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SỰ PHẢN ÁNH CỦA PHÂN BIỆT CHỦNG TỘC ĐỐI VỚI NGƯỜI
MỸ GỐC PHI TRONG PHIM SELMA

Yusrina Rahmatillah, Singgih Daru Kuncara, Khoa Vă n

họ c Anh Nasrullah, Khoa Khoa họ c Vă n hó a Đạ i họ c
Mulawarman
e-mail: yusrinayusrin@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
The purpose of this research is to find the level of racism that happened to African
American as seen in Selma movie. Further, the other purpose is to give the
reflection about the effect of the racism toward African-American people as
depicted in the movie. This research focused to examine the racism by using Jones’
and Day’s theory about the level of racism and on how the effect of racism itself.
Further, the researcher used qualitative-descriptive method and Mikos’ data
analysis for the movie. In this movie, the researcher finds the three levels of racism
have appeared. The racisms are institutionalized racism, personally mediated
racism and internalized racism. The first level which is institutionalized racism is
marked by the legitimize and systematic intimidation in voting booths. Further,
this racism gives positive and negative effect. Secondly, the personally mediated
racism also appeared and it is shown by the limitedness of public access, police
brutality and everyday avoidance towards black people. Thus, personally mediated
racism also gives positive and negative effect. The last level of racism which
appeared in this movie is internalized racism. This racism marked by the
acceptance of stigma from white people to black people. Additionally, this racism
only gives negative effect because it makes the victim of racism felt insecure,
unworthy, and disbelief towards themselves.

Key words: white people, black people, level of racism, effect of racism

ABSTRAK
Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menemukan tingkatan rasisme yang terjadi pada
Afrika Amerika dalam film Selma. Selain itu penelitian ini bertujuan untuk
memberikan gambaran akan dampak dari rasisme terhadap Afrika Amerika. Dalam
penelitian ini, peneliti fokus untuk menguji rasisme dengan menggunakan teori
tingkatan rasisme dari Jones dan Day serta fokus terhadap dampak dari rasisme itu
sendiri. Selanjutnya, peneliti menggunakan metode kualitatif-deskriptif dan analisis
data untuk film berdasarkan Mikos. Dalam film ini, peneliti menemukan terdapat
tiga tingkatan rasisme yang muncul. Rasisme yang muncul ialah, institutionalized
racism yang ditandai dengan adanya legitimasi dan intimidasi secara sistematis
dibilik

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pemilihan. Rasisme ini memberikan dampak positif dan negatif. Selain itu, personally
mediated racism juga muncul dalam film dan ditandai dengan keterbatasan akses,
kekejaman polisi dan pengasingan terhadap orang kulit hitam. Kemudian, rasisme
ini juga memberikan dampak positif serta negatif. Terakhir, tingkatan rasisme yang
muncul dalam film ini adalah internalized racism. Rasisme ini ditandai dengan
penerimaan stigma dari orang kulit putih terhadap orang kulit hitam. Rasisme ini
hanya memberikan dampak negatif karena tingkatan rasisme terakhir ini dapat
mempengaruhi cara berpikir korban. Sehingga korban merasa tidak aman, tidak
berharga, dan tidak percaya diri.

Kata kunci: kulit putih, kulit hitam, tingkatan rasisme, dampak rasisme

A. INTRODUCTION
Social discrepancy already becoming a problem around the world. Thus, the
social discrepancy also could exist in places that have social and cultural diversity.
Racism is one of the causes of the social discrepancies that exists and it is becomes
an urgent concern for a long time. This topic has happened in around the world,
likewise in the United States. In the United States, racism based on race mostly
appeared between white people and black people. According to Smedley (2017),
racism is “refers for the action, practice or belief that human is divided according
to their races. Further, there is a clausal link between inherited physical traits and
traits of personality which made some races were treated differentially because of
the superior sentiment to others.” The racism that appears between whites and
blacks, mostly due to the superior sentiment of white people towards black people
of African American. The feeling of superiority from white people towards black
people leads the act of discrimination, prejudice and stereotyping.
The increase of African American in the United States turned out brings the
disadvantage for black people itself. For example, in the middle of the twentieth
century, black people had to struggle against racism in many aspects. The
segregation between black and white people could be seen from the public
facilities used by each community. There are the signs that used to signify which
community could use it, such as a sign “colored” which belongs to black people and
in the other hand, a sign “white only” belongs to white people. The "colored" sign
could be found in public transportation, canteen, toilet, and even in a library.
Moreover, the discrimination which motivated by racism between white and black
people also appeared in the law sector. One discrepancy between white and black
people in the law sector is right to vote. Due to the unequal policy, the black people
had to fight for their rights even though many obstacles that must be through by
the community. Additionally, the experiences that have been through by black
people that already mentioned above also influenced the development of African
American literature. The existence of social discrepancy between white and black
people has been widely adopted into work. This is proved by a lot of novels, poetry,
and even

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movie that based on the historical event that reflected what happened to blacks,
how black people were treated and how the blacks fought for their rights. One of
the movies that are depicted the racism and racial discrimination against black
people is Selma which is directed by Ava DuVernay.
In addition, after watching the Selma movie, the researcher found some
interesting points which the director and screenwriter were trying to convey to the
viewer. By used the point of view from Dr. Martin Luther King and several black
people, the director tried to portray the racism which happened at that time.
Therefore, by using the theory level of racism by Jones and Day, the researcher
tried to find out the level of racism depicted in the movie. Besides, the researcher
also tried to find out the effect of racism itself, especially toward the victim, in this
case, is the black people.

B. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

In this section, the researcher uses some theories to support the analysis as
presented below:

1. Literature and Film

Literature and film are closely related to each other. According to Klarer,
literature is closely related to other media such as, painting, music, stage, film and
even computer network. Furthermore, Klarer also added “film is predetermined by
literary techniques; conversely, literary practice developed particular features
under the impact of film (57).” Therefore, it can be said that movie is also a part of
literature because nowadays literature it is not always about written and a film is
predestined by some literary techniques and it also prevails to literature itself.

2. African-American Criticism
African American literature influenced by the historical event that happens to
black American. As Tyson stated, “critics agree that African American literature has
focused on a number of recurring historical and sociological themes, all of which
reflect the politics of black American experience.”Thus, this criticism is also
focused on correcting the misinterpretation towards African American (385).
Moreover, this criticism also has its characteristic in order to create the sense of
continuity with the past. The characteristics that can be found in this criticism is
the characters includes local healer, religious leader and even the folk hero (Tyson
386).

3. Sociology and Literature

Sociology and literature are two different discipline but linked to each other.
According to Cragun, sociology is a discipline that “attempt to understand social
world by situating social events in their corresponding environment and trying to
understand social phenomenon by collecting and analyzing empirical data” (8).

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Further, sociology and literature literature are conceived of as a possible source of

knowledge about the social available to the sociologists (Longo 56). Based on the
statement above, it could be seen that literature has a correlative relationship with
sociology. Literature produces social phenomenon through oral or written and it is
could be useful as an understanding of human behavior and society through it.

4. Race and Racism

Race itself stands for different divisions of human mankind. According to
Montagu, "race traditionally referred to the "major biological divisions of
mankind," which are distinguished by the color of skin, color and texture of the
hair, bodily propositions, and other physical features" (qtd. in Walker et al, 9).
Based on the explanation above, it could be said that race is being categorized by
skin color. Thus, the differentiation of race, racism appears to the surface.
According to Smedley (2017) in article entitled Racism, “racism is any action,
practice, or belief that reflects the racial worldview. . . that there is a causal link
between inherited physical traits and traits of personality, intellect, morality, and
other cultural and behavioral features; and that some races are innately superior
to others.” Thus, racism or racialism is a belief, action or practice that discriminate
or dominate the other people by their race and think that is some races is better
(superior) and the other is inferior. The practice of racism brings the inequality
and discrimination based on race to the inferior, and its affects the society and
even the victim.

4.1 Level of Racism

a. Institutionalized Racism
The first level of racism is institutionalized racism, according to Jones, this
racism is “defined as differential access to the goods, services, and opportunities
of society by race. Institutionalized racism is normative, sometimes legalized,
and often manifests an inherited disadvantage” (1212). Furthermore, Day stated
in the article entitled Three level of Racism, "It’s different access to health care,
food, transportation etc. It can be seen in different laws that are implemented . . .
institutionalized racism is the most fundamental level of racism. Once the
structures are fixed, the other forms of racism can be cured over time.” The
institutionalized racism gives a disadvantage to the people because it treats
people differently.

b. Personally Mediated Racism

This racism defined as prejudice and discrimination. Jones stated, “personally
mediated racism can be intentional as well as unintentional and it includes acts
of omissions. It manifests as lack of respect (poor or no service, failure to
communicate options), suspicion (shopkeepers’ vigilance; everyday avoidance,
including street crossing, purse clutching, and standing when there are empty
seats on public transportation), devaluation (surprise at competence, stifling of

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aspirations), scapegoating (the Rosewood incident, 9, 10 the Charles Stuart

case,11–14 the Susan Smith case 15–18), and dehumanization (police brutality,
sterilization abuse, hate crimes)” (1213). Moreover, according to Day (2016),
“person mediated racism maintains structured barriers because it involved acts
of prejudice and discrimination. It’s making different assumptions about a
person’s abilities and motives based on their race.” As stated above, this racism
is defined as prejudice and discrimination

c. Internalized Racism
Internalized racism is the last level of racism, Jones stated that this racism is,
“defined as acceptance by members of the stigmatized races of negative
messages about their own abilities and intrinsic worth. It is characterized by
their not believing in others who look like them, and not believing in themself”
(1213). Therefore, Day stated, “internalized racism happens when the
stigmatized race believes what society has assumed about them, and they act
according to the stigma around them . . . Races accept the limitations placed on
them by others and do not believe in themselves.” Thus, this racism has
appeared between the people who stigmatized by negative messages and makes
them not believe in their own- self or the other people who look like them

4.2 Effect of Racism

4.2.1 Positive Effect
a. Motivation and Feeling of Responsibility
Racism not only affect social life but it also affecting the workplace. The
positive effect on the workplace is makes the people who suffer from the act of
racism and discrimination feel motivated and responsible to make sure that
the next generation did not have to suffer like they did in the past. As Wits
stated, “the racial discrimination forces the victim to carry the responsibilities
for benefits of the upcoming generation” (qtd. in Effects of Racial
Discrimination on Society).

b. Fight for Equal Right

Further, the next positive effect is they start to fight against racism and
promotes the equal rights. As Pettinger (n.d.) described “that raising voice
against racism would bring changes by implementing anti-racism thoughts in
society” (qtd. in. Effects of Racial Discrimination on Society). As Taylor (2016)
stated in Black Liberation and Building an Anti-Racist Social Movement,
“antiracist struggle also take place in black response to the social crises black
communities experience . . . These fights against racial inequality are critical,
both for improving the lives of African Americans and other racial and ethnic
minorities in the here-and-now; and for demonstrating to ordinary white
people the destructive impact of racism in the lives of nonwhite people.” This

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matter becoming the reason why the black people were trying to get their
rights. The aim in fight for their rights is to make the changes and to end the
discrimination that has been experienced by black people for a long time.

4.2.2 Negative Effect

a. Disfavor Society
As Williams stated, “racial discrimination stacks up the burdens of non-
dominant population of a country by creating 'stigma of inferiority which
affects health by restricting socioeconomic opportunities and mobility”(qtd. in.
Effects of Racial Discrimination on Society). Further, Alexander stated that
“African American have received the numerous unjust benefits from the
government, special laws, and affirmative action. (121)” Based on that, it can
be said that the racism is affecting the black people and its disfavor the society.

b. Violence
In addition, violence is also a part of negative effect from racism. The
differences of racial ethnic could lead to act of hate crimes which is violence.
As Fledmeyer stated “that racial and ethnic segregation contributes to the
elevated rates of homicide among both Latinos and African Americans and that
the effects for both groups are mediated by concentrated disadvantage” (qtd.
in The Impact of Racism and Violence on Communities 9).

c. Inferiority Complex
As Wits stated “the building up of inferiority complex results in conflicts where
it develops hate among different racial circles which limits the sharing of ideas
between colleagues of different races” (qtd. in Effects of Racial Discrimination
on Society) Further, the inferior complex is created by the stress and
experiences that has been through by the victim of racism. It is stated by Fuller
in her article The Other Side of Racism, “the trauma may result in experiencing
symptoms of depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, feelings of humiliation,
poor concentration, or irritability.”

C. METHOD
In this part, the researcher presents some method in order to accomplish the
research which is presented as following:
1. Research Design
This research included as qualitative descriptive research, because the analysis
is form of word which is describing, analyzing, and interpreting. As according to

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Hancock, et al said, "qualitative research is concerned with developing

explanations of social phenomena. That is to say, it aims to help us to understand
the social world in which we live and why things are the way they are” (7).
Moreover, Librero stated, “descriptive research is refers to systematic description
of a situation, a problem, phenomenon, service or program, or information about a
situation that living conditions in a particular community, or a description of
attitudes towards an issue”
(6). Therefore, in purpose to get more understanding, the researcher also used the
theory of movie or film analysis by Mikos. Mikos stated that analyzing the movie
becoming important in modernization society nowadays. He continued that if the
movie is also as the media of communication, which society communicate and
interact. As the media of communication, in order to analyze the movie it is should
be a systematic investigation of movie text, their conditions of productions and
receptions and last is the social context (409).

2. Data and Source of the Data

This part consists of primary data and secondary data. In the primary data, the
researcher used the movie entitled Selma which directed by Ava DuVernay and
released in 2014. The data is the event that depicted the racism and supported
with subtitle from the movie. To support the primary data, the researcher used the
secondary data which used racism as the focus of previous studies, the journal,
articles, essays by the expert that is supported and helped the researcher in order
to complete the analysis.

3. Data Collection
In order to compile the data, the researcher did some steps in data collection on
movie. The first step is done by watching the movie entitled Selma which is
directed by Ava DuVernay. Then, after watching the movie, the researcher took
some notes and gathered the data which included event that reflected the racism
and the effect in the movie. Next, the researcher re-watched the movie and took
some data that may have missed. The last step in data collection is, the researcher
did the re- checked the data.

4. Triangulation
Thus, in this thesis, the researcher uses theoretical triangulation which is theory
of Racism by Giddens and Smedley. This research also uses the theory level of
racism by Jones and Day and this research also uses the effect of racism based on
several experts.

5. Data Analysis

The data analysis used in this thesis is according to Mikos. Mikos stated that to
analyse the movie there are 14 steps that useful for the researcher (420-421), each
step explained are: (1) The development of a general cognitive purpose. In this
step,

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the researcher decided to analyse the racism towards African-American in a movie.

(2) After deciding the theme, the researcher decided to watch the movie that
reflected the racism as the main issue. (3) The next step is theoretical and
historical reflection. In this step the researcher read the theory and articles that
related to the level of racism and the effect of the racism itself. (4) Then, the next
step is the development of a concrete cognitive purpose. The purpose of this
research is to reveal the level of racism and to gives the reflection of the effect of
racism. (5) After that, the researcher developed of question and of this research. In
this research, the researcher formulates two research question which is what are
the level of racism as reflected in the movie and how the effect of the racism itself.
(6) Next is sampling of the material of analysis. However, the researcher did not do
sampling, because the researcher already deciding the material of the research
which is the movie, entitled Selma. (7) Then, in steps fixing of analytic tools the
researcher downloaded the movie entitled Selma. (8) The next step is collection of
data; the researcher collected the data. (9) Then, the next step is the description of
data material which is before starting the analysis the researcher should describe
the data material: the data is form as dialogue, action and narration that reflected
the racism and the effect in the movie. (10) Then, in step analysis of data: the
inventory of the film components. The researcher intensely looks at the movie
component and focus on film as a text. (11) The next step is interpretation and
contextualization of analysed data. The
researcher analysed the data by using the theoretical and historical insight. (12)
The next step is the evaluation I, which is the assessment of the analysis. In this
step the researcher assessed the analysis. (13) Evaluation II which is the
assessment of the result. The researcher made the conclusion of the findings in the
research. (14) Then, the last step is to present the analysis.

D. FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS

In this part, the researcher presents the findings and analysis of the data which is
the level of racism and the effect of racism towards African-American people in the
movie.

1. FINDINGS
1.1 Level of Racism
1.1.1 Internalized Racism
The first level of racism that appeared in this movie is institutionalized racism.
Institutionalized racism is indicated as the inequality for certain races to access the
goods, facilities and even opportunities. Moreover, this movie is about the social
discrepancy between white people and black people. This movie takes place in the
middle 20th century, which at that time the social inequality became an important
concern to black people. Due to social inequality, black people had limited access to

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voting rights. Related to the concern, black people demanded their right to vote.
The movie is focused on how black people threatened by white people and the law
at that time. In the movie, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is one of the activists who
demanded black people rights. As the activist who talked about the equal rights for
black people, King had an opportunity to meet President at that time.
President : So... I wanna help. Tell me how.
King : Well, Mr. President, I’m here to speak specifically about the
denial of basic American right for the Negro citizen. The right to vote.
President : Well, uh... technically...
King : Technically, we already have it. Yes, Mr. President. But, we both know
in the South, black voters are kept off the rolls and out of the voting booths
by systematic intimidation and fear,Mr.President. (00:10:22 – 00:11:26
/ Selma)
As the activist for black people, King had an opportunity and a chance to meet
President Johnson who led the United States at that time. King welcomed by
President Johnson and Mr. White; the adviser of President at that time. However,
the President already knew the purpose of King’s visit. Before talked about the
issue, the President praised King for what he had done and President also told King
how fortunate he was to has the activist like King in his tenure. The
institutionalized racism can be indicated by King’s dialogue. King was trying to
explain the concern that had already happened in the South towards black people.
As the fundamental level of racism, the institutionalized racism is restrained the
black people from getting the right to vote. Thus, it can be seen from King's "black
voters are kept off the rolls and out of the voting booths by systematic
intimidation and fear, Mr. President." The intimidation and fears haunted the
black voters. It happen because black voters right to vote was cumbered.
Therefore, King was demanding for black voters right, which he wanted to Negroes
right to vote is unencumbered. However, even after King’s explanation, the
President could not easily accept King’s order in consideration of the law which
could not easily to be changed.

1.1.2 Personally Mediated Racism

Besides institutionalized racism, this movie also reflected the personally
mediated racism which defined as discrimination and prejudice. Moreover, this
racism also could be indicated as the police dehumanization. The first personally
mediated racism that appears in this movie is when Annie Lee Cooper, a black
women character wants to apply registration to vote. Unfortunately, she had to
face to face with a white registration worker. As black woman, Annie had to pass
through complicated rules so that her application could be accepted by the
registration worker. However, the worker seems not to like with Annie's act. In the
event, the worker seems to belittle Annie and he even threatened Annie if he will
tell Annie's boss.
Man : Annie Lee Cooper!
Annie : (SIGHS)

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Man : Get up now, I ain’t got all day. You work for Mr. Dunn down at the
rest home ain’t that right?
Annie : Yes.
Man : Wonder what old Dunn’ll say when I tell him one of his gals is
down here stirring a fuss.
Annie : I ain’t here stirring no fuss. I’m just here trying to register to vote.
It’s all right this time.
Man : It’s right when I say it’s right. (00:06:41 – 00:07:28 / Selma)
The officer seems to lack of respect towards Annie. He even threatened Annie,
if he would tell Mr. Dunn, which is Annie’s boss. The lack of respect did not stop
there, it continued until Annie gave up. Even though Annie was telling him if she
just wants the acceptance of registration to vote, the officer asked Annie the
Constitution’s preamble and continued asking until Annie could not answer it, then
her registration got rejected by the officer. In this event, Annie hardly got the
acceptance from the officer. It seems that the officer was making everything
complicated for Annie. The personally mediated racism is indicated by the way the
officer talking to Annie. Besides that, the personally mediated racism could be seen
in the Officer’s dialogue, “Wonder what old Dunn’ll say when I tell him one of
his gals is down here stirring a fuss” and “It’s right when I say it’s right.” The
lack of respect and poor services become the indicator of this racism. Thus, this
racism is shown by the way the officer made everything complicated to Annie.

1.1.3 Internalized Racism

The last level of racism that appeared in this movie is internalized racism.
Internalized racism happens because the people who experienced the racism starts
to accept the negative stigma from the society. However, in this movie, the
internalized racism appears when the member of SCLC and SNCC held a meeting in
Selma. SNCC itself, based on History.com is “Student Non-Violent Coordinating
Committee is for give younger black people more voice in the civil right
movement.” Therefore, SCLC itself, based on National Park Service is “Southern
Christian Leadership Conference which became the advocate confrontation of
segregation through civil dissent.”
In this event, the member of SNCC, James and John were uncertain with the
SCLC’s purposes. As the community which also demanding for the equal right in
Selma, James was not really happy with the arrival of the SCLC in Selma. James was
doubtful towards SCLC, he afraid that the SCLC would not make any commitment
and him afraid that it will give advantage towards SCLC only, not Selma.
James : You want us to bring our people in, but you’re not giving anything
in return. Now, we are asking for some kind of commitment
here.
John : Respectfully speaking, of course, we’ve been handling the voter
registration in this town now for two years.
Hosea : Well, you haven’t gotten very far, have you?

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John : Well, may be not, Reverend. But we’re still here. (00:29:11-
00:29:28 / Selma)
Even though SCLC and SNCC was the community who had similar purposes,
these two groups could not blend easily. The suspicions towards each other could
be seen in this event. Each member of the community asked each achievement.
However, as the group who had grown up men, SCLC was one-step ahead
comparing to SNCC. The meeting room was fierce for a second; each member of
each group doubted each achievement. The room became quiet after King spoke
and persuade James and John about how the movement would proceed. The
internalized racism is identified by seeing how James react to SCLC members. It
could be seen that James was not believed to the other people, even though the
SCLC member is defending the same thing as the SNCC did. This matter is
strengthened by James's dialogue, "you want us to bring our people in, but
you’re not giving anything in return. Now, we are asking for some kind of
commitment here." The doubting from James toward SCLC has happened because
James was worried and he does not believe King.

1.2 Effects of Racism

1.2.1 Positive Effect
1.2.1.1 Fight for Equal Rights
It was when King delivered his speech in front of the Selma citizen. The limited
access to vote made King had to intervene and awaken the awareness of Selma’s
citizen to fight for their right. King and his colleagues chose Selma, which is the
perfect stage for their protest. The reason for choosing Selma was because the
voting right still becomes the main concern in the South.
King : For our lives. We can do this. We must do this! We see children
become victims of one of the most vicious crimes ever perpetrated
against humanity within the walls of their own church. They are
sainted now. They are the sainted ones in this quest for freedom. And
they speak to us still. They say to us, to all of us, all colors and
creeds, that we must do this. (00:26:30-00:27:14 / Selma)
By seeing from King’s dialogue above, the racism that had been experienced by
black people for a long time. In his speech, King encourages people of Selma to be
brave and fight for their own worth. Besides the voting thing, the murderous of
children in their own church also become a reason for King to awaken the people
of Selma. After suffering from social inequality, such as the segregation, boycotting
and voting rights, the black people starting to realize how important their voice
and right. However, after suffering from social inequality and racism, black people
started to aware of the importance of their right. The racism that experienced by
black people brings a positive effect. The positive effect is shown by King’s
dialogue and the audience’s act. By seeing King’s dialogue, the way he awakens the
awareness of people in Selma it could be seen that there is a desire to fight for
equal right to make their group better.

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1.2.2 Negative Effects

1.2.2.1 Disfavor the Society
Disfavor the society becomes the first negative effect of racism that is
appeared in the movie. This negative effect had happened because there was some
inequality in public access. The first effect that depicted in this movie is when
Annie as a black woman, tried to register for voting in Selma. However, things did
not go as planned. She had to pass the test made by the white officer, even if she
could answer it, she still could not pass and get rejected.
Man : Recite the Constitution's preamble. Know what a preamble is?
Annie : We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect
union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the
common defense, promote the general welfare...
Man : How many county judges in Alabama?
Annie : Sixty-seven.
Man : Name them (00:07:33-00:08:30 / Selma)
Annie could not register her vote even though she answered each question
from the officer. She could not register for vote even though it was right to apply a
registration to vote. In addition, the negative effect of racism was depicted in the
movie. The negative effect could be seen by the way the white officer treated
Annie. Even though Annie could answer his question, he did not accept the
application. The officer kept giving Annie the question until she cannot answer it.
Thus, because Annie could not answer the question, the officer rejected the
application. The rejection of application could be indicated as the social inequality
of black people. The limitations of the vote could disfavor the society and black
people itself.

1.2.2.2 Violence
In the movie, the violence act could be seen in several events. The first violence
act that appears in the movie is when King and his colleagues made a visit in a
hotel. However, the hotel is just for white people. So, King’s visit made white
people in the hotel shocked. However, the negative effect of racism could be seen
in this event, especially when King was inside and getting punched by a white man.
King : It’s okay. It’s okay. I’m okay.
Abernathy : This way, Dr. King
King : That white boy can hit. (00:15:34 – 00:16:01 / Selma)
Through this scene, the negative effect of racism could be seeing by the way
the white man act. The alibi of the white man was to introduce himself, but in the
end he punched King in face out of blue and without any reason. However, as the
leader of SCLC, King had to be wise and stay calm. Moreover, by seeing on how
King’s reaction there was the acceptance of the man’s behavior. The acceptance
could be seen by King’s reaction after getting punched by the white man, “That
white boy can hit.” Nonetheless, the violation or hate crimes toward black people
was not right and it could be indicated as the negative effect of racism.

1.2.2.3 Inferiority Complex

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In this movie, some of inferiority complex appear in some scenes. The first
inferiority complex that researcher found in this movie is indicated when King and
several black people imprisoned because for the accusation making fuss in front of
Selma Courthouse. Even though Abernathy was trying to comfort King, King still
felt guilty and insecure about his own race. The inferiority complex could seen in
the dialogue below:
King :Yeah, but what is the prize, friend? We fight to have a seat at
whatever table we want. How does it help a black man to be
able to eat at a lunch counter if he doesn’t earn enough to buy
burger? Or worse yet, can’t even ... can’t even read the menu
‘cause there was no Negro school where he’s from. What’s that?
That equality? (00:37:38 - 00:38:18 / Selma)
Based on King’s dialogue above, it could be seen that if King felt inferior with
his own race. He felt that the march will now work. Moreover, based on King’s
dialogue, unconsciously King was receiving the negative stigma from the society.
The distrust toward his own race, made King felt weak and had thought that the
march is vain.

2. DISCUSSIONS
Selma movie is directed by Ava DuVernay, succeeded to reflect the racism that
happened in the United States especially in the South in the middle twentieth
century. This movie is influenced by African-American literature, which is focused
on a number of recurring historical and sociological themes. Further, based on the
findings and analysis of the previous subchapter, the researcher found that the
three levels of racism are reflected in this movie. The racism is divided into three
levels, there are; institutionalized racism, personally mediated racism, and
internalized racism. Institutionalized racism becomes the first level of racism that
appears in the movie. This racism is marked by the legitimize of limitedness for
voting rights in Selma at that time. The negative effect of this racism is the
emergence in disfavor the society. Whereas the positive effect of is black people
started to fight for the equal right.
Moreover, personally mediated racism also appears in this movie. This second
level of racism is often conceived by the brutality of white police officers toward
the black protesters. Besides that, racism is also depicted as the hate crimes which
was thrown by white people to black people. The hate crime is in the form of daily
avoidance in public areas and the violent act to black people. As the feature of
personally mediated racism, the failure of communicating also appears in the
movie. Hereafter, this racism also brings negative and positive effects on black
people. In addition to the two levels of racism above, internalized racism is the
most prominent compared to the other racism above. Internalized racism only
gives the negative effect on the people who experienced it, especially black people.
Besides, the researcher also found out that the one positive effect of racism which
is awaken the motivation and responsibility in certain place such as workplace did
not appear in the movie. It is because overall the setting of place in the movie was
taken in society and it potrays the racism in society, not the working place.

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E. CONCLUSIONS
After analyzing the data, the researcher finds there are three levels of racism
that appears in the movie. Three levels of racism are; the levels are
institutionalized racism, personally mediated racism, and internalized racism. Each
level of racism, which appears in the movie has affected the black people in the
movie. The personally mediated racism and institutionalized racism caused
positive and negative effect while internalized racism only gives negative effects.

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