Op-docs

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Op-Docs

An op-doc are multiple short documentaries produces by different independent filmmakers on the New York
Times. These documentaries usually have some sort of commentary about something present in our society. After watching a bunch of these short documentaries, there were two that really caught my eye: "A Conversation with Black Women on Race" and "Who Sounds Gay". Both documentaries discussing different stereotypes in society. 

A Conversation with Black Women on Race

I found this op-doc to be extremely eyeopening, showing the unfair prejudices and preconceived stereotypes people have against black women and how it affects them. There were a couple of stories that definitely stood out to me. One being when one of the women described an altercation while in show choir when she was younger. All of the white girls were allowed to have a range of fun and pretty hairstyles, but when it came to her, it was basically the opposite. When the women questioned her choir director, the choir director responded that she was was not good enough, and that was made known during the performance. This is truly upsetting. Even from a young age, this women was outwardly told how she was deemed lesser than the white girls. No one should have to go through that, just because they have a different skin color. 

Another moment that stood out was when another women talked about how her grandfather would color in the characters of her childhood books to match her skin color. It is unfortunate that her grandfather had to do that in order for there to be an example of representation for the women. This is something we are still struggling with in our media. We need to add diversity in literature, movies, etc, to allow people to grow up and not feel misrepresented or confused. It would be extremely helpful.

At the end of the op-doc, the women were asked what would be one thing they would tell their daughter. One women said they would tell their daughter that they are beautiful and loved, since it is not often said in society or media. This really stuck out to me. It is truly awful that this women has to remind her daughter to not listen to the harmful stereotypes present in society and media. 

Who Sounds Gay


This op-doc delves into a stereotype found in gay men that gay men typically have higher pitched voices. We meet two men, one with a higher pitched voice and one with a lower pitched voice. The plot twist being that the man with the higher pitched voice is the straight one while the man with the lower pitched voice is the gay one. This simply shows how harmful this stereotype for gay men is. There shouldn't be a certain way gay men should look like or certain mannerisms they should have. We really shouldn't automatically assume or judge somebody either from these preconceived stereotypes that have been engraved in our society.   

This op-doc goes into the science of why certain men have higher pitched voices, compared to others. One reason this possibly happens is by who you grow up around, specifically if you are around women more often. Women and men have several differences in the way they speak and how they pronounce certain words. The man with the higher pitched voice grew up
surrounded by women, so he probably learned to emulate the way those women spoke. The man is even mistaken on the phone for a women abut 98% of the time. On the other hand, the man with the lower pitched voice, grew up around other men who believed in the traditional roles for men. It is so interesting that the people we grow up around can possibly have a strong influence on how we speak.


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