1970's: Film Analysis

“Do you get what you’re hoping for? When you look behind you, there’s no open doors. What are you hoping for?” (Do You Know Where You’re Going To, Diana Ross) During the time of the 1970’s women did not have many privileges they have today. Portrayed in the film Mahogany (1975), screen played by John Byrum and directed by Berry Gordy, is the struggle of which women faced every day in the early years of 1970’s. This fascinating film demonstrates the sexism and racism American women of color had to deal with during this time. Mahogany (1975) reflects the political, cultural, and historical aspect of the issues and inequality African Americans faced throughout these years of their lives. Diana Ross, as Tracy Chambers, represents women of color very well in this film. Tracy is a young women whom aspires to become one of the world’s top fashion designer. She works in Chicago to try to broaden her fashion skills and

Tracy starts out as a typical girl in the South Side of Chicago. She works as a secretary in a department store, goes to school, and dreams to become a fashion designer. Tracy takes her designs to her aunt, whom sewed up all her outfits and took them around to see if anyone would ever be interested in Tracy’s designs. There was not a big reaction to her designs at all, but luckily she does not give up there. She finds it hard to make it big at first, but it was only a matter of time until meets a big time fashion photographer, Sean, which then led to her start of a runaway success. Tracy meets Brian, whom ended up in jail on behalf of Tracy’s actions of pouring milk on his bullhorn, which had then led to a fight. She bails Brian out and he promises to repay her. Late one night she hears coins falling in her mail slot, she gets up to see what is going on and finds Brian out there. She and Brian begin to get to know each other and eventually end up being