Film Analysis

Jasdeep Brar

SOC 122

Iron Jawed Angels:

    The National Woman's Party (NWP) was movement led by Alice Paul fighting for woman's suffrage. The inability to vote and be an equal member of the community forced Paul and her fellow activists to protest in front of the white house regardless of the harsh criticism and violence they experienced. This was an example of political opportunity. She protested in a location that she knew would gain attention by the press, resulting in media attention. She has now successfully created another branch to help spread her awareness. The hunger strike itself was an example of the framing theory. Woman were joining together and participating in an act so aggressive that the government was forced to retaliate in some way (even if it wasn't positive). The movement gained power by receiving the support/participation of others . At one point Alice sits at the table and begins to sing a song, the woman slowly rise up to join her showing their act of loyalty to the cause. All of this can be looked at as the framing theory. The fact that Alice had woman actively participating in this movement inside and outside the prison, also showed a huge act of resource mobilization. She had connections, better yet woman who were loyal to the cause regardless of consequences.

The Zapatistas:

The Zapatista people were indigenous folks of Mexico that were fighting for their equality especially regarding their land. They were the "less wealthy" and typically ignored by the government when it came to their needs. They created this army of people who would wear ski masks in order to gain attention. Marcos was the military commander of his indigenous people. He promoted positivity in the community which helped influence these people to rise to their feet and fight for their equality. This positive reinforcement used to create this large army of people can be looked at as a framing approach. He spread positivity through his word influencing others to join the cause. The masks worn by these activists was also a framing approach, it created a sense of belonging and symbolized their "power". In 1994 their movement gained media awareness, creating political opportunity. These events were creating such attention that they had the chance to spread their word through these huge outlets regardless of their lack of access to resources.