Griffin Schutte

3/21/14 1B
Timed Writing

The racial tension evident between those of white and black skin parallels the feuding
between the Montague and Capulet families. At the time the play was written, black people were
not considered human by white people. It was inconceivable for a black man to cultivate a
romantic relationship with a white woman. If a black man were to publicly demonstrate his
affections for the white woman, he would have been promptly executed. Similar tensions are
apparent in Romeo and Juliet between the families Capulet and Montague. An archaic rivalry
exacerbated by death and blood divides the two families. Each family member vows to strike
against the other family. However, Romeo and Juliet, born into the hatred of the families,
develop a forbidden love. They refuse to adhere to the violent traditions that their families have
instituted. The cover of the video, showcasing a black Romeo kissing a white Juliet, embodies
the rebellion of both rejections of romantic taboo. Romeo and Juliet love despite his and her
families and blacks and whites love in spite of racial bigotry.