Norma_Rae

Research paper Norma Rae As it was said that “Race And Ethnicity in America” book “Race and ethnicity, along with religion and gender, are topics that emerge in every area-politics, law, the economy, entertainment, and sports, to name a few. In addition, we as individuals observe the tension and sometimes violence that emerge in the multicultural nation that is the United States (21).” There is no doubt that the phenomena of race and ethnicity is an inevitable fact. This phenomena have existed throughout history and across the world. An ethnicity is a population of human beings whose members identify with each other, on the basis of a real or a presumed common genealogy or ancestry. Commonly recognized American ethnic groups include American Indians, Latinos, Chinese, African Americans, European Americans, etc. The term race refers to the concept of dividing people into populations or groups on the basis of various sets of physical characteristics. Race relates to a person's appearance chiefly the color of their skin. It is determined biologically, with genetic traits such as skin color, eye color, hair color, bone/jaw structure etc. Ethnicity, on the other hand, relates to cultural factors such as nationality, culture, ancestry, language and beliefs. When it was thought race and ethnicity both together , have you ever asked yourself what are the defining characteristics of being "white" or "black" in America today or in the past' Is it solely a matter of skin color' Are the other factors as important or even more important' Is it language is so important' Country of origin' Cultural traditions' Family values' Religion' Or Skin color' Races and ethicity are very real in the world today. In order to understand them, it should be looked into culture and social interaction rather than biology. One of the best example about this issue “Norma Rae” the movie stars Sally Field, Beau Bridges and Ron Liebman. It was directed by Martin Ritt who was known for making socially conscious films about working class struggles and labor unions. By means of emphasizing these two issue, it can be understood that how the race and ethnicity affects people life from many aspects especially class struggles and labor unions. The movie which based on the true story is basically a story about a single mother who works in a textile factory in a small southern Baptist community who is frustrated by the unjust treatment by the factory and begins to organize a labor union. The movie takes place during the summer of 1978 and begins with Norma Rae on a work break. During this scene, film audiences introduced to her mother who also works at the factory. The factory is very noisy and has a very controlled atmosphere. The mother does not respond to Norma’s voice and is taken to the company physician. In trying to get the textile mill she and her family work for unionized, Sally Field's Norma Rae Webster also tries to earn self-respect at any cost. She's been leading a dead-end existence: a single mother, still living with her family, sleeping with married men who abuse her. But after being inspired by a union-organizer, Ron Liebman, Norma Rae is awakened to the possibilities of life and, what's more, everything that is wrong with the mill that seems to suck the energy and hope from those who stand there day after day trying to earn an honest dollar. This is actually the story about the struggle to achieve the American Dream despite facing very steep barriers. What's interesting about Norma Rae is that they chose to make the main character a woman, meaning not only did she have to deal with being exploited by the factory owners, she also had to deal with discrimination from men who don't want women in the workplace, not to mention sexual harrassment. Norma Rae is facing prejudice against women and she is facing poverty despite working hard in unhealthy conditions. She decides to take a stand to unionize the mill and this becomes a very dangerous decision. The role is especially nice because it is a true story about a woman who took a stand against her employers who violated labor law regulations. The manufacturers were so flagrant in their violations that Norma Rae's father had arm pain, and asked for a break. He was made to wait. Actually the pain in the arm was a heart attack that killed him. The noise in the factory was so bad that everybody had to yell and wear ear protection. The factory where she and her dad work does not know or want to know about unions. Workers are routinely abused and there is no way out for these hard-working laborers because each social class has its own cultural capital, but the dominant classes have the power to foster their own ideas as the most legitimate and valued.  Along comes Jewish Ron Leibman, Reuben, from the north, with the idea of forming a union. He meets up with much hostility. We see the southern hatred of unions in general and there is an underlining feeling of anti-Jewishness here as Jews have always been in the forefront of labor issues in America. Reuben Warshovsky, a smart and witty man arrived from a New York City; who proves to be a a lot of help for the townsfolk. Warshovsky is a labor union organizer who is willing to to lay down the rules for those head of the factory so the workers can gain the respect and higher wages than what they are receiving at the moment. But first he needs a leader that is opinionated, action-oriented, hard working and will not back down to pressure. The people need someone with a voice and Warshovsky sees that Norma fit the bill. Quickly Norma agreed to take the role as the union leader. However, leading a union organizer means she will need fellow workers behind her one hundred percent. Instead most of the people prefer to drown their sorrows and defeated attitudes with a beer than get involved. While finding a way to get her co-workers by her side, Warshovsky and Rae get to know each other personally-but not in a romantic way, though Warshovsky reveals to Norma his first sexual experience and give her the feel how he'd lived in the busy city. On the other hand, Norma tells all about her difficult relationships with men and still tries to find a way to get through the mill workers. Meanwhile, management at the factory hears of the union that is in effect and want to win Norma over by giving her a better position and more money to keep her from proceeding on as the union organizer. Norma Rae became curious about Rauben’s ethnicity and engages him in the following exchange : “Are you a Jew'” Ask Norma Rae. “I beg your pardon '” replies Reuben. “Are you a Jew'” “Born and bred.” “I never meet a Jew before.” replies Norma Rae informs him. “How are you doing'” says Reuben as he moves forward tos hake her hand.” “I heard you all had horns.” “Circumcised, yes horns no.” “Well far as I can see you don’t look any different from the rest of us.” “But we are.” says Reuben, correcting her again. “You are, well what makes you different'” “History” says Reuben emphatically. According to “Learning History In America” book, it is emphasized that the thing that Reuben tried to tell Norma Rae that race and ethnicity are, above all else products of history, that they are not created by nature but by men and women and that men and women can change them (105). In a conclusion, at the end of the movie, Norma Rae won a great victory and an unusual victory for a woman in the suburban south to have accomplished great hights as Norma Rae did. She created an image of a strong woman who could be a role model for many women, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, nationality, or sexual preference. As a strong woman, Norma Rae opened doors for all kinds of people living in her town and out. Sally Field filled her role with perseverance and courage, inspiring all to stand up and form a union, literally or connotatively. For that reason Norma Rae is a penetrating film about working-class struggle. It is also a film about unionizing and feminism, but these are subordinate themes, delicately woven into the objective and subjective patterns of working-class culture and everyday life emphasizing society’s prejudices about race and ethnicity. WORK CITED ▪ Kramer, Lloyd, Reid Donald and Barney L. William. History In America : Schools Cultures and Politics. University of Minnesota press, cop. 1994. ▪ Schafer, T.Richard. Race and Ethnicity In The United States. Prentice Hall; 6 edition, June 5, 2010. ▪ Kelley, Megan. AMER 459 Race and Ethnicity in American Culture, University Of Bilkent, 2010. ▪ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnic_group ▪ http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/films/films.php'id=2769