I wrote the following as a Sociology Essay. I was given positive feedback and feel like readers of the odyssey would enjoy it was well. To recive the full impact the article, you'll need to know what the Sociological Imagination is. Sociological Imagination is mind set that allows you to connect the micros and macros of our society; to let you see the see the big picture and the small details of society. Using this, we can see how society affects individuals but in turn how individuals affects society.

On August 18, 2016, it was released that Zendaya, an African American singer, dancer, and actress would star as Mary Jane in the new Spider-Man movie that will be coming out next summer. Zendaya has always been portrayed as a white girl with bright red hair. Marvel kept the red hair but, obviously, decided to take a spin on it. Most fans of Zendaya and fans of Marvel (including me who is a fan of both) support this decision. However, there is always a party pooper.

There are people that are angry at the fact that a black girl is playing the love interest in Spider-Man when she has always been portrayed as white. No one on this side has addressed the elephant in the room that has the R word written across its side. Instead, they have just tried to justify their anger by claiming that Marvel should stick to the comic books. These people are playing directly into the oppression of black people that still exists today by failing to realize that these comic books were written at a time when most of our media was white; not to mention that interracial dating was also widely looked down on.

Where they see this as some horrible thing, activists against racism see it as something wonderful. Marvel is taking a stand in adding some color to our main stream media. In situations like this, you can’t help but see things as black and white (pun not intended). People that don’t like it are just adding more weight to the racism/oppression scale, and people that do like it see the hate Zendaya and Marvel are catching as a social issue that needs to be addressed. So, naturally, there has been retaliation. People have been speaking up and pointing out that white people aren’t the only ones who can have red hair. They have also, began to point out all of the reasons why black people should be more allowed in movies based off of comic books like this one; which, most of is similar to what I stated above about the time period.

In turn, the people that are upset that a black girl is playing Mary Jane don’t see it as an issue. In their eyes, there is nothing socially wrong with wanting to keep Mary Jane the way she is. They may even be as bold to say that the people retaliating against their comments are attacking them and that they are creating the social problem.

Applying the Sociological Imagination, you can see where both sides are coming from. On the side that is against Zendaya being casted as Mary Jane, the effects on both the individual and society starts back at the early decades of our country’s life. To state the fact of the matter, white people were “above” and “better than” black people in society. Or, at least, that is how it seemed. Fast forward to when slavery became illegal. Someone spoke up, and there was a huge step taken for black people. Though they were still oppressed, it was a little better than before. Let’s fast forward (way forward) to the Civil Rights movement. Once again, someone spoke up and lifted a little bit more of the oppression over the black race.

It’s a common theme that repeats itself over and over again. People created the society we have, and in turn society has created the people we have. The oppression that is still left over from the very beginning is being shown through the people is had convinced that we are not equal and that we shouldn’t be.

In turn, people affected society by showing that this is not the correct way. All people matter no matter the color of their skin. Each time someone has spoken up, society has grown a little more in favor of true equality. To clarify, on the oppressing side, Sociological Imagination shows that society has preconditioned white people to oppress black people. White people continuing to do it has shaped society more in that way. However, the side against oppression has conditioned society to show what the problem is. And, society has inspired people to change.

What is affected, though? What else is at play? People have the biggest role in this conditioning of society and society conditioning people in response. But, what tools are used? Obviously race and racism are main factors that play into this. Tradition, too. But we covered that. Mary Jane was “traditionally” white. Just like how white people “traditionally” oppress black people and other races. But what else? What is making something as small as a casting option such a huge topic? Well, it’s our media. In my opinion, it’s doing a job right now because it is mainly defending Zendaya. People that have been affected by society are using the media to affect the society right back in a much louder voice. The reporters and authors that are constantly spreading this to the media are using the resources that have been given to our generation to make a difference on a much grander scale and not being afraid when they do it. This is a perfect example of Sociological Imagination.

I know that this reflects an issue on a much grander scale, but I would like to just look at this situation for a minute. In this, social media has exploded with opinions about the casting call. You have some people that feel like the role will be “ruined” just because a black girl is the one filling it. In their opinion, the story of Spider-Man will be losing culture or tradition in this. As if, somehow, it will become less of a story. Also, listen to this. There are twenty-five major films that helped shaped the film making industry we have today that had main color roles that were plaid by white people. Eleven of those, such as: “A Mighty Heart”, “Argo”, “Elizabeth, Michael and Marlon”, etc., were created after 2000. No one said anything. The media didn’t light up with anger. No one cared that we were white washing our film industry.

I think I know what the real issue is here and why the oppressors think that skin color is going to ruin a film. It’s as simple as they are just still not use to seeing it. Still, today, a little over seventy-five percent of our main speaking roles in films are acted out by white people. It is people’s natural response to feel uncomfortable with change. Seeing something as popular as marvel change a detail in such a huge role is bound to make someone uncomfortable.

But, in my opinion, it’s time for people to get uncomfortable. You have to step out of your comfort zone if you expect to grow any. I mean, I know that people have already stepped out of their comfort zones and I see that the world has taken a lot of good steps in the right zone. But, a lot of bad steps have been taken too. People choose to ignore things like this and won’t admit that they are issues. I feel like it is way overdue that we force them out of their comfort zones and make them see what is wrong. I am usually an advocate for keeping peace. But, peace hasn’t worked obviously.

It's like Tupac said as he described our society and its issue of oppression. It’s like black people are standing outside of a hotel room starving while white people are inside with all the food they could need plus more. When black people knock on the door and ask for food, the white people respond “We have no food here,” and shut the door. Every day, black people stand outside of the door, singing “We are hungry, please let us in. We are hungry, please let us in.” After around a week of being ignored, the song is going to change to “We are hungry, we need some food. We are hungry, we need some food.” After about two weeks of being ignored, the song is going to change to, “Give me all of the food, or we are breaking down the door.” After years of suffering from oppression, the song changes to “We are picking the lock. We are coming through the door blasting.”

I am tired of watching people stand outside of the door starving. I am tired of being one of the causes for it. That’s why I opened the door and walked outside on the starving side with them since society won’t let me let them in. I’d much rather starve and die than be a part of the group responsible.