Class, Race, & Gender: Analysis of \
Many issues regarding class, race, and gender in corporate America are brought to the forefront in The Associate. The issue in this movie is that Whoopi's character, Laurel is one who doesn't get treated fairly because she is not in the elite class of the top-level executives, she is black, and a woman. She has the brains and the ideas, but still can't get ahead because of the stigma behind these labels. Out of desperation of hitting the corporate glass ceiling, she creates Robert Cutty, presumably rich, white, and male - the key to success in corporate America. The issue of class is an interesting one. Often class is not looked upon as an idea independent from race and/or gender. The American upper class would like to view America as a classless country affording every member of society with equal opportunity for economic gain and success. In order to perpetuate this ideal of a classless society, the poor are therefore racialized and/or femininized. Race and gender are used to divert attention away from issues of class inequality. The members of these categories are then defined by stereotyping labels of "lazy", "unfit", "sexually promiscuous", and "uneducated" which prevent their success in society. However, class e
It implied that it was out of the ordinary to be a renowned black actress and one was assumed to be white if no race reference preceded the accolade. He also appeared to be in a tuxedo-like suit - the image reminiscent of the black characters of early Minstrel shows and films viewed in class where blacks were only well-dressed and slightly well-mannered when serving and in the presence of their white superiors. As a twist, once Frank falls from his throne of achievement, he is presented on the other side of Sally's desk promoting himself in order to obtain a job. He is adorned in white gloves as well. Laurel's creation of Cutty further establishes the discrimination within corporate America by reversing the blackface images of early cinema. Classes exist in relation to one another in ways that are often oppositional, i. Just as the men were shown as participating in sexist banter and activities, Laurel exhibited the chauvinistic conditioning of the corporate world. There was nothing buffoon-like once Laurel was in costume as Cutty. The imagery of Frank on the subservient side of the desk as opposed to the early images of him on the authoritarian side is an extraordinary play on the shift in power. The Associate brought to the forefront controversial issues of class, race, and gender in the workplace. Not only do the men perpetuate the ideal that women are inferior to the corporate executives, but Laurel becomes unconsciously conditioned into this type of thinking. In another scene, Frank asserts that Laurel is pre-menstrual when she confronts him about the promotion he receives over her. The common misconception here is that, albeit Laurel has worked hard to get into the position that she is in, her racial identity provided the extra step in getting there. The reference to a woman as an Amazon sends a message that women remain to be primitive in comparison to men. The other female executive confirms this notion by stating to Laurel she wishes to get breast implants to aid in her climb to success.
Common topics in this essay:
Cutty Laurel,
Brick House,
Robert Cutty,
America Independent,
Peabody Club,
Manchester Sally,
Spike Lee,
Minstrel Bamboozled,
Louise Beavers,
Finally Sally,
corporate america,
race gender,
cutty laurel,
top-level executives,
white gloves,
service-oriented positions,
class race gender,
racial identity,
peabody club,
white male,
upper class,
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Acceptance Essays
