“Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves.”
– Henry David Thoreau
By: Azirah Rahman
While there has always been women incarcerated in the United States, popular Netflix series, Orange is the New Black "OITNB", has provided an in depth look of our women in prison and the journey through their personal struggles. Viewership and internet ratings have drawn in people from all different backgrounds (Race, Ethnicity, Sexual Orientation, Age, Religion, Politics, Etc.) to connect and relate to this show. Their use of dramatic story lines and twisting plots is what has given OITNB such popularity on many social media outlets.
Someone once told me, "Azirah, just watch the first episode.....I'm telling you, you're gonna be HOOKED!"
Within this character role, Piper "Chapman" plays an unconventional white privileged woman who seems to have it all together. Although Chapman seemed to lead a stable life, one bad decision made 10 years ago has suddenly come back to haunt her. She becomes charged to faced with 15 challenging months in an upstate New York Women's prison facility.
In the first season, Piper Chapman is seen as quiet, shy new girl behind the prison walls where she is unsure of her own identity and her new found lifestyle . Season 2 has provided a new look in which within a few months behind bars, time has altered Chapman's personality. Over time, she has learned to alter herself to reflect on her tough experiences and new outlook on life while serving time in prison.
In OITNB, Season 2 Episode 9 "40oz in Furlough", (Netflix Video above) Chapman has a "Come-to-Jesus moment" after being address critically by her father during the funeral services of her Grandmother. Here, she quickly offers her new found perspective of herself by replying, "That's exactly who I am" after her father stated, "You're my little girl, that girl in there, that's not who you are" (24:00, Netflix Video above). This is a prime example of how prison can alter one's personal ideology, while trying to assimilate back into their personal life.
Henry's quote in the beginning of the blog speaks volume in terms of the overall view and depiction of this show. I personally feel that one's behavior will change overtime according to their surroundings and environments. It doesn't necessarily mean that you are a "bad person", but when time progresses, it gets easier to pick up habits and do things in ways that is are just not the same anymore. You can always be yourself, but again, certain events such as Chapman's time in jail has let her for the first time feel more comfortable in her own skin. Chapman's father had a hard time adjusting to her new self awareness and saw this "change" as a negative light. But seriously, how can he even begin to understand if he's been living that "proper" lifestyle his entire life?
Let's face it, when you do the crime, you've got to do the time; and time is all a person needs in order to change their life. Whether it's good or bad, that's entirely up to the person. Some people in prison already know that they "fucked up" and have disappointed the people in their lives, essentially they look for ways to gain their loved ones' approval again.
Ultimately, one would learn to accept who they really are like Chapman has done. By portraying to be someone you're not, you will eventually get tired of it. In reality, people will eventually grow out of their comfort zone and be the person they are meant to be. When you are not ready, you start acting and when you start acting, you will in the long run "lose yourself". Even Chapman reached an ultimate low in her life at one point, but in a matter of time, she had discovered her true self and grew out of her comfort zone.
Let's face it, when you do the crime, you've got to do the time; and time is all a person needs in order to change their life. Whether it's good or bad, that's entirely up to the person. Some people in prison already know that they "fucked up" and have disappointed the people in their lives, essentially they look for ways to gain their loved ones' approval again.
Ultimately, one would learn to accept who they really are like Chapman has done. By portraying to be someone you're not, you will eventually get tired of it. In reality, people will eventually grow out of their comfort zone and be the person they are meant to be. When you are not ready, you start acting and when you start acting, you will in the long run "lose yourself". Even Chapman reached an ultimate low in her life at one point, but in a matter of time, she had discovered her true self and grew out of her comfort zone.
Chapman's quiet and shy personality in Season 1, firm and headstrong attitude in Season 2, has led me to imagine how her personality will alter in the upcoming Seasons. Not only am I interested in the changes and story line of Piper Chapman, but I'm also intrigued to see the other unique characters and how they change as well. As I mentioned before, the infatuation with the characters, their personal narratives, and the way they are naturally depict in several diverse viewpoints, has led viewers including myself to hold on to our seats for the new the episodes to begin.
I can't wait for Season 3 to begin. I mean shit, I don't blame them! I'm ready... are you?
I can't wait for Season 3 to begin. I mean shit, I don't blame them! I'm ready... are you?
Work Cited
http://time.com/2963489/oitnb-season-two-finale-review/
http://jthomasniu.org/class/687/Readings/women-cult15.pdf
http://matadornetwork.com/bnt/discovering-your-true-self-top-50-quotes/
