“Within Our Gates” Oscar Micheaux

Post 3 Name Institution Post 3 In the film, “Within Our Gates” Oscar Micheaux showcases his talent as both a social critic and a storyteller, in deeply exploring the atrocities committed against the blacks by racist white men. Racial discrimination remains his major concern as he focuses on the violence and sexual politics depicted by white supremacy. Micheaux reveals these cultural injustices in the final act after Sylvia’s return to the South. In an extended flashback, Alma clearly narrates the tragic history of her cousin, which makes Dr. Vivian to learn of Sylvia’s past. Through Sylvia’s haunting flashback of the death of her parents and the scenes of lynching and beating a black man to death, Micheaux succeeds in developing the theme of racial injustices in a way that is still powerful to many today. On the contrary, Griffith’s film, “The Birth of a Nation,” addresses the cultural concerns from a different perspective. The film labels the idea of mixing white and black races as the original sin. Therefore, Griffith demands that the only solution to the chaos was to return the freed black men to Africa. While Micheaux demands rights and equality for the black men, Griffith justifies their mistreatment and seeks to withdraw their rights. Micheaux takes a bold and frank approach in the presentation of race relations in America. His complex and diverse portrayal of African-American manhood allows for an honest depiction of character in the film as opposed to the biasness shown in Griffith “Birth of a nation.” In Micheaux’s film, Conrad Drebert and Dr. Vivian who are muscular, light-skinned, well-educated, paternalistic are portrayed as heroes. Through them, it can be observed that African...