X-Men

Presenter Information

Ryan Burck

Document Type

Oral Presentation

Campus where you would like to present

SURC 271

Start Date

17-5-2012

End Date

17-5-2012

Abstract

The film, X-Men, provides a metaphor for social marginalization regarding views of immigration, racial status, and ethnic minorities. This marginalization forces outcasts to fight back, even if they were previously peaceful. I argue that by creating these social margins and seeing mutants, immigrants, and other ethnic differences as dangerous, people create violence, which wouldn't exist if outcasts were not marginalized. One author, Borges, explains how slums and ethnic suburbs are created by marginalizing people who are outside the norm, which in turn causes them to be violent and fight back. Therefore, the less social marginalization, the more violence would decrease, and cultural differences would not be seen as negative. From my research I draw examples of how immigrants can adapt to a new life while keeping their cultural heritage. If there is negativity from the national identity, however, then immigrants will seek comfort in numbers and create social marginalization between the two.

Faculty Mentor(s)

Melissa Johnson

Additional Mentoring Department

English

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May 17th, 4:10 PM May 17th, 4:30 PM

X-Men

SURC 271

The film, X-Men, provides a metaphor for social marginalization regarding views of immigration, racial status, and ethnic minorities. This marginalization forces outcasts to fight back, even if they were previously peaceful. I argue that by creating these social margins and seeing mutants, immigrants, and other ethnic differences as dangerous, people create violence, which wouldn't exist if outcasts were not marginalized. One author, Borges, explains how slums and ethnic suburbs are created by marginalizing people who are outside the norm, which in turn causes them to be violent and fight back. Therefore, the less social marginalization, the more violence would decrease, and cultural differences would not be seen as negative. From my research I draw examples of how immigrants can adapt to a new life while keeping their cultural heritage. If there is negativity from the national identity, however, then immigrants will seek comfort in numbers and create social marginalization between the two.