I would say that if this movie was the only thing you knew about American culture before you came here you would be pleased when you arived. This was an image of one man, and I do not doubt that there are men that share some of his views, more than likeley older men. It would be rare to here some one call someone fish face, and that is why this movie was popular. Americans find these comments funny due to the inappropriate nature of them.
Walt's way of speaking and thinking not only does not represent America's views as a whole, but it is also a view more common to older white Americans who were raised during less diverse times in America when some races were discriminated against. His experience in the Korean war also plays a large part in his racism and treatment of foreigners.
There is a very small percentage of Americans that would act and communicate in the way Walt does in this movie. Some people find it hard to adjust to a changing environment. In the case with Walt, he could of left the neighborhood like the rest of the other white Americans did, but refused. This left him in an environment that was changing very rapidly in a negative way. Because of what he saw around him he became disgusted with other cultures in the area. Not all areas in America are like this, but it is common for areas with very high poverty levels to be similar to Gran Torino
Sadly i have seen foreigners treated this way in the United States of America. I think it has been an ongoing issue since the creation of this country. I see more so now this issue since the terrorist attack on the world trade centers. I personally will never treat any one different because i know that we are all created in God's image and equal in His mind! I think it is ironic though because in today's day and age we are a mix, genetically, of all backgrounds.
I feel this attitude becomes less common with each generation. And from my experiences, it is ALMOST nonexistent in my generation. It is also important to remember that America is a big place and not every region behaves the same way.
I also think that of the few people who feel the way Walt did toward foreigners, even less of them would be bold enough to make racial comments right to their faces as Walt did.
This blog is for students at the American University in Dubai (U.A.E.) and Kettering University (Flint, Michigan, U.S.A.) to discuss the film Gran Torino and related subjects.
I would say that if this movie was the only thing you knew about American culture before you came here you would be pleased when you arived. This was an image of one man, and I do not doubt that there are men that share some of his views, more than likeley older men. It would be rare to here some one call someone fish face, and that is why this movie was popular. Americans find these comments funny due to the inappropriate nature of them.
ReplyDeleteI think so too. This is very an aspect of person. I worried a lot before I came here but I found America is just peaceful, beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWalt's way of speaking and thinking not only does not represent America's views as a whole, but it is also a view more common to older white Americans who were raised during less diverse times in America when some races were discriminated against. His experience in the Korean war also plays a large part in his racism and treatment of foreigners.
ReplyDeleteThere is a very small percentage of Americans that would act and communicate in the way Walt does in this movie. Some people find it hard to adjust to a changing environment. In the case with Walt, he could of left the neighborhood like the rest of the other white Americans did, but refused. This left him in an environment that was changing very rapidly in a negative way. Because of what he saw around him he became disgusted with other cultures in the area. Not all areas in America are like this, but it is common for areas with very high poverty levels to be similar to Gran Torino
ReplyDeleteSadly i have seen foreigners treated this way in the United States of America. I think it has been an ongoing issue since the creation of this country. I see more so now this issue since the terrorist attack on the world trade centers. I personally will never treat any one different because i know that we are all created in God's image and equal in His mind! I think it is ironic though because in today's day and age we are a mix, genetically, of all backgrounds.
ReplyDeleteI feel this attitude becomes less common with each generation. And from my experiences, it is ALMOST nonexistent in my generation. It is also important to remember that America is a big place and not every region behaves the same way.
ReplyDeleteI also think that of the few people who feel the way Walt did toward foreigners, even less of them would be bold enough to make racial comments right to their faces as Walt did.