The Encyclopedia of Racism in American Films

August 1, 2018

In exploring how historically underrepresented people are often misrepresented, editor Murguía (sociology, Akita International Univ.; coeditor, The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Spanish Films) has created a vital resource (and pop culture companion). Drawing attention to the imbalance of power within the entertainment industry, Murguía and a series of contributors provide insight into Hollywood's record of institutional racism. Included films, which are listed alphabetically, contain either explicit racism (The Birth of a Nation; Big Trouble in Little China) or implicit racism (Aladdin; Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory) or critically discuss how racism operates in society (American History X; Guess Who; Get Out). Information such as running time, director, and author of the screenplay is helpfully listed alongside each entry, which also features a summary and analysis. There is a thoughtful critique of Disney's early works, including Fantasia and Dumbo, but of note is an appendix of common tropes such as the White Savior (Dances with Wolves; The Blind Side) and the Magical Negro (The Green Mile; the Matrix franchises), as well as critical commentary of race within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. VERDICT A solid reference for academic collections that touch upon film criticism, pop culture studies, and cultural history.--Stephanie Sendaula, Library Journal

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