Interlocking Systems of Oppression and the Paradox of Privilege: An Application of Patricia Hill Collins' and Allan Johnson's Theories to MAID IN AMERICA and MAID IN MANHATTAN

Date of Award

2009

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Humanities

First Advisor

Clark, Maribeth

Keywords

Privilege, Hispanic, Service Industry, Film

Area of Concentration

General Studies

Abstract

This thesis utilizes the theories of Patricia Hill Collins and Allan Johnson to analyze two films: Maid in America and Maid in Manhattan. Through the combination of Collins and Johnson discussed in the first chapter, we see race and class from a unique perspective in both films. These theories can be used as lenses to examine categorization, the different levels in society where we experience privilege, and the paradox of privilege ideas that Collins and Johnson explore. These films are directly opposite in their setup and purpose. Chapter 2 presents the film Maid in America, a documentary, about the situation of Latin American illegal immigrant workers in Los Angeles, showing the typical days of three maids. Chapter 3 focuses on a popular film, Maid in Manhattan, which intends to entertain. With Maid in America, I will show that there are real limitations that prevent individuals in this country from accessing privilege. In Maid in Manhattan, we learn that there are always limitations, but for those in the second or third generations, it is often simply categorization and fear that prevents them from getting hold of the privilege they have earned or can earn. We conclude with a discussion of the complexity of privilege as it is linked to race, class, gender, and the ability of individuals to earn privilege through generations of hard work.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS