Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner

    In Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, the film introduces the idea of interracial marriage and the disparities that surrounded those attempting to accomplish during the 1960s. Joanna Drayton, a white woman, becomes engaged to a black doctor, John Prentice. During this time, there was a significant issue of race in society as there were clear cultural, social, ethical and moral inequities. The Drayton’s have a really hard time understanding the difference in status between the couple, even more so the fact that Prentice is African American. The Prentice family shared similar shocks and worries, especially being the family of a son marrying a White woman. 

It is no secret that since John is a doctor, he is well educated and has become quite successful. Because of the current societal norms, though changing and progressing, John was used to mistreatment and being seen as “less than”. Due to the changing times, many were growing to adjust and adapt to the idea of interracial couples becoming more of a norm in society. I was really surprised that both sets of parents were as disapproving of the relationship as they were, but in reality this was simply normal at the time. White and African American people in our nation's views were not equal and as such could not be together in marriage. 

As the movie progresses, both families begin to adjust to the idea of the two being together. The Drayton’s grow to actually be really charmed and impressed by Prentice, and very proud of who he is and what he has accomplished. This part was surprising to me because I had gotten so used to seeing White citizens being entirely unaccepting of African Americans and firm with their views. The Prentice family ended up sharing similar views, which I was not as surprised about, but it was shocking to me to see these two families cohabiting so well. 

Another thing that was interesting to me was the couple's commitment to each other and their happiness. More specifically, their fierce ignorance to opposition and hate that they may encounter just for being together as two individuals of a different race. The relationship as a whole moved rather quickly, which was another interesting component to me. The way in which society viewed interracial marriage made for a great challenge in being together, yet that never seemed to slow them down or deter them.

Overall, the societal progress shown in this movie, I feel, was an accurate representation of the current era. It is unbelievable for me to think that we once lived in a society even more segregated and enveloped in racism than even the 60s. I really appreciated the approach the filmmakers took in delivering this message. Even more so, I have much appreciated watching the progression of society through film in this class as it has been extremely informative and eye opening to me as to our nation's history.