Sociology Film Reaction 2

Ruiz 3

Marisa Ruiz November 15, 2008 Sociology 251 Film Reaction Paper #1: Using the Sociological Imagination

What Two Aspects of Culture or Society may be Affecting the Discrimination that Edith is Experiencing? When one looks at an individual’s experience, it is important to consider all the factors that shape their lives. In using the “Sociological Imagination” we can better understand an individual by looking at how their personal experiences interact with the larger structure of society during any given time period. In the movie, If These Walls Could Talk 2: 1961, we look inside the life of a lesbian couple during the early 1960’s. As racial and ethnic inequality and discrimination was prevalent during this time, gay and lesbian couples were not immune to the same injustices that the other groups experienced. Upon the death of Edith’s partner, Edith alone faced many difficulties, thus forced to undertake painstakingchoices in order to protect her from further adversity. Among the various issues that plague American society, we can further investigate Edith’s experience with inequality by looking at two aspects of discrimination: gay and lesbian discrimination and institutional discrimination. During the early 1960’s, gay and lesbian couples had to deal and cope with society’s general intolerance of homosexuality. Trials and tribulations of being a lesbian couple during this time met social stigma and minimal public acceptance. The general public felt that any deviation from society’s idea of the “traditional family” was perverted and immoral. In the earlier half of the movie, this is demonstrated by the teenagers’ reaction towards Edith and her

Ruiz 3

woman friend holding hands as they walked out of the movie theatre. According to society’s ideology of marriage and the family structure at the time, the only accepted model was based on the “traditional nuclear” heterosexual couples, Family, itself is a social institution in which gender related role behaviors learned, is molded fundamentally in part of our larger social institutions. During the early 60’s, there was no support systems available for homosexual couples. Same-sex relationships were not an option; when there was emphasis on the American idea of what a “traditional family,” homosexuality was not a part of the normal conventions and institutions that govern heterosexual couples and families. Based on American society at that time, same-sex couples were not widely accepted. Knowing this, Edith was faced to take some drastic measures that hid her love for her woman friend, which caused her to be further isolated in her life. In their relationship, they chose to keep their union rather private in order to avoid ridicule. These challenges posed to seem detrimental on their emotional well-being. Another aspect of social discrimination is institutional discrimination where inequality is clearly observed by the outcomes that affect specific groups of people such as gay and lesbian groups. There were no public policy concerning the rights, recognition, and protection of same sex couples when it came to legal issues, such as hospital’s next of kin rules and policy. Legally there were no open doors. With lack of support, and lack of access to resources that were established for these groups, there was no way Edith could fight hospital policy. Therefore, under these conditions it made no sense to disclose the true nature of their relationship. In the film, one example of institutional discrimination was when Edith went to the hospital. During the final hours of her partner’s life, Edith could not go into the ICU due to next of kin rules and hospital policy. She was not even informed of her death; although she made it known that, she was waiting to hear of any changes in her lover’s condition. Like today, there were no

Ruiz 3

government policies that legally protected the rights and equality of same-sex groups or any organization to support groups for alternative lifestyles. In conclusion, when one looks at an individual’s experience, it is important to consider all the factors that shape their lives from a micro-macro perspective. In doing this, one must look at all the components within the person’s framework as well as society’s outlook on such issues like same-sex issues. As we further investigate the experiences of individual, it is imperative to observe the interrelations between the individual, their family, and larger society. In all fairness, it is crucial to come to conclusions without bias or judgments from what we have learned from our own individual experiences. We must use this “sociological Imagination” to further understand each individual’s beliefs and perceptions in living their life as part as a larger social network.