The film reflection paper should not be a summary of the film. Instead, it should be an original interpretation of the film in light of the assigned readings. At least three textual supports should be cited to validate one’s interpretation of specific film examples. Please follow the proper format of standard in-text citations or footnotes (i.e. MLA, APA, or Chicago style).

Topic: “The Rabbit Proof Fence”

Instruction: Take the following question as a guide to reflect on the philosophical theme of the film. This should be a thesis driven paper; that is, it should have a thesis statement stating your interpretation of the intersection of the film and the assigned readings on Hume, Kant, Hegel, Smith and Bernasconi in relation to the theme of Race Matters. Next, in the body of arguments, you are to provide at least 3 reasons/textual interpretations to support your thesis. Keeping in mind, this should be your own original interpretation, not a descriptive summary of the film. Lastly in the conclusion, you should draw a logical conclusion that conforms to your initial thesis, but also offers implications for further reflections on the topic.

Question:

The film is a semi-documentary of the racial integration policy in Australia concerning the so-called “half-breeds” who were taken from their native communities in order to re-program them with the white value system. Although some of the parents “voluntarily” gave their kids to the white authority, their acceptance of the superiority of the white culture must be understood within the larger historical context, in which the emergence of racial category was concomitant with the colonial expansion of the West beginning around the 17th century. Similar to the racial integration policy in Australia, in the US, the institution of forced apprenticeship for Native Americans, as shown in Smith’s piece, was also supported by the same race theories where the lesser race must be forced into apprenticeship under the guardianship of the superior race. Against this racist historical background fully elaborated by critical philosophers such as Hume, Kant and Hegel, how should we interpret the urgency of the white authority to assimilate the Australian natives, despite the stubborn rejection of the three young girls depicted in the film? Given the fact that there is a tremendous disparity in technological achievements among different races, isn’t that an empirical proof supporting the claim of white superiority? In your view, is our racial identity (different from nationality or ethnicity) a viable category? In what way, is one’s racial identity useful, inevitable, or just purely harmful to humanity as a whole?