Race and Ethnicity In Film

The portrayal of various races and ethnicities in cinema has certainly come a long way since Griffith's Birth Of A Nation (1915). This reflects the progress of society. In the past, it has been a pattern of films to serve as reinforcements of racist perceptions by representing minority characters through an extreme degree of stereotypical behavior. Though there are still issues concerning race and ethnicity in making films, there is obvious progress. A minority actor in the early 1900’s was not allowed an important role. Currently the most successful and well-respected actors in Hollywood come from various ethnic backgrounds. Don Chedle for example who played a primary role in the movie Crash has received 17 academy awards as well as 44 additional nominations. Crash takes an even further advanced approach by critically examining stereotypes and assumptions as compared to reality. This correlates to forward thought in American society as diversity is becoming more and more recognized, and being highlighted at the foreground of thought.