Essay #2: Unit #2 – Minorities in France
Films:
- Monsieur Ibrahim et les fleurs du Koran (US title: Mr. Ibrahim and the Flowers of the Koran)
- La haine (US title: Hate)
- Intouchables (US title: The Intouchables)
Choose at least 2 minority groups in France from the films and compare and contrast them/their situation with minority groups in the USA, particularly in Southern California. You must use at least 2 of the films as evidence in your essay. You must use specific examples from the films to support your claims. That means use character names, refer briefly to scenes, and use quotes from the films. Keep in mind that the term minority group is not limited to ethnicity or nationality. For example, you could also consider religious minorities, the disabled, a group based on socio-economic class, LGBTQ, etc.
Make a meaningful argument about what you have learned. In other words, why is this comparison important for you to make?
Guidelines:
- In this essay you will compare minority groups in Southern California with at least 2 French minority groups shown in the films. You will examine, explain and analyze elements of their situation in their respective countries. Do not tell the story. Do not include your opinion of the movie.
- This essay covers a rather broad topic, which means you have a lot of freedom regarding the subject and organization. Try to understand the spirit, or the goal of this assignment: Examine your local region and the minority groups that live there. Compare their situation with at least 2 of the French minority groups from the films in a meaningful and personal way.
- You must use specific examples from the films to support your claims. For example, make sure you use character names, very brief references to specific scenes, and perhaps even direct quotations of the characters.
- Double-spaced, 1 inch margins, Times New Roman 12-point font, MLA format
- Outside sources are optional. You may use the films and personal experience exclusively as your support.
- This does not include optional Works Cited page. Works Cited in MLA format if sources are used.
- File types accepted: .docx or .pdf only
If you would like some inspiration, read the following topics that previous students have used with varying degrees of success. DO NOT COPY THEM. They are provided as inspiration only.
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"In this cultural exploration, we will be looking at the Muslim and Black minority groups from France and Southern California, and the similar or different treatment or experience that they go through in each of their respective homes. As global citizens, we are responsible for being informed about other cultures so we can be more understanding, respectful, and receptive of one another."
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"Southern California, although regarded as a progressive melting pot, relates to Metropolitan France in that minorities face discrimination and continue to hold second class status. Arab, and Black Frenchmen as well as Arab and Black Americans face discrimination as members of ethnic groups at the bottom of the social strata in Eurocentric hegemonically-white societies. This racial stratification produces the depletion of intrinsic worth that creates a barrier to integration into mainstream society. The characters of both these films epitomize the negative consequences of society’s racism and its associated racial disparities."
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"In this essay, I will compare the immigrant and disabled populations’ experience in Southern California and in France. This comparison is important because society is better off when everyone has equal access to opportunity."
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Title: Stereotyping of Muslims and Blacks in French Culture and American Culture
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"Using the films [film a] and [film b] I will be diving into the differences, as well as similarities, of film and real life using minority groups to demonstrate the comparison.
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"[…] A woman can be considered as a minority in the workplace. Women in the workplace are often treated differently than[…] Nevertheless, this kind of discrimination doesn’t only happen in United States, it happens all around the world, even in France, known as a first world country. We see in the films… "