Both “Ethnic Notions” as well as “Birth of a Nation”, clearly show racism. Both films portray blacks as white Americans. The Ku Klux Klan hated all African Americans in the film Birth of a Nation, while the movie “Ethnic Notions”, a history of some common terms for blacks, showed their hatred. The terms include “Mammy”, the “Coon”, the Tom, and others. The producers created such characters like the “Coon” to entertain others. He is shown to be a complete fool who acts like an idiot. He had his hair up and was totally harmless to everyone.
“Ethnic Notions” takes you through American history, from the 1820s to today. This film is powerful because it has songs, artifacts and can be viewed as well as the films. This film explains some terms used to describe African Americans. The terms “Mammy”, “Coon”, “Sambo” and “Mammy” were used to refer to African Americans well into the 20th century. All whites are viewed as heroes in “Birth of a Nation”. The African Americans performed and danced for their masters. This film is about the evolution of Ku Klux Klan. The law which required whites to honor black officers on the streets made interracial marriages possible between blacks. The blacks were defeated by a group consisting of white-clad men wearing white hoods and sheets. The hooded, white men were regarded as the protectors of white women, honor, glory, and the victory over the blacks. They were praised for restoring order and white supremacy. This is the origin of the title “Birth of a Nation” and the birth of Ku Klux Klan.
These films both misrepresent African Americans in many ways. In “Birth of a Nation”, the “Mammy,” a black actress plays “blackface”. Films portray the “Mammy”, a servant, who is stereotypically dark-set and heavy-set. She was focused on her master’s or mistress’s needs. “Mammy”, as she was known, was loyal and protective of her white household. She was a powerful woman who became a stabilizing figure in the south. While the “Mammy”, a very similar “Coon”, it is clear that the “Mammy,” however, is completely independent and is asexual. The “Ethnic Notions”, “Ethnic Notions” featured the “Mammy”, “Coon”, and “Coon” as funny and entertaining characters. These stereotypes make African Americans appear inferior and subordinate.
