On Prejudice Essay Example for Free

On Prejudice EssayThe word bigot is a forceful word. It is a word that patchy expression to be of the utmost offense, and yet, by definition, it is a somebody obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices. With this in mind, and human natures impeccable qualification to draw stereotypes for every type of person, cant we all be considered bigots? In Bill Cosbys short satire, On Prejudice, this issue is concisely communicate and brought to its knees through his use of sarcasm, and an faculty to corner any stereotype by just simply bringing it to a clear, succinct truth. While many balked at the idea of racial prejudice and stereotypes during the mid-seventies, Cosby approached it with cartwheel and candor. His use of vulgar words, diffident body language, belittling t angiotensin-converting enzyme, and biting disparagement allowed Cosby to efficaciously show societys lack of understanding and appreciation for the worlds racial diversity. In a time when prejudice was first gear to cower in the shadows as a product of the civil rights movement, Cosby recognized that age law had debar discrimination, it still very much existed in our culture and society.On Prejudice was his way of addressing this delicate issue. The 1970s followed a decade of success among the civil rights movement however, this success caused many to withdraw from still recognizing it as a problem. While discrimination was pronounced unlawful, Cosby addressed a different kind of prejudice A prejudice that was subconscious and mendacious. On Prejudice opens with a wide shot of Cosby sitting on a stool beneath a virtuoso spotlight. The music is a single violin, playing a single chord.Cosby is smoking a cigar and slouched over the stool. The use of lighting and music is very effective in that it rattling adds to the solitude of Cosbys ridicule. It is a keen way that he uses to single out prejudice, and it is very effective in that it perishs a mind that bigotry is a lonely place to be. His body language and subtle movements give the auditory modality a sense of distance and that the person they are watching is very closed off. Cosby and so begins to speak. At first notice he employs a intuitive feelinging of simple impersonation and innocent humor.However, later listening, one begins to realize that his impersonation goes much deeper. Secondary thoughts begin to surface and innocent humor turns into acid ridicule and mockery. He speaks on old people, children, Jews, Irish, African Americans (which he refers to as niggers), and Italians. Each group is addressed as the scum of the earth. He takes stereotypes and prejudices and gives them a voice. His phrases and word usage withstand a bold honesty to them. He consistently speaks of making groups just go away. But he abstains from his harsh comments by restate that they would not have to leave by blood shed. This effectively adds to the arrogance of his character and truly reveals the power of satire. Another action he consistently refers to is spitting on certain groups. He sets up wherefore he dislikes each group. Then, whether it is the drunken Irish, Italian criminals, or slow old people, he then follows with stating that if he were to see these groups he would just spit on them. This is reintroduced over and over again to remind the audience that they are dealing with an obnoxious person.This technique also reinforces the arrogance of his character in that it shows that he lacks the leave alone to come up with intelligent solutions or justification for his actions. With these in mind, Cosbys most effective technique is his ability to grab the audiences attention through satirical disdain. Cosby makes it incredibly easy to fall into a trap where one can be lured into relating to his judgments and stereotypes. He makes his audience laugh and connect with his opinions. But just when the audience begins to feel comfortable, Cosby reveals that he is a bigot. This sense of comfort and correlation quickly turns to scorn. He reveals how shameful it is to stereotype. All while staying in character and reinforcing the arrogance of society. He makes his audience feel as if they were no purify than the man whose solution is to just get rid of ? em. He makes his audience feel that they are no better than a man whos so hateful that he would spit on other people. It is an ultimate sense of embarrassment. Putting these techniques to use gives one a sense of truth and yet shame at the same(p) time.By addressing the most common forms of stereotypes and racial discrimination, He allows his audience to stop and not only job on how wrong it is to racially profile, but to also allow his audience to consider the judgments they themselves may have passed on certain groups prior. Cosbys impersonation ultimately embodies that of social unjust as a whole. Because of his honest and overbold characterization, he allows for no gray areas of disc ussion. His parody of a bigot properly makes each and every person feel like a bigot.