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Racial Stereotypes between MOV and Modern Day US

On this page, you will find the comparsion between The Merchant of
Venice and modern day racial stereotypes. Click the video at the
bottom of the page to find out more about current racial issues.
Go to the Links page and access more website with
information by clicking the picture and read
about how it relates to stereotypes.

Introduction
Shakespeare’s sixteenth century racial stereotypes still exist in the United States today. Through The Merchant of Venice Shylock is stereotyped by his ethnicity. After having met Shylock, everyone assumes that all Jews are rude and cruel. When Jessica sneaks out of her father’s house people automatically assume she would be cruel like Shylock simply because of her Jewish heritage. They realize otherwise that she is a loving and caring person. The Prince of Morocco, in act two, draws our attention to similar prejudice, this time, connected to race. He says, “Mislike me not for my complexion” (Act II line 1). Morocco connects his judgments to people’s character, not their skin color. Morocco tells Portia not to categorize others just based on race.

In America’s past, racial intolerance has arisen in situations like Jim Crow segregation and slavery. Those problems were carried into modern day. The United States of America is called “the melting pot” for a reason. The racial diversity creates new cultures, competition, and problems. When anyone hears the words Jew, Asian, Black, Hispanic, or White an immediate stereotype comes to mind. Just by seeing an outside appearance people judge their moral value and personality. The racial stereotypes that people face everyday cause problems in the society.





L.A. Riots Video

This video is footage that expresses racial violence in the United States. In L.A., people are having African American vs. Latino problems. Innocent people are being shot everyday just because of the color of their skin. Gang members will just come to neighborhoods, bang on doors and shoot people at any moment. The reporters also bring in politics because of the current election with Obama and Clinton. African Americans will support Obama and likewise with Clinton. Race plays a big role in larger cities because people will do anything to protect their own. This video demonstrates that the United States has not yet conquered its own racial conflict.


Latest page update: made by anaik , May 20 2008, 6:33 PM EDT (about this update About This Update anaik Rename - anaik

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jhejl stuff 1 May 22 2008, 12:04 PM EDT by tmallue14
Thread started: May 21 2008, 11:56 AM EDT  Watch
I love the beautiful colors. It grabs my attention and is pleasant to the eye. The writing is fluid and easily connects racial intolerance to those of today and yesterday. Nice Job!
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hramsey54 Heather Ramsey 2 May 22 2008, 12:01 PM EDT by AndrewHofert
Thread started: May 21 2008, 11:49 AM EDT  Watch
this is really good. i like the integration between the world then and now. with the Prince of Morocco, you could also mention how he went against himself by choosing the gold casket because of its appearance
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