Prejudice in the Film 12 Angry Men Kelly Joice College

Prejudice is, unfortunately, a reality in American society. In the “12 Angry Men” film, director Sidney Lumet shows the audience how prejudice plays part in the opinions of the jurors of a murder trial. Prejudice is an adverse judgment or opinion formed beforehand, not based on reason or personal experience, or knowledge of the facts. It is a preference or idea which could be based on income, job, culture, race, gender, or other characteristics. More often, people are treated unfairly because of where they live or what they look like.

In the film, Lumet highlights that some men are unable to put aside their prejudices and personal beliefs even when they are sworn to do so. The film argues that some jurors are too quick to arrive at hasty conclusions and automatically accept the evidence that is presented before them. They choose a “guilty” verdict initially based on various assumptions that are linked to prejudices. Lumet shows the power of prejudice and racism to subvert justice and argues that for democracy to be maintained, objectivity and common sense must prevail over this prejudice. At the end of the film, prejudice is overcome by reason.

The importance of an open mind rather than sticking with performed and generalized...