Lesson 5 - Mississippi Burning

In contrast to the comedy and laughter we experienced last week, Mississippi Burning (1988) left us with nothing but heavy hearts, coupled with a tinge of anger and longing to see justice served.

 

Above: Mississippi Burning, starring Gene Hackman and Willem Dafoe

This was a social consciousness film, which takes place in rural Jessup County Mississippi. The main story revolves around a murder investigation of three civil rights workers. Agents Alan Ward (Willem Dafoe) and Rupert Anderson (Gene Hackman) are on the case. Dealing with the major problem of the persecution of blacks by the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) proves to be a tough job, not only in the physical and logistics sense, but also in the "management" sense. Agent Ward and agent Anderson both have their unique ways of approaching the situation. Throughout the movie, we see how the method they used for the investigation evolves from Agent Ward's young-investigator-"by-the-book" method, to Agent Anderson's more....experienced-investigator-unorthodox methods.


The psychology of racism was actually the main issue that lingered in our minds (I think) throughout the show. What makes people racist? Why are they so racist? Where does racism stem from? We are not born with it, nor does it correspond with genetic instinct. That would be ridiculous! According to the social learning theory, we find the suggestion that racism is something that is taught, something that is caught throughout observational learning in life. After being brainwashed by those around you, it is not easy to shake off racist thoughts and beliefs. Though one may not be consciously aware of it, implicit attitudes may be present and if steered in the wrong direction, it could potentially translate into actions that bring about dire consequences.     

Above: Ku Klux Klan 

Above: Burning of a cross by the KKK

I think this movie exposed us to, or rather gave us a picture of what the KKK actually was back then. It brought about social psychology concepts to mind such as deindividuation, in which the individual identity of a person is lost due to that person acting in a large group, especially when the person is unknown. The pointy "pillow-case" masks that the KKK wore hid their identity well, so much so the members could act violently without giving much thought to how they were hurting the blacks - even to the point of death.

The concept of there being strength in numbers and concepts of bullying were also frequent themes in this movie. It showed how throughout some time, the bullied stop trying to save themselves, a concept called learned helplessness. The black adults were so afraid of the KKK they would not even speak to the investigators about what was going on. It took a child to dare to speak up! A courage that no other had. But then again, is it courage when you do something not knowing the gravity of the issue? Hmm..

Another social psychology issue that was brought up was the realistic group conflict theory. In the movie, Agent Anderson tells a story about his father, and how he poisoned the black neighbour's mule to death. Told in the context of poverty, it reflected on how the circumstances surrounding a man drove him to anger, probably for not being able to provide for his family. This anger needed to be channeled somewhere. Where else would he direct it to,  but to his black neighbour, who not only is perceived as the "lower" race, but also has more than him monetarily! When there is not enough resources, coupled with jealousy and insecurity, competition becomes more apparent, and human instinct starts to kick in to the point of no control.  

Above: left: Agent Anderson, 

right: Agent Ward, who is younger 

but spear-heading the case

This movie also brought about the whole issue of how to deal with terrorists. Does the end really justify the means? How do you catch the criminals, do they have rights? Would you follow what agent Ward had to offer, sound, by-the-book work or agent Anderson's way of doing it, informal and unorthodox?


All in all, I was not very inspired by this movie, it just left me with a lot of sadness and the reinforced stance that...

 

=) 

For more info: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095647/
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmAqrMtB-Qg