A Conversation about Race: A Documentary by Craig Bodeker

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A Conversation About Race is a documentary by Craig Bodeker. In the movie, Mr. Bodeker attempts to debunk racism. The film centers on interviews of people in Denver, Colorado who answered a Craigslist posting entitled “Ending Racism Now” as well as people interviewed on street corners presumably at random. Mr. Bodeker presents clips of these interviews and provides narration. According to Mr. Bodeker, the film’s purpose is to expose the myth of racism and show how the White race suffers from reverse racism and double standards (Dispatch Inc, 2013).
The film opens with a quote by Reverend Jeremiah Wright, “Racism is how this country was founded and how this country is still run!...We [in the U.S.] believe in white supremacy and black inferiority and believe it more than we believe in God.” (Dispatch, 2013). As I read this quote, I was determined to view this film with an open mind. The film transitioned from the opening quote to a speech given by Barack Obama wherein he refers to Reverend Wright’s offensive sermons about America. Mr. Bodeker speaks stating, “…I also can’t think of another issue that is more artificial, manufactured and manipulated than this whole construct called racism.” (Dispatch, 2013). Mr. Bodeker continues, “This construct of racism is not an objective term. It has no concise definition. In fact, it’s used too often as a tool of intimidation, like a hammer, against Caucasian Whites.” (Dispatch, 2013). The interviews conducted asked questions such as, “Do you see racism in your daily life?”, “What is racism?”, “Can you give an example of the racism you see?”, “Are Blacks better at basketball than Whites?” Mr. Bodeker states, “I’m not trying to make anyone look foolish but the conventional wisdom on r...

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...an only see how other races are “attacking” the White race. To Mr. Bodeker the White race is the real victim but to me this is a ludicrous notion.
Ultimately, it is my opinion that this film is a perfect example of what is wrong with society. Society and the social “norm” dictate what is acceptable. Society (or a select few in power) has determined that racism is an acceptable practice. Society is oblivious to the fact that this acceptable “norm” is something that can and should be changed. Until the day that the “races” can come together and demand equal treatment of all, regardless of race, racism will persists.

References
Dispatch Inc. (2013, January 6). A conversation about race [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNRVL8tibOo&noredirect=1 Schaefer, R. T. (2012). Racial and ethnic groups (13th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.

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