Movie Analysis Essay on Hairspray

Introduction

The film hairspray brings to light the social segregation issues and conflicts based on race that African Americans living in Baltimore in the 1960s had to endure. According to the civil rights movement, the 1960s was a period when racism was at its peak in the American society (A Sociological Interpretation of the Film 'Hairspray', 2019). Scholars and historians also attribute the hatred and segregation that they faced to sociological factors such as prejudice rather than government policy. The film which was released in 2007, more than half a decade since it was written, still resonates with the conflict theory that seeks to elaborate the various inequalities that divide society and how conflict arises when the oppressed seek change. The film focuses on the main character, Tracy Turnblad, who turns out to be a great dancer in her favorite show, but she is discriminated against because she is considered overweight. This turned out to be very irritating for the boss of the show since Tracy was given the spot after it had stayed open for long. This essay describes the concept of segregation and social conflict and how it is applied in the movie Hair Spray.

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As the film begins, the concept of segregation based on race is depicted by the fact that Tracy is firstly not given the same opportunity to join the show because she is considered overweight. In addition to this, as most of the people associated with the show were white and believed they were superior to the black members of the community; a specific day is set for black dancers. Racism and segregation are evident in this scene as the people who ran the dance show not only name the day "negro day," but also appointed a black announcer to preside over the show. This shows how badly the white members of the Baltimore community wanted to segregate the black people.

The concept of conflict is depicted in the film in the scene where Tracy tries to speak up against the racism and segregation portrayed in the Corny Collins show. She befriends other black dancers who in turn describe their versions of racist treatment they had experienced in the show. Her desire to change the attitude of the management of the dance show is further amplified by the instance when she says that her first act as president would be to make every day "negro day." This leaves von tussle, Collins and other viewers in shock. Her outburst saw the management of the show cancel "Negro day" and reduced negative attitude and judgments on African American dancers on the show.

Another instance in the film Hair Spray that brings out the concept of racial prejudice and profiling is the case where penny Pingleton, who is Tracy's best friend, falls in love with a white boyfriend. Penny's mother is aggravated by the interracial relationship, and at one instance she punishes her severely by tethering her to her bed and hurls offensive insults to her. Additionally, this shows that the interracial conflict is not only one-sided but is fueled by the prejudices and judgments that exist between both blacks and whites.

The film hair spray has shown clearly applied the concept of segregation and social conflict to showcase how the American community in the Baltimore of the 1960s was divided along racial lines and how the attitude, prejudice, and judgments that existed between both black and white communities affected all members of the communities (A Sociological Interpretation of the Film 'Hairspray', 2019). The film has also shown that a single individual can influence change in society for the better.

References

A Sociological Interpretation of the Film 'Hairspray'. (2019). Retrieved 6 August 2019, from https://www.theodysseyonline.com/sociological-interpretation-of-hairspray

Hairspray {2007}-FulL.MovIE*-. (2019). Retrieved 6 August 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e09L5t-6Rg