Old-line liberals Matt and

Christina Drayton (Spencer

Tracy and Katharine
Hepburn) have raised their
daughter Joey (Katharine
Houghton) to think for
herself and not blindly
conform to the conventional.
Still, they aren't prepared for
the shock when she returns
home from a vacation with a
new fianc: African-American
doctor John Prentice (Sidney
Poitier).
The film was released in 1967,
six months after the
Supreme court case Loving
v. Virginia. The film was a
box office hit earning about
56 million.
SUMMARY
A very accomplished and sweet black
doctor who works for the United Nations
World Health Organization. John falls in
love with Joanna (Joey), his first
relationship since his wife and child were
killed in an accident eight years earlier.
Hes the son of mailman and homemaker.
Pre-Encounter:
John tells the Drayton's, that if they
cant give their blessing to
Joey and him, there wont be a
marriage. Hes looking for
acceptance from the white
superiority aka Joeys father.
He doesnt give this same
ultimatum to his own parents.
Internalization:
John doesnt try to conform to the
dominant white culture. Hes
very secure if his racial
identity. He doesnt see himself
as a black man, but as a man.
He doesnt let his race define
who he is.
He doesnt second guess himself
when he falls in love with Joey.
Hes only concern is how her
parents will react to their
engagement.
RACIAL IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT OF JOHN
Internalization/Co
mmitment:
He doesnt stray far from his
roots. He doesnt try to act
white, even though hes
more similar to upper-
middle class whites, like
Joeys parents than
working-class blacks, like
his parents. Thats not his
fault, its his personality.
RACIAL IDENTITY DEVEL. OF JOHN, CONTD.