Ok so some background info, back in year 11. I've really had a flourishing year averaging a B+ in English over my exams and SAC's as a whole, not really aiming to high to set a higher standard for myself this year. Unfortunately its all been crashing down on me to an extent that my marks through not only context but also in the other two essays have gone down to C, D and recently E+. Ive literally studied to understand the text and what ever else material is being assessed, as well as completed numerous essays to prepare myself. I know the purpose of a Prac Essay is more so a learning experience to test what works and doesn't but in doing so I have potentially made my overall SAC mark go down hill. I'm a type of guy that doesn't need large expressive word's nor use that type of vocabulary to express my points, or to interpret what the author is trying to portray throughout a book. So now, back to my essay of context, i was asked to analyse the movie "Skin", in short terms its about an African child being born from two white parents in South Africa during the time of white dominance and black discrimination/slavery. She is reclassified as white in colour, but later is determined to adapt herself to become a part of her African people's community, therefore opted her to change back to "black" in colour. She becomes married, and is later forced to leave her husband due to family issues and runs away with her kids, later growing up and living amongst fellow black people who work in factory labour.
Essay question-
It is difficult to possess a sense of belonging when we are unsure of our own identity
(creative)
Persona of a doctor, who in the movie first classified her skin colour as "white"
Protagonist: Her name is Sandra Liang
Written Explanation (only because it is a SAC)
I have interpreted the prompt of being unsure of our own identity, makes it hard to seek for a true identity and feel a sense of belonging. Through the persona of Sandra Liang's doctor, Dr. Sparks I will be presenting her issue in belonging with societies norm from the beginning when she is born and deemed 'black' in colour. Writing a formal letter to Sandra's Father, I will bring up the issues of government wanting to reclassify her colour, after all, her generic traits do not simply comply to fit within the white laws and restrictions. Further more I will be presenting three arguments to Abraham Liang (the father) as to why this decision has been made. Firstly, in relation to the text we witness how it is indeed difficult to find a true sense of belonging for Sandra going to an all white school and feeling discriminated. As the film continues and she grows older, she faces different hardships making a move to live with the African Community with her husband, raising question as to possibly her need to belong with her people in away to accept who she is, and discovering a true identity. In conclusion Sandra's life has been depicted by her parents wanting her to be classified 'white' and act as if she is someone who she really isn't in society. Possessing a sense of belonging can be hard therefore perfect relation to the film can be made with a continuation of ideas in which I make a link with, Nelson Mandela and his search in finding a sense of belonging within the world but also in reference to the black ruling in South Africa, and their slavery. Sold off and used for hard labour work years ago, complies with this text well. Lastly Sandra will be deemed black and ultimately reclassified colour due to her difficulty to not fit within societies depiction of a normal race she will have to abide by the newly enforced black, African laws and jurisdictions also keeping separate from white society.
Essay-
Dr. Sparks
Patients Name: Sandra Liang
Gender- Female
Race- Black, African decent (white parents)
Issuance: Reclassification of being white in colour and race, to be changed previously as black and African in decent.
To the parents of Sandra Liang.
As Sandra's official doctor, professionalist in the study of "Genetic Mix-ups" otherwise known as skin classification, I would like to raise the issue that out of government warrant, I have been given legal action to pursue a change in Sandra's skin colour and race classification. Before any further appeal, she will have to ultimately abide by current black laws and restriction's opted with this change, keeping separate from white communities. In further reason as to why i have made this decision, it will be further explained already depicted that Sandra is trying to fit in and find her sense of belonging. She has been wanting to discover her true self within the African society. Although I can offer of no assistance in the delay of decision to Sandra's reclassification, it would be wise to consult the government about choosing to reclassify her colour. Upon doing so i recommend being careful as your own daughter might have to be separated from you if appealing to this decision against the government.
In further explanation Sandra was born of black decent and has constantly faced the hardships of having to be someone who she isn't. You as parents have made her life harder by classifying her race as 'white' although we do not consider it. A human's instinct consists of love, care and belonging. In consideration to her reclassification she will feel at peace being deemed black. This will allow her to witness and truly belong to her proper society of African culture. As for being accepted we have already considered her need to move away from home with her husband, Petrus as a sign of avoiding all the discrimination and having a true sense of belonging. All this time she has been labelled a false identity, why not help her become part of her true culture, instead of against it. She seeks for her assurance in true identity and personally my decision of reclassifying her is for the better.
We have all heard and attest the Nelson Mandela case. His fight for freedom, a search for all black's to belong in this world. I offer that to your daughter Mr.Liang, she will for once not be seen as the 'special' human of which we must simply accept as white. If this isn't a sense of discrimination for her, than there is no other viable argument that i could possibly present. Societies norm to belong is a hardship in itself. One does not simply fit in everywhere he or she thinks they can be place. Enough of Sandra's exploring of her own identity, feeling as if she is of white decent.
There came a time when African's stuck to their own grounds and same with white society. South Africa has changed, times are different and white communities as such are here to migrate, separate from African laws and jurisdictions. This isn't a time of slavery and hard labour although there is a fine line between white and black rules. The governments decision of reclassifications was more a lawful one as such, her genetic characteristics do not fit within the new white community, thoughtful of Sandra's need to belong, possessing a sense of discovering her true identity and accepting who she is.
All her life you as parents have influenced how her life is going to be made out. From a young age she is deemed white, siding by an all white school and having to live her life mostly in disapproval by white society. You went through all the conflict to make her who she is today. A false realisation of being unwanted by her fellow peers around her, giving a glimpse of false hope that ultimately led to Sandra wanting to become a part of the African, black community. That tells me she is unsatisfied with humanity, on the search for a real identity, a real sense of belonging. That feeling comes from her heritage which I have now gladly opted to change on behalf of the governments orders.
I am a strong believer in saying that, identity is something we as humans discover. As a doctor we face many issues in similar manner as we address these people to say we simply, don't, have an answer to finding identity. Sandra's case has been widely seen as the mysterious birth of an African child with white parents. Unexplainable yet we cannot dispute between if she is classified white or black decent. Our decision for such action to commence as far as a reclassification of colour is the reasonable way to go about this, therefore you as the family members should realise this change, we aren't being biased to any other black born child. In disclaiming that black's once used to run this country, time have truly changed, we have specified that we once acknowledged her first white classification but now its time to knowledge our change, change for a stress relieving community.
Reassurance of a happier life for your daughter can be seen from this overall outcome. If we as humans have a strong innate need to belong, I believe we are kidding ourselves if Sandra feels any less guilty about being labelled 'white'.
Belonging is when you are supported, accepted by our peers to which we want to discover out true identity. Assurance of this feeling comes when Sandra will genuinely feel a sense of belonging, whether it be with her people and culture or by her family. Carrying the burden of being singles out by the community doesn't feel good and I bet she doesn't feel a sense of security either.
Trust me Mr. Liang our final decision to reclassifying Sandra's colour is non negotiable. A governments decision was once a thought, but now it must be put into action.
On behalf of the government of South Africa
Dr.Sparks
This essay was given an E+
Please help me with what to improve on and how to fix certain bits of my writing. All criticism helps
thanks.
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