This historical film, Gangs of New York, is characterized by socio-political disgust and is laden heavily with prejudice. This film portrays racism, patriotism, extreme nationalism, and classism, which all contributed to the poverty that existed in the Five Points. Gangs of New York vividly represents how difficult it can be for different people to live together peacefully with bitterness or the desire for retribution at the forefront.
The prejudice and classism depicted in this film is specifically racism against Whites. During the 1800’s, the time period of this film, there was a wave of Catholic-Irish immigrants coming to a predominately Protestant New York. Even though these immigrants were white, they were considered second-class to the Natives, who were also white. The Irish were looked down upon, much the same as African Americans were in this time period. Essentially everyone in the Five Points that was not a Native was considered inferior to the dominating Native gang, lead by William “The Butcher” Cutting. This is much different from the type of racism we experience in our society today, which is more related to the color of a person’s skin. Cutting also devalued the Irish by stating that they are willing to work for less than both the African American and the Whites; implying that they have disturbed the social and economic order by taking jobs away from the Native Whites. One might also consider this an instance of scapegoating directed at the Irish as a cause of joblessness in the Five Points. This is also still true today. Many immigrants are willing to take the jobs that no one else wants; to work for less money, in unpleasant conditions, for very long hours to earn a living. Through and through the gangs in Gangs of New York were enemies on the basis of national origin. I found it amusing that even the fire departments and police departments from different areas fought against one another.
The film also included several scenes of extreme nationalism and patriotism. Cutting’s view on being an American, which he ruled as supreme, was based on a blood tie to America. He told of how his father had fought and died for America in the War of 1812. At the very heart of Cuttings disdain for the immigrants is his pride in being an American. He referred to the Irish as “trespassers” at the docks as they were exiting the boats. Throughout the film, Cutting was ethnocentric to his core. Interestingly, Amsterdam also portrayed a sense of nationalism through his loyalty to his father and what his father fought, and ultimately died, for. Cutting and Amsterdam were both fueled by revenge; Cutting to avenge his country, and Amsterdam to avenge his father’s death. There were also several scenes of caskets of deceased soldiers being brought into the port and unloaded onto the docks, while new soldiers boarded the ships which projected a sense of general patriotism during this time period, although maybe by force.