School Daze: A Spike Lee Joint That Explores Colorism and Black Identity

School Daze

by Lindsay Price

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	177 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	35 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Paperback	:	124 pages
Item Weight	:	4.8 ounces
Dimensions	:	5.85 x 0.31 x 8.27 inches
Hardcover	:	216 pages
Mass Market Paperback	:	416 pages
Reading age	:	18 years and up
Lexile measure	:	790L

FREE

School Daze is a 1988 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Spike Lee. The film stars Laurence Fishburne, Giancarlo Esposito, Kyme, and Tisha Campbell. It follows the lives of several students at Mission College, a historically black college in Atlanta, Georgia.

The film explores issues of colorism, black identity, and the role of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). It was a critical and commercial success, and is considered one of Lee's best films.

Plot

The film follows the lives of several students at Mission College, a historically black college in Atlanta, Georgia. The students are all from different backgrounds and have different experiences with colorism.

Dap (Laurence Fishburne) is a dark-skinned student who is proud of his African heritage. He is a member of the National Black United Front (NBUF),a student organization that promotes black power and unity.

Julian (Giancarlo Esposito) is a light-skinned student who is ashamed of his dark-skinned father. He tries to pass for white, and he is a member of the Gamma Phi Gamma fraternity, a white fraternity that does not allow black members.

Jane (Kyme) is a dark-skinned student who is beautiful and intelligent. She is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, a black sorority that promotes scholarship and service.

Half-Pint (Tisha Campbell) is a light-skinned student who is insecure about her skin color. She tries to lighten her skin with bleach, and she is a member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority, a black sorority that promotes social action.

The film follows the students as they navigate the challenges of college life, including racism, sexism, and colorism. They learn about their own identities and the importance of black unity.

Themes

School Daze explores a number of themes, including:

• Colorism
• Black identity
• The role of HBCUs
• Racism
• Sexism

Colorism is a form of discrimination that favors people with lighter skin over people with darker skin. It is a form of racism that is based on the belief that lighter skin is more beautiful and desirable than darker skin.

Black identity is a complex and multifaceted concept. It is shaped by a number of factors, including history, culture, and personal experience. School Daze explores the different ways that black people define their own identity.

HBCUs are colleges and universities that were founded specifically to serve black students. They have played a vital role in the education of black people in the United States.

Racism is a system of oppression that privileges white people over people of color. It is based on the belief that white people are superior to people of color.

Sexism is a form of discrimination that favors men over women. It is based on the belief that men are superior to women.

Critical reception

School Daze was a critical and commercial success. It was praised for its realistic portrayal of college life and its exploration of important social issues.

Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times wrote, "School Daze is a funny, angry, and ultimately hopeful film about the search for black identity." Vincent Canby of The New York Times wrote, "School Daze is a film of great intelligence and passion." Desson Howe of The Washington Post wrote, "School Daze is a must-see for anyone who cares about the future of black America."

School Daze

by Lindsay Price

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	177 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	35 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Paperback	:	124 pages
Item Weight	:	4.8 ounces
Dimensions	:	5.85 x 0.31 x 8.27 inches
Hardcover	:	216 pages
Mass Market Paperback	:	416 pages
Reading age	:	18 years and up
Lexile measure	:	790L

FREE