Allport's Theory of Contact in Film Review

This theory contends that properly managed contact between groups can occur if four fundamental factors are present: social status, common goals, acquaintance potential, and the support of authorities, law or customs (Pettigrew 66). Social status helps to reduce prejudice and discrimination when groups work to equalize social status among themselves; in the case of Corleone and the Five Families, it is understood that each "family" has an equal controlling share of the community. Common goals help to reduce competition and allows groups to work together to attain them. Acquaintance potential helps to reduce discrimination and prejudice when groups work together to know each other on a personal basis; this helps to identify the common goals that each group, or group member are working towards. Finally, prejudice and discrimination are reduced if a group supports and defines the social norms that create equality among them; in the film, conflict is created when Virgil "The Turk" Sollozzo, an associate of the Tattaglia family -- one of the five governing families of the Italian mob -- wants to start dealing heroin and Vito Corleone is opposed to the idea because of his stance against drug trafficking.

Outside of the New York crime syndicate, the Corleone family continues to be discriminated against due to their ethnic background. Discrimination against Italians and Italian-Americans is predicated by preconceived notions and biases that affiliate most, if not all, Southern Italians with being poor and uneducated, as well as the stereotype that Italians, especially those from southern regions, are criminals and engaged in criminal activities. "The most enduring negative image Italian-Americans have had to deal with concerns the connection to organized crime.Because the Mafia is synonymous with organized crime and Italian-Americans are identified with the Mafia, the logic, to many, becomes simple: "Italians = organized crime" (Marger 303). In the Godfather, this type of discrimination is highlighted through Senator Kane's defense of the Corleone family and Italian-Americans, in general. Through his defense of the Corleone family, Senator Kane contends, "Italian-Americans are the hardest working, most law-abiding patriotic Americans of our country" yet acknowledges the Corleone family's involvement with the Mafia, even though he also contends that the hearing on the Mafia "is in no way a slur on the Italians by the Senate" (the Godfather).

There are many other factors that determine how the Corleone family functions. One must understand that there are two different types of family that the Corleone's represent. Not only is the Corleone family related through blood and is headed by a patriarch, but they are also a "family" that is based upon a hierarchy with the same Vito Corleone governing and dictating acceptable behaviors, practices, and business transactions. As long as no conflicts arise within the family, or the "family" then Allport's Theory of Contact can be applied, however as soon as differences emerge, all bets are off as the families find new reasons to be in competition with each other.

Works Cited

The Godfather. Dir Francis Ford Coppolla. United States: Paramount Pictures, 1972. Film.

The Godfather Part II. Dir Francis Ford Coppolla. United States: Paramount Pictures, 1974.

Film.

Marger, Martin. "Chapter 10: Italian-Americans and Other White Ethnics." Race and Ethnic

Relations: American and Global Perspectives. 6th Edition.….....