Gran Torino Diversity

There are two different dimensions of our identities: ethnicity and race. Ethnicity refers to one’s belonging to a specific cultural, or racial group that makes up culture, race language, and/or place of origin. For example, one can be African-American but have different ethnicities, one African-American and the other African-Caribbean decent. Race is a social construct that can be changed over time. Historically, referring to its specific characteristics one possesses based on: ethnicity, religion, or language; today's its classified solely based upon the color of one’s skin. Nevertheless, ethnic and racial identities are important and instill a sense of belonging and identifying with that specific group through attitude, behaviors. Moreover,

Films represent groups to differ from one another due to their physical characteristics. This is especially true in Clint Eastwood's f2008 film Gran Torino. The film follows the changing attitudes of Walt Kowalski, as he learns that cultural difference between himself and his Hmong neighbours are only surface deep. Walt's friendship with his neighbours evolves into a need to save them from the Hmong gangs who harass them, and in doing so, find his own salvation. The characterisation of Walt challenges the stereotypical representation of both the elderly, and war heroes. The representation of the Hmong also challenges dominant attitudes towards this group of people, revealing them to be very similar in values to Walt himself.

The Hmong are very persistent and they relentlessly invited him to a party, coincidentally on his birthday. Walt finally accepts the invitation to the family barbeque which was the first step to creating a friendship with someone not of his kind. There he learned many things about the Hmong people’s customs, beliefs, traditions and communication style. He learned that you do not pat Hmong people or their children on the head ever because they believe the soul dwells there. Looking someone in the eye was considered rude; that is why everyone looked down instead of looking Walt directly in the eye. Another example of the Hmong communication style is when an elder from their family offers to “read him”. The elder tells Walt that his main problem is that he has no peace within and that is the reason he can’t find peace with others. There is a meaning to this; the shaman ritual of the Hmong tribe does not only represent a calling from ancestors but a ritual to show their fear towards the outside world.

Finally, one of the most important moral values a human being can possess is selflessness. It is when a person puts someone else’s needs before their own. In Gran Torino, one of the most heartfelt and saddest moments was when Walt sacrificed his life for Thao and the neighbourhood. He knew that if Thao went after his

Ethnicity and race are ways to differentiate a group of person from another; therefore, in the 21th century this terms has acquired a powerful meaning in society. A few months ago, I learned how significant this terms are.

Since the beginning of time, the world has been intolerant of people that are different or stand out. People have an issue accepting others that have contrasting views, values, opinions, beliefs, and even appearances. Whether we like it or not, there is a little bit racism in all of us, although it may not be as evident in one person as it is in another. In the 2004 film, Crash, race is portrayed as being an abnormality that negatively sets one person apart from another, which to this day is a reoccurring issue. Racial discrimination is a prominent theme in this particular screen play, that touches each character in a unique way. The movie demonstrates that although everyone is not exactly the same, we are all connected to each other in one way or another. Each character has specific traits that make them the person they are, yet somehow each of eventually become linked to one another despite their various races.

This film helps me to shape my overall outlook at multicultural issues and problems we face as a society, in that it causes me to see people’s talents and accomplishments, based on work ethic, rather than on a person’s race. I believe that this film can help with the issues and conversations that this film speaks to, because many people can understand that courage and accomplishments can defeat stereotypes and

Racism, prejudice and stereotyping, as the major themes of the movie, Crash, dominate all the

In contrast to the idea of race, Ethnicity refers to ethnic affiliation, or the “cultural practices and outlooks of a given community of people that set them apart from others” (Giddens, 1997:210). Members of a particular ethnic group see themselves as culturally distinct from other groups of people in a society or culture. There are different characteristics which serve as a way of

Another issue in the movie was attitudes. All races have attitudes towards people that are not like their own, whether they are good or bad. Attitudes I believe are connected with experiences. What one experiences with another race can affect the way their attitude is towards them.

Films have the power to both influence and reflect society. The stereotypes prevalent throughout American culture are reflected in most films. While the United States is becoming an increasingly diverse country, this diversity is not portrayed within American cinema. Minority figures often occupy

Popular culture was demonstrated when the granddaughter was texting during the grandmother’s funeral services; with the gang interaction and the music they played; the encounter on the corner with the Caucasian teenager walking with Sue and they were stopped by the three African American males and harassed physically and verbally with race and gender stereotypes and age when Walt came to the rescue. Walt had a quite a few verbal stereotypes for all of them in addition to using his gun to break up the conflict. Popular culture

The film Gran Torino directed by Client Eastwood challenges The issues of stereotypes through the attributes of contemporary assumptions of status, gender and ethnicity. Exploring the themes of absence of a male dominate figure, enabling protagonist Theo to be a feminine figure exploits the idea of gender portrays the Hmong men to be stereotyped.Ethnicity and status also express multiple meanings through the cinematography and the Hollywood narrative style illustrates many representation  of the western and eastern cultures These key terms gender, ethnicity  and status all intertwine with each other during the entire film. The Hmong culture have been stereotyped by the western culture concerning that the American way is the only way which

The 2008 movie “Gran Torino” starring Clint Eastwood is filled with an abundance of cultural diversity, which is met with much resistance, stereotype, and prejudice by the movies’ main character, Walt Kowalski. Walt’s world is changing; his Detroit neighborhood is decaying, his relationship with his sons is distant, and his Korean War memories continue to destroy his ability to fully enjoy life. Through an unlikely bond with the Hmong children next door, Walt finally receives redemption by coming face-to-face with the same destructive prejudices consuming neighborhood teenage gang members

Many people say that old people fear change as they have grown so accustomed to their old ways, however, in Clint Eastwood’s meaningful and captivating drama Gran Torino, it is exemplified that anyone is capable of change. Gran Torino shares a story about tolerance and cultural differences, but also one about hope, self-sacrifice, and unlikely relationships. In the film, an abundance of cultural diversity is met with much resistance, stereotype, and prejudice by the movies’ main character, Walt Kowalski. Walt’s world is changing; his wife has died, his Detroit neighbourhood is deteriorating, his relationship with his two sons is distant, and his Korean War memories continue to affect his ability to fully enjoy life. Through an unlikely bond with the Hmong family next door, Walt finally receives redemption by coming face-to-face with the same destructive prejudices consuming neighbourhood teenage gang members that have consumed him. Through the devices of characterisation, symbolism, and dialogue the viewers will witness Walt emerge as a more compassionate individual who becomes more accepting of other cultures and ethnic backgrounds around him.