UNIJERPS Unizik Journal of Educational Research and Policy Studies VOL.2; January-June, 2021 2021 Impact Factor: 5.641; 2020 Impact Factor: 5.355

UNIJERPS Unizik Journal of Educational Research and Policy Studies VOL.2; https://unijerps.org January-June, 2021 2021 Impact Factor: 5.641; 2020 Impact Factor: 5.355. January-June, 2021 Indexing and Impact Factor URL: http://sjifactor.com/passport.php?id=21363

RACISM, ETHNIC DISCRIMINATION AND THE ROLE OF FILM IN NIGERIA: AN ANALYSIS OF RICK FAMUYIWA’S OUR FAMILY WEDDING

Dr. Chukwudi Michael Okoye Department of Theatre & Film Studies Faculty of Arts Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka

ABSTRACT The Maelstrom of events confronting the human condition in the guise of Racism and Ethnic discrimination is one that has continued to pose clear and present danger to human existence. Indeed, veritable howbeit lone voices have continued to cry out for a reassessment, repositioning and re-direction of the human specie towards the course of Global peace and cohabitation. Film as one of such voices, presents as a veritable tool in the fight against social injustice occasioned by random and unbridled acts of racist and ethnic discrimination within and outside Nigeria. This paper finds that discussions in this area should be intensified more than ever before as global trends have continued to find new ways of muffling the voices of the large populace greatly affected by Race related crimes and recommends that well scripted and directed stories as presented through films possess great potential as far reaching agents in quelling some of these agitations. The paper recommends that films such as Rick Famuyiwa’s Our Family Wedding should be given broader spectra to flourish and thus keep the discussion alive in the hope that our children will live in a better and safer world. The researcher employed the qualitative research method. This is further expressed though the analysis of texts, online journals, handbooks and films for proper and objective content review, analysis and appreciation.

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Introduction Racist related themes have continued to its most liberal connotation, it would provide robust working material in the seem that a major trait of this term ‘make believe’ world from pre-mordial describes deliberate acts of bias from times through the colonial and post- one group to subdue and achieve a sense colonial eras. From the revolutionary of inferiority from smaller groups. It guerilla performances of Ronnie G. could also be referred to as the systemic Davis, founder of the San Francisco acts of a racial group due to the idea that mime Theatre troupe in 1962, whose some groups are inherently inferior to productions portrayed a brazen affront others. Scholars have also dissected this against the government of the day’s term into forms and types for broader effort to stifle free speech, civil rights, understanding. Nadra K. Nittle observes freedom of the Arts and other such that movements, to the Apartheid-driven Racial bias and discrimination stories of South Africa which replicated come in a variety of forms. Racism the very harsh conditions of the for example may refer to indigenous black people in their struggle internalized racism, reverse racism, against segregation. With the rising subtle racism and more. Racial appeal of film and cinema in the 21st profiling targets certain groups century, film makers have also not based on the notion that some wavered in tapping into racist themes in groups are more likely to commit a bid to throw light on this throbbing crimes than others. Racial global issue. The use of film, thus as stereotypes are generalizations series of events and a set of moving about members of racial groups images woven together and recorded by prejudiced people often use to camera, comes to the fore as an justify excluding minority groups important channel through which issues from housing educational and such as Racism and Ethnic employment opportunities (2). discrimination are projected to the outside world. The above assertion seems to give Racism as a singular term has been credence to the fact that racist and ethnic given various definitions to suit general discrimination is an offshoot of societal and particular assumptions. However, in institutions and human structures in a bid

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UNIJERPS Unizik Journal of Educational Research and Policy Studies VOL.2; https://unijerps.org 2021 Impact Factor: 5.641; 2020 Impact Factor: 5.355. January-June, 2021 Indexing and Impact Factor URL: http://sjifactor.com/passport.php?id=21363 to tilt the balance of equality for and generalizations made about other groups against groups that have been perceived or individuals and thus allows for these to be different and should be treated as acts of racial stereotypes to lead into such. On the history of the prejudice Institutionalized Racism. against people of colour for instance, Ronald E. Hall opines that Cultural Imperialism and the Film Medium For people of colour e.g. African, The dominance of one country or society Asian, Latino and Native over another in a bid to impress upon it, American descent in western it’s political, cultural, educational and countries, the most important socio-economic values is not a new attributes of their social system phenomenon in global discussions. are the ideals which they Indeed, as it relates to the theory of internalize. Those ideals that cultural imperialism and as Okhakhu and reach the level of Ate put it, “The aim and conduct of most institutionalization become and western nations’ business with those of affect standards of personal the third world is predicated on this kind consequence. In conjunction, of relationship” (12). The role thus, of internalized ideals and societal the media in the scheme of things institutions are the principal especially as it concerns throbbing vehicles in the manifestation of global issues cannot be over emphasized. racism in the 21st century. Racism Some scholars have even proposed that caused by internalized ideals and the Cultural Imperialist Theory is social institutions can be actually a Media Imperialist Theory due essentially one and the same in to the efficacy and indeed the unique the absence of equal distribution quality which the media possesses in of power, which the people of galvanizing social awareness and colour do not have. (25) responses on given issues as they affect the society. Marcel Okhakhu and Ate It appears that there lies a thriving Asan Andrew further assert that parasitic relationship between racial Cultural imperialism is no doubt prejudice and racial stereotypes. given accentuation by the media. Individuals who engage in acts of racial Manufactured and pressured values prejudice and bias feed off are often disseminated through the

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media and given their ability to In Africa, the notion is not different. The arrest attention, efficacy is usually role of the media in accelerating change high (13). in lifestyle especially among the youth is quite unprecedented. Babafemi Jacobs The media through its various genres avers that: and outlets has continued to play a The role of the media in changing pivotal role in societal perception and the lifestyle of Africans from their behaviour. Indeed, with each ethnic lifestyle to a western breakthrough in technological lifestyle cannot be over advancement, product presentation and emphasized. Many Africans due advertisement appeal, the average to their access and exposure to a individual appears to lose more growing number of media and confidence in his own opinions and technological equipments have decisions and inadvertently trusts the gradually changed from a pure media on a wide range of issues African culture to that of a mixed especially as it concerns his cultural, culture that leans towards the societal and even religious beliefs. As western culture (25). the theory of Media Imperialism advocates, this show of dominance by Film Language and the Question of one country or society over another may Social Redirection be presented through a systemic and The film media possesses unique deliberate attempt to infuse not just qualities in the vanguard against anti- concepts or products of that country but social vices such as Racism and Ethnic to also infuse along with them, the discrimination. As a re-enactment of cultural history behind these products in possible true life situations and events; the societies they supposedly have artistically woven from story to script, advantage over. embodied by characters and seen The Media thus presents as a readily through the lens of a camera, each frame available option for consumers who consciously or unconsciously is geared yearn to keep up with new ways of doing towards creating the needed impulse, things. We learn how people in other appealing to the human sensibility and parts of the world speak, dress, eat, probably changing hitherto held marry and even worship because of the perceptions. window created for us by media outlets.

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One of the distinct features of the film comedy or Drama; the psychological medium is that of language or style. attachment as well as the viewing Language in this context describes the involvement required from the target style of writing, the use of certain audience would probably be different. It registers and the overhanging mood further implies that there must also be a which the filmmaker engages in driving well laid attempt to understand the home certain aspects of his own take or political, social and in some cases, the view on an issue or a range of issues and religious makeup of the intended consequently getting the desired audience. The Director must skillfully response from his audience. Thomas fuse in the Thematic, Artistic and Caldwell opines that: Technological aspects of the film project Understanding a film’s style is in order to truly engage his audience on an essential part of film the discourse of the moment. analysis. As cinema is a visual Aniukwuet'al, viewing this more as a art form, we must be able to professional imperative, state that understand why filmmakers A good movie should be able to choose to have their films look a leave an indelible mark in one’s particular way. Just as a writer memory and this can only be or a poet uses certain words or achieved or made possible with styles of writing to move us different artistic embellishment emotionally or challenge us to inherent in the movie. think in a specific way, Professionals must put all the filmmakers use visual elements aspects of movie productions into to evoke ideas or to elicit an cognizance (171). emotional response from the audience (7). RiekFamuyiwa’s Our Family Wedding. A film’s language or style is a powerful The film is a Comedy drama that tells of tool in filmmaking as it lends certain two young people who fall in love and level of credence to the genre-choice hope to get married. However, the fear adapted by the film Director. It is quite of what their parents would think of this unlikely therefore that a fast paced union because of their different racial Science-fiction film project would have persuasions, keep them on edge for the the same language as a Romantic better part of the film. Marcus, a young

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African-American Medical graduate relationships. He also makes use of falls in love with Lucia, a Mexican underlining meanings in the choice of American teaching assistant. They think the dialogue of his characters to drive the world of each other but are downcast home salient points. For example, at the possibility of their parent’s having been introduced to his would-be disapproval of the inter-racial union. son-in-law, Miguel strives Brad and Miguel, Marcus' and unsuccessfully to subdue his displeasure. Lucia’s fathers expectedly display utter While excusing himself to go to the disapproval for the union, each trying to restroom. He cynically says sway their children off the idea of a “I would be right black!” instead of “I possible marriage. However, after a would be right back!". roller coaster ride of family feuds, On the other side of the divide, while religious debates and episodes of self- having a father and son moment, the reflection, love conquers all and both following dialogue ensues between Brad families unite and give their support to and Marcus. what eventually becomes a super Brad: You don’t really know what wedding. she is like. You saw her dad. You saw her family! Rick Famuyiwa extensively explores the Marcus: Are you just troubled because issue of racial discrimination in his film. she is not black? He makes an attempt to blend the comic Brad: All am saying is that you don’t genre into the very serious theme of know the deal until you say I Racism quite successfully. As an African do. And that ring on your American himself from Nigerian finger, that’s about the descent, Famuyiwa tells the story of how realness. I want to make sure Race still plays a part in human co- you’re doing it at the right time existence of the 21st century. He does and not rushing things. this through a good understanding of Marcus: love can’t tell time. I gotta go. generalized perceptions of racial groups and their application in modern

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Famuyiwa also explores the theme of weaknesses and should not discriminate human frailty through the characters of other groups based on generalized his film. He does this by a systemic perceptions of colour, religion and so on. infusion of episodes of weakness and Famuyiwa tries to weave these issues insecurity as exhibited even by the within almost every dialogue in the film. seemingly strongest and most upright of In a father and daughter discussion individuals in the film. The character of between Miguel and Lucia, the Marcus' dad, Brad is brought to question following ensues: a lot of times. As a habitual womanizer Miguel: You know when you were a and divorcee, Brad single handedly little girl, I would rock you to raises Marcus but lacks the moral sleep, I would dream about the grounds to mentor his son as it concerns day you would get married. relationship with women. Miguel on the What it would be like, what he other hand exhibits high level of would be like. This is not just detachment from intimate family life; how I dreamt it would be. always focused on his job and this Lucia: Well it’s not your dream saddens his wife, Sonia. anymore dad. It’s mine and With this artistic approach, when I look at Marcus, I don’t Famuyiwa addresses the issue of racial see brown or black or white, superiority or dominance. In his view isn’t that how you raised me? every race has their flaws and

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As the film progresses, we observe that marriages. Lucia and Marcus almost the pressure being mounted by both succumb to the pressure as seen in the families begin to take hold on the couple. film and this leads to a temporary Famuyiwa thus, explores how loyalty to suspension of the wedding plans. family as well as our traditional and However true love proves too strong and cultural bonds could play a crucial role in eventually conquers all. interracial relationships and even

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True love conquers all

Conclusion It is however deducible that such Film is a veritable tool and has the behavioral pattern is very capable of potential of evoking social responses on inducing social unrest and even issues that affect mankind. It’s unique promoting National instability. Sunny quality perhaps lies in not just the Ikhioya asserts that medium and consequent far reach but Racism and Ethnicism serve the also in its ability to simulate a present same purpose; that of bias in sense of reality and thus evoke needed favour of their kind. The only responses on throbbing issues. Racism difference is that racism is more and Discrimination falls under a associated with colour i.e. white, category that is in dire need of global black and so on; ethnicism deals attention and action. The film art must with ethnic and cultural roots. thus come into play to forestall a Ideally one would not be writing possible breakdown of global order and about racism in Nigeria but a disdain for the respect of the dignity of personal experience a few years mankind. Many may argue that Racism back in Port Harcourt makes this in its true form may not be particularly imperative (1). traced to African climes such as Nigeria. UNIJERPS Unizik Journal of Educational Research and Policy Studies VOL.2; https://unijerps.org January-June, 2021 122

The researcher thus recommends that believability and awaken the need for more attention should be given to this communal action. Professionalism area as the trend of world politics should be at its peak especially in the appears to be heavily bedeviled with exploration of films with racist themes. racist issues. Filmmakers must make Technical and Artistic elements must be their voices heard through cinematic brought together through convincing depictions that should evoke reactions acting and directing to qualitative post and keep the discussions alive. There is filming embellishments to ensure that also need for proper analysis of thematic the filmmaker's work stands the test of content as this would ensure accuracy of time. story material as well as promote

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Whitaker, America Ferrera, Filmography Carlos Mencia and Lance Gross. Our Family Wedding.Dir. Rick Fox searchlight pictures. 2010. Famuyiwa.Perf. Forest

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