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Gentleman's Agreement Reflection

Throughout the film, Kathy Lacey consistently tried to establish herself as a potential ally, constantly vocalizing how she is not an anti-Semitic. However, she only considers herself an ally when she is in the company of others who will not be offended by this declaration. It is not until the end of the film that she realizes how she has been partially at fault for condoning prejudice, by not backing her claims with direct action. This reveals an issue that still manifests in contemporary society. Many people are comfortable with voicing their opinions or declaring themselves an ally of a marginalized group or a supporter of a movement, but do not take any direct action. Taking action does not necessarily mean running for a political office or taking extreme measures. It can mean calling people out and deciding in that moment that you will not tolerate any prejudice in your presence. In Kathy’s case, she made sure Dave Goldman and his family felt protected when they moved into their new home due to their status as Jews in a mostly Christian neighborhood. This not only shows character development, but also sets a great example for what an ally can be. In colloquial terms, this would be termed “putting your money where your mouth is,” which is an important ideal under America’s current societal conditions. We have reached a point where marginalized groups can be openly attacked and assaulted without a second thought, and allies can serve as a beneficial component to the process of fighting prejudice in American society.