This week, as part of Frida Films I watched Sorry to Bother You. This was likely one of the most bizzare films I have seen for a long time, with what seems like a relatively normal plot-line twisting and turning out of control in the latter half of the film. Of the many themes in this film, the theme of race, and the additional obstacles that African-Americans face in the workforce stood out to me the most. Specifically, in the film Cassius is a black man working as a telemarketer that sells to predominantly white clients, and at first Cassius was barely making any sales being himself over the phone. However, when he put on his “white voice” he suddenly became one of the companies best-selling employees. This shows that Cassius had to hide his blackness and conform to societies white standards in order to be successful in the workforce. As the film went on, Cassius even started using his “white voice” at social gatherings in an effort to be more accepted by his white colleagues. Further, Cassius’ white higher-ups at the Power Caller party only valued his “black side” when it benefited them, such as asking him to entertain them with “gangster stories” or his ability to rap. This is an example of white people only being interested in particular aspects (often stereotypical ones) of another races culture when it suits them (ie for their own entertainment) and disregarding them when it does not. As a white male I certainly do not have much experience on this issue, but for me this film clearly highlighted how our society attempts to white-wash other cultures, and even though the film takes place in an alternate-version of America, there are many similarities between their society and our own.