Cultural differences

Cultural Changes – The Longest Yard V. The Longest Yard Robert Aldrich (1974) Peter Segal (2005) Racism and segregation Homosexuality Women

Racism and Segregation Paul Crew, played by Burt Reynolds, was chained to a black man merely for humiliation in the original movie The Longest Yard. Paul Crews’ second hand man was a black man played by Chris Rock, in the remake of The Longest Yard.

Racism and Segregation 1988 Congress passes the Civil Rights Restoration Act, which expands the reach of nondiscrimination laws within private institutions receiving federal funds The first race-riot acts in Los Angeles, Ca. after a jury acquits four white officers for the videotaped beating of African American, Rodney King.

Racism and Segregation 2003 In the most important affirmative action decision since the 1978 Bakke case, the Supreme Court upholds the University of Michigan Law School's policy, ruling that race can be one of many factors considered by colleges when selecting their students because it furthers "a compelling interest in obtaining the educational benefits that flow from a diverse student body."Bakke

Racism and Segregation White and black men are separated in the original movie for racial purposes. White and black men are separated in the remake for their own personal safety.

Segregation in Prisons There is an unwritten California policy, dating back more than 25 years, requiring officials to assign newly arrived black prisoners to bunk only with other black prisoners for two months or more. (Frances Gunder CA. Senior Assistant Attorney General 2009)

Homosexuality 30 years ago homosexuality was considered ‘loathsome and disgusting’. Homosexuality is much more sociably acceptable today.

Homosexuality continue 1962 Illinois became the first state to decriminalize homosexual acts between consenting adults in private The American Psychiatric Association removes homosexuality off their list of mental disorders Wisconsin is the first state to outlaw discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation

Homosexuality continued 2000 Vermont becomes the first state in the country to legally recognize civil unions between gay or lesbian couples. The law states that these “couples would be entitled to the same benefits, privileges, and responsibilities as spouses.” It stops short of referring to same-sex unions as marriage, which the state defines as heterosexual

Homosexuality continued 2007 The House of Representatives approves a bill ensuring equal rights in the workplace for gay men, lesbians, and bisexuals On June 17, President Obama signs a referendum allowing the same-sex partners of federal employees to receive benefits. They will not be allowed full health coverage, however. This is Obama's first major initiative in his campaign promise to improve gay rights.

Homosexual Comparisons The remake The Longest Yard – Inmates dressed seductively and were openly gay throughout the movie at football practice and at the big game. The cheerleaders consisted of White, Black, and Hispanic men. The original The Longest Yard – Black men are cheerleaders and they are only seen at the end of the movie during the big game. They are dressed as women, not gay men. The perspective of their homosexuality is very discrete.

2005 Haaaay! Whatchya doin’ big boy?

Women as Sex Objects Looking at images of women's bodies activates the part of men's brains associated with using power tools. According to Susan Fiske, psychologist at Princeton University, men who see women in bikinis or sexy clothing have increased activity in their premotor cortex, which involves them to take action.

Women as sex objects In the final part of the study, Fiske asked the men to fill in a questionnaire that was used to assess how sexist they were. The brain scans showed that men who scored highest had very little activity in the prefrontal cortex and other brain regions that are involved with understanding another person's feelings and intentions. "They're reacting to these women as if they're not fully human," Fiske said.

Women The original The Longest Yard women are seen as sex objects. Paul Crews’ girlfriend is dressed in a see though red negligee. She is portrayed as a pushy, whiney woman who is pushed to the floor by her face. Even then, she lays on the floor in a sexual, seductive manner. Crew, played by Burt Reynolds, tells her to shut up! She is there in his bed for only one obvious reason. Sex.

Women The remake The Longest Yard women are portrayed as dominating women. Paul Crews’ girlfriend, played by Courtney Cox is fully clothed throughout the scene and is upper-class. She is portrayed as a successful business woman She is irritated that Crew, played by Adam Sandler, is watching football rather than mingling among her friends. She refers to him as her boy-toy.

Changing Roles in the Future An entertaining post has been making its way around facebook these days. It states: “For all those men who say ‘Why marry the cow when you can get the milk for free?’ Here's an update for you! Nowadays, 80% of women are against marriage, why? Because women realize it's not worth buying an entire pig just for a little sausage!”

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