” Now Richard keys is accused of racism after tape ‘catches him labeling black player choco’ ” -Daily Mail UK

SUMMARY (own words):

Richard Keys -an ex Sky Sports presenter has been accused of Racism after calling a black football player “Choco” at a rehearsal broadcast. He has already been kicked off the spot as a presenter last month ago after his sexist off-air broadcasts were leaked.

So what exactly did Richard Keys say? -Keys commented on a black football player that if he played for Scotland, he should be called “Choco Jocko”. The football player Johnson says that he is he is “very disappointed” and that “If I’d have heard him say that at the time I would have been absolutely furious.” Keys’ sexist comment has also been brought up due to this incident. Last month, Keys commented on a female assistant referee saying “Somebody better get down there and explain offside to her”.

Read more at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1356520/Richard-Keys-accused-racism-ANOTHER-tape-comes-light-He-labels-black-player-choco.html

MAKING  CONNECTIONS:

This article relates to The Merchant of Venice because there is racism and sexism in both stories. In case of the article it was a white man (Richard Keys)  being racist to a black man (black football player) -this relates to the book because Antonio the Christian is racist towards Shylock the Jewish. Also, Portia does not want to marry the Prince of Morocco because of his dark toned skin colour. Sexism is another connection we can make to the book. In the article, Richard Keys made a sexist comment on the female referee. In the book, Portia is a victim of an arranged marriage because of her father’s will. Still today, racism and sexism continues since Shakespeare’s days.

FURTHER DISCUSSION (QUESTION):

What’s your opinion on racism and sexism? Have you ever been a victim of racism or sexism?

QUESTION RESPONSE:

1. Do other citizens influence our thoughts/opinion on other races? Do we depend on these people to decide what we think of other races for us? Do we have the right to decide for ourselves or is it in other peoples hands and if relatives run by thinking one way about a race does that mean that we have to think that same way? (Georgie Beale)

I believe that other citizens do influence our thoughts and opinions on other races. However, we cannot depend on these people to decide what we think of other races for us. We do have the right to decide for ourselves, even if relatives think differently. We are all different -therefore, we should have our own thoughts and opinions for everything.

2. Based on the article and the book, sexism was a very big “thing” back then, if you were living in those times, what would you do to resolve this issue? (Daniel Kim)

It wouldn’t be easy to resolve this issue back then because majority of the people supported/were sexist. Men did all the work back in the days and it was very unique, abnormal, and surprising for woman to be working. In case of the article, 164 years old Century Association in Manhattan should give woman rights and privileges since they have already accepted woman in the association for a long period of time.

1. The Globe Theater was built in 1599 by William Shakespeare’s playing company.The theater is a circular shaped building framed in wood. It is roofless with a rectangular shaped stage. The colour is darkish brown. This special theater is divided into three levels -usually according to the class level. Starting from the top level (highest class) was where the Lords sat. The second level was where the gentleman sat and lastly the bottom level was for the average citizens who came to watch. Approximately, the theater fitted around 1500 however with people crowding outside, the number may increase to 3000 people. We can tell from this description that the Globe Theater was an special place for the citizens of England at that time. Imagine all the people crowding and gathering around to watch Shakespeare’s play .

2. The Wheel of Fortune, also commonly known as Rota Fortunae is a concept that relates to fate. Fortunae -a roman goddess spins the “Wheel of Fortune” and it told that the she and the wheel decides the fate/fortune of everyone.

Fate and Fortune is a big part of Merchant of Venice. For example, picking one from the three casket is fate and fortune. Either you pick the right one and live happily forever, or pick the wrong one and never allowed to marry.

The prodigal son is a story from the bible -about a father and his two son. The youngest son asked his father for an early inheritance of his share from the family estate. Once he got his early inheritance, he went for a long journey far away. Soon he spent all he money and became broke. He had no choice but to work by feeding the pigs. He soon realizes that he lost his sense when he dreamed of eating the pig’s food. He went back to his father for forgiveness. His father forgave him and celebrated his return. His oldest son gets mad and jealous. His father explained to him that “You are always with me, everything I have is yours.”

In The Marchant of Venice, Shakespeare had included the story of the prodigal son. For example, when Bassanio needs money (just like how the younger son needed money), he goes to Antonio (like the father) for help with his money.

Antonio is a Vanetian merchant. He complained to Salarino and Solanio who are his friends how depressed he is. Salarino and Solanio assumed that he is depressed because of the big investment Antonio has made and therefore, he is very worried. Solanio agrees that is he was in Antonio’s position he would feel the same way. The three men continued discussing –trying to figure out why Antonio is depressed but is still unclear. Salarino and Solanio leaves and Bassanio (Antonio’s kinsman), Lorenzo, and Gratiano enter the scene. Gratiano tries to cheer Antonio up –however fails. Lorenzo and Gratiano leave the scene, which leaves Bassanio and Antonio alone. Bassanio confesses to Antonio that he has fallen in love with Portia, a very wealthy woman. However Bassanio has no chance because he is not rich enough to be one of Portia’s suitors. Bassanio asks Antonio to lend him money. Antonio is not able to lend Bassanio money but will help pay Bassanio’s debts.

In the courtroom scene from 1962 version of “To Kill A Mockingbird”, how Atticus (The Lawyer) talked was very strong and serious. He was very into the argument with the jury and others. His speech was very persuading -the way he talked reminded me of Martin Luther King’s speech. During the debate in the courtroom, Atticus talks about how all men should be treated equally no matter if their black or white.

In the courtroom scene from 1996 “A Time to Kill”, the lawyer was more relaxed, but still serious about the case. The way he persuade the jury and others in the courtroom was very different from how Atticus persuaded them. He told everyone to close their eyes and to imagine how much pain the little girl who got raped went through. His speech was very successful because it made people imagine the situation, which made everyone emotional. In the end of his speech, he asked them “What if she was white”. This sentence changed the whole speech. At first you’ll think the speech was about a case of the young girl who got raped, but he changes the speech fully to another point.

Both courtroom scenes both brought up the topic of racism between the blacks and the whites. However, how they talked/gave out the speech were two completely different ways. I think both of them were successful, but personally I think the lawyer from “A Time to Kill” was more successful because the audience put their self in the victim’s shoe.

RACISM IN MAYCOMB ALABAMA IN THE 1930’s:

In the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, it covers a lot of the social justice issues. The one that stood out to me when I first read the book was the issue of racism in Maycomb, Alabama. Before I started reading the novel, I read a biography of Harper Lee to understand where the novel was coming from. As I predicted, a lot of the characters are alike to her own family and some of the events that happen in this story are based or influenced by true experience she had. She also said herself that the events are based on her childhood experience with her family and neighborhoods –Her father was a lawyer, she was a tomboy, she grew up in Alabama, she was the youngest of 4 siblings, her mother died when Lee was in her 20’s.

Racism is a big issue around the world, towards every race. In the novel, racism towards black people in Maycomb was brought up. In real life, these issues really did exist of still do. Harper Lee’s family also had a black housekeeper like Calpurnia in the novel. During this period of time, black people were still seen as slaves for the white people. In the south, because they lost in the civil war, black people were treated worst than the black people living in the north. Black people were kept under white social and economic control. If a black person/family had any social or economical development, they were seen as a treat back in the days.

I am 100% against racism to every race. No one benefits from the racism and in the end, we are all same human beings –why are we harming each other? The world has become a better place compared to before, but racism still does exist in this world. Imagine how peaceful will the world be if there was so racism and we all got along together no matter which race we are.

By: Harper Lee