenings” of the docuseries “Eyes on the Prize” examines these issues and the importance of the civil rights movements to the achievement of equality. Even though it is pensive to visualize the cruelty of racist vehemence again, the film celebrates everybody who sensed the moment and seized the opportunity for racial reforms, irrespective of race or ethnicity.

Reflectively, one thing that surprised me the most was that white Americans mounted resistance to their black counterparts despite the rigorous training and authority that the black officers were subjected to. Blacks were also treated as second-class citizens. Therefore, these actions only serve to broadcast the nature of racism and superiority that have taken center stage in America. The world should condemn such acts that amplify discrimination against other races as they go against human nature. The segregation in schools, whereby American whites have their exclusive schools that bar black Americans from accessing them, is also no exception. I have been heartbroken to see negative cultures and hatred being cultivated by children from an early age. These acts are only contributing to driving our country into the dungeon instead of making any meaningful development that will propel America to the highest levels it deserves.

During the movie, communication played a huge role in influencing public opinion and the overall outcome of the trial. The Jet magazine was impressive in publishing the events that transpired and that led to the murder of Emmett Till and also the judgment of the jury regarding the black woman who refused to give her seat to an American man on the bus. The critiques of the Emmett killers and the jury were able to assemble and, as such, champion the changes they felt should be made in matters of racial discrimination and segregation. However, white Mississippi editorials started to publish confutations in favor of Bryant and Milam, featuring them smiling, coupled with an article about their mother vowing to stand with them. The local newspapers had so exacerbated cravings for the white Mississippians, leading to three core witnesses' leaving the state in a panic of vengeance. Nevertheless, the mass demonstration staged by black Americans was undoubtedly critical in broadcasting the plight of blacks at the hands of American authorities, giving rise to the subsequent civil rights movement.

Having given a glimpse of the history, I feel some connections between the events that took place in the movie and the racial and social justice movements that have been experienced in the last few years in the United States. The perception that white Americans are superior to black Americans has been in place for centuries, and I do not expect this to change anytime soon, despite our persevering efforts. In the past few years, several reports have detailed the way the federal government intentionally targets advocates of the Black Lives Movement with the sole purpose of depressing black communities. Regarding these events, I am perplexed that human beings are unceasingly fighting among themselves, all in the name of trying to exercise superiority to gain control over their peers. It is saddening to see people being subjected to inhumane conditions and continuing to live as if nothing ever happened. These events have also made me reconsider how I will have to relate to my peers. It does not help to oppress other people just to have mere satisfaction and to pride oneself on being from a superior race.

Despite portraying the ugliness of racial disparities, “Eyes on the Prize” does not concentrate on depicting melodrama or racial horror, but rather an inspiring scene that celebrates every individual who sensed the disparities in the era and advocated for equity irrespective of their racial identities. I strongly believe that a cohesive community can achieve more as opposed to an isolated one, and in particular, a community based on skin color and class.