School of Racism

As a child, I loved the Jack Black comedy School of Rock. But while watching the movie again this weekend; I noticed very prominent racial tokenism taking place. The plot of the movie consists of a deadbeat musician, Jack Black, posing as a certified substitute teacher at an elite private elemantary school. They then proceed to form a rock band and perform in shows. While assigning each student's role in the band, he chooses very stereotypical positions for each race. Out of the three back-up singers, two are African-American girls with powerful voices. And out of the "groupies", all three are little, blonde-haired-blue eyed girls. In bands, groupies generally follow the band and have sexual relationships with the members, and are often identified as white.

Not only are these stereotypical placements, but it's also the director of the movie "playing it safe." They are avoiding controversy of having black girls appear remotely promiscuous by instead playing it safe with the stereotype that black girls are good singers. What is so scary about this scenario is that this is a movie with kids, for kids. This racial tokenism is encouraging children to develop subconscious racial stereotypes at a young age. Perhaps the best way to decrease racism in America is to stop it at its root, with our highly impressionable youth.