Authors use a variety of approaches in mass media when confronting prominent social issues. Racism is an issue that plagues society through the isolation and ill-treatment of certain minority groups. Both Paul Haggis’ film Crash and Erica Pandey’s essay Why My Father Can’t Grow a Beard confront the existence of racism in Post-racial America. Haggis tells a story about the struggles a middle-aged Muslim man has to go through in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. Pandey recounts a brief encounter with United States Customs that is just one example of the racism minority groups endure every day. Both authors convey the notion that racism is still alive and that individuals endure this through racial stereotyping, however, Haggis expresses this by including the negative
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While Pandey addresses the issue of racial stereotyping on the legal level by using her life experiences as an example. Erica Pandey details an encounter her family had with United States Customs and uses this as a minor example to raise awareness for a major issue in society. Erica Pandey was traveling back to her home in Boston after a brief family vacation in Toronto, Canada. Obviously, in order to get into this country from a foreign country one must pass through United States Customs. This is a relatively quick process, however, not for people like Pandey. Being a Muslim family, Pandey’s family often falls victim to common societal stereotypes people have about muslims. Her family was stopped at customs and was verbally abused by a customs officer who compared them to the likes of terrorists. This is a common stereotype people possess about Muslims because they view them all as terrorists trying to organize a jihad. This obviously could not be further from the truth as Islam is a very peaceful religion, however, Muslims and other minorities still face racial stereotyping everyday due to suspicions of terrorism and other illegal activity. Societal stereotypes regarding race leaves
While Pandey addresses the issue of racial stereotyping on the legal level by using her life experiences as an example. Erica Pandey details an encounter her family had with United States Customs and uses this as a minor example to raise awareness for a major issue in society. Erica Pandey was traveling back to her home in Boston after a brief family vacation in Toronto, Canada. Obviously, in order to get into this country from a foreign country one must pass through United States Customs. This is a relatively quick process, however, not for people like Pandey. Being a Muslim family, Pandey’s family often falls victim to common societal stereotypes people have about muslims. Her family was stopped at customs and was verbally abused by a customs officer who compared them to the likes of terrorists. This is a common stereotype people possess about Muslims because they view them all as terrorists trying to organize a jihad. This obviously could not be further from the truth as Islam is a very peaceful religion, however, Muslims and other minorities still face racial stereotyping everyday due to suspicions of terrorism and other illegal activity. Societal stereotypes regarding race leaves