Having watched the film God’s Step Children (1938), it is obvious that race discrimination is the stereotype Naomi and Jimme have faced with. However, in spite of the usual problem where an African-American child is discriminated, the situation is different.
Naomi is a child of white parents and she is brought up in the family of African-Americans. The situation does not create any difficulties until Naomi goes to school.
Being prejudiced from the side of classmates and teachers, Naomi is sure that everything is because of her color of skin, however, watching the movie, it is obvious that the problem is in Naomi’s behavior.
Naomi and Jimme are two children brought up in one family. Being treated equally, Naomi still understands that she is different. Starting going to school makes her omit it as she feels her difference and she does not want to stay there.
Children and teachers at school do not treat Naomi and Jimme in another way until Naomi becomes to behave inappropriately. Having spitted in the face of a teacher, Naomi understands that she has acted wrong but she says nothing.
A teacher wants to settle the conflict and also says nothing to Naomi’s stepmother, but Naomi does it herself having omitted some details. When the truth comes out Naomi is punished.
It is obvious that the problem of discrimination in this case comes not from the society but from a person herself. Having appeared in a strange group, Naomi tries to protect herself being aggressive without any reasons.
Naomi acts in such an aggressive manner trying to prevent the negative aggressive acts from her classmates, however, her behavior brings another effect.
Naomi is considered as an evil in class and even her brother Jimme does not want to talk to her. Time passes, children grow up and Naomi returns to the society she has always considered as a strange one.
She tries to become a part of this society which readily accepts her, however, she is unable to accept this society. Naomi always feels that she is strange there, even though there are no any visible reasons for such reaction.
Naomi leaves the black society one more time being sure that she is extra there. After her disappearance people begin to live without Naomi trying to be happy.
Thus, when she returns again in a year she is really extra there. A picture of a happy family where there is no place for Naomi any more makes her commit a suicide.
Therefore, it should be concluded that being a white child Naomi has always been accepted in the black society, the issue here is that she always felt that she is another and she could not accept that society as her own.
The prejudiced attitude of classmates in the direction of Naomi is based on her personal inability to accept that society as her native one. One of the main lessons of that movie is the fact that this is a person who chooses the place where to live.
Accepting the society one is going to live into, he/she is going to be happy, while the failure to accept it creates the subjective stereotype which is difficult to live with.
Naomi has created her personal stereotype, she has assured herself that the black society is not a place for her, therefore it has become the place where her presence was extra.