In the world of hollywood film, as well as society as a whole, there are often racial biases that benefit some, and inhibit others. Time and time again, theses racial stereotypes are portrayed throughout Hollywood cinema. As shown in the Good Will Hunting, Will Hunting, played by Matt Damon, shows time and time again that superior Knowledge, and white skin color is the the key to success. Whether it was him winning over Skylar in the Harvard Bar, or talking his way out of legal consequences in the courtroom, Will uses his societal advantages to the fullest. Within the world of Hollywood cinema, class, specifically those within a lower socioeconomic status, proves that it is significantly more difficult to advance in life than those in a wealthier
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Will’s success is largely due to his personal connectictions, and being at the right place at the right time. For example, Will was discovered by Gerald Lambeau when he was solving the advanced math equation outside of the professor’s room. It was a lucky break that the professor witnessed Will solving the equation. Will’s luck continued when the professor went to the buildings and grounds office to get the name of the person that had completed the near impossible math equation. Because Will is a white male, he has certain advantages right off the bat. If he was a different race other than white, or a female, it would be a safe assumption that that he would be in a different place in life. According to McIntosh, white privilege and male privilege is a privilege that people are born with. “I have come to see white privilege as an invisible package of unearned assets which I can count on cashing in each day, but about which I was ‘meant’ to remain oblivious. White privilege is like an invisible weightless knapsack of special provisions, maps, passports, codebooks, visas, clothes, tools, and blank checks”(McIntosh). This description encapsulates Will. His “Invisible Knapsack” is what is keeping him out of trouble, and on a path to
Will’s success is largely due to his personal connectictions, and being at the right place at the right time. For example, Will was discovered by Gerald Lambeau when he was solving the advanced math equation outside of the professor’s room. It was a lucky break that the professor witnessed Will solving the equation. Will’s luck continued when the professor went to the buildings and grounds office to get the name of the person that had completed the near impossible math equation. Because Will is a white male, he has certain advantages right off the bat. If he was a different race other than white, or a female, it would be a safe assumption that that he would be in a different place in life. According to McIntosh, white privilege and male privilege is a privilege that people are born with. “I have come to see white privilege as an invisible package of unearned assets which I can count on cashing in each day, but about which I was ‘meant’ to remain oblivious. White privilege is like an invisible weightless knapsack of special provisions, maps, passports, codebooks, visas, clothes, tools, and blank checks”(McIntosh). This description encapsulates Will. His “Invisible Knapsack” is what is keeping him out of trouble, and on a path to