Masculinity In Lee Mun Wah's Color Of Fear

Lee Mun Wah’s Color of Fear features a thoughtful and emotional discussion of the problems men face in society with focus into the race relations that shape lives. Hosting a variety of men from different race backgrounds and experiences, the discussion they have among each other opens up new questions and a deeper understanding of the ways racism has interwoven its way into society and masculinity. Working from explanations of white privilege to the sensitive topic of racism between men of color, the film is a sensitive but eye opening experience. There are times where white men, and even myself, struggled to connect or understand inner issues, but the progress reached by the end of the movie speaks volumes to how important healthy conversation …show more content…
Inter-race issues that spring up due to perceived stereotypes among men of color are created from the top of our the patriarchal hierarchy, where white heterosexual men have placed a great deal of attention in holding down other identities. These stereotypes and feelings of hatred are absorbed unknowingly, even by fellow men of color, creating a hostile environment in a community attempting to work together for their survival. This works to the advantage of the patriarchal masculinity, which in turns ranks men of color on terms of what is effective to their corrupted society’s needs. It creates the ‘lift yourself from your bootstraps’ mentality that we see strongly pushed on lower income individuals, this time aimed at race. It gives hope that achieving assimilation is possible despite race, but just like in an asymptote, reaching this perfect assimilation is impossible. Instead it keeps patriarchal expectations at the forefront, which benefits an already harmful power system, and further disconnects disadvantaged communities. It is, and has been through history, the greatest strength and strategy of our white-centric, patriarchal