The Color of Fear -Jacob Butler

In The Color of Fear, they gathered eight men of different ethnicities.  There was two Asian American men, two African American men, two Latino men, and two white men. The director asked them questions about race in America.  One question sparking debate was how they identified their ethnicity.  Lee said that he was “American”, and some people said that they were “African American” or “Asian American” and didn’t want to just say “American” because they felt ousted from American society due to racism.  

The Color of Fear had many moments where the Critical Race Theory becomes very applicable.  An interesting moment was when they were talking about people who were nonwhite, and the differences they had between them.  Victor was talking to Lee about privilege.  Victor said that back during the days of slavery that the lighter skinned slaves were the house slaves and therefore had more privilege.  According to Victor, this notion has been carried over where he believes Asians have more privileges because they are closer to being white.  This makes me think of the terms “whiteness” and “passing.” According to this idea, the whiter you are the more privileged you become.  This could lead to people who aren't white trying to pass as white for more equality.  Similarly, I view myself in a racial construct.  I look at myself as white, and people view me as white, but I have ancestry from Mexico and Spain.  I identify as white though because it is easier to say that I am white than it is to argue with someone that I am not, especially with blue eyes and blonde hair.  Therefore, I have privilege based on my skin tone.  This illustrates the Cultural Race Theory tenant that race is a social construct.  

   At one point in the film, Victor is talking to David and he says racism is a “white problem.”  He indicated if they wanted to end racism, it needs to come from the white people.  He says the whites want to end it by having anyone who is nonwhite “all act white”.  This is remnant of the differences the first and second generation Korean Americans felt.  The first generation felt a “passionate patriotism” and the second generation had become very Americanized (Takaki 279).  The second were becoming like what David was discussing and “acting White” and the first generation acted like what Victor was talking about and holding onto their heritage.  

    I was very surprised when Gordon said, “Mexicans don’t have it as bad” in reference to them having lighter skin.  It reminded me of the passage we read where Asians in the south were seen as below whites, but they also would sit in  the front of the bus.  Many people look at race relations in a biracial prospective.  They see the relations between African American and white, not including Asian Latino, or any other forms of ethnicity.  This puts them in an awkward position. They could be pushed to the wayside and not be included in race talks.  It also can create existential strain because they, like the Asians in the south, were regarded in the racial hierarchy as above African American but still being mistreated by the whites.