The Encyclopædia Brittanica defines minorities
as a culturally, ethnically, or racially distinct group that coexists with but
is subordinate to a more dominant group. An interpretation that can be made
after reading Dracula and Dead Until Dark as well as watching True Blood is that vampires are classified
as minorities. From the isolation that Dracula and Bill experience to the accusations
and stereotyping by other characters, it seemed that vampires do not get all
the luxuries of immortality; rather, their immortality is combined with the
negative connotations of minorities that made their lives miserable. These
negative connotations of minorities exist today and cause greater separation
and hatred among all races.
In Bram
Stoker’s Dracula, it was quite evident
that Dracula was the odd one out. When the reader is introduced to Dracula, he
lived in Transylvania in current day Romania and set up a plan to live in Great
Britain. Compared to Dr. Van Helsing, Mina, and Dr. Seward, who all originated
from Great Britain, Dracula was the minority because he coexisted with them,
the majority group. The British people feared Dracula because they did not have
much information about him; only speculations surmised. Similarly, Americans
fear Mexicans because of the speculations that the media distributes and labels
as news. The media has the tendency to give inaccurate if not bias information
regarding minorities living in the United States to promote their agendas. Though
it might help with their goals, it hinders the reputation of Mexicans and
classifies them as bad people like Dracula. In addition, Dracula represents
minorities for he lived in constant fear. Though he was quite strong during the
night, the daytime was his kryptonite. Thus, Dracula shapeshifted as a coach
driver when he first met Jonathan Harker as well as a dog when he was traveling
to Great Britain by boat. He also isolated himself when he lived in both of his
estates in Transylvania and Great Britain. This fear parallels with the fear
that minorities experience living in America specifically African Americans in
which they are constantly afraid and attempt to hide when they are confronted
by police officers.
In Dead Until Dark, Bill represented the
minorities because he was classified with the new race of vampires existing
with the living people. Living people constantly despised his existence
especially when dining at Merlotte’s; no one wanted to sit, eat, or converse
with him. During the mid to late 20th century, African Americans
also experienced that same but in a more aggressive manner where signs mentioned
segregation. Though this extremism has decreased over time, the feeling of
forced separation among races remains. It was also peculiar to see how extreme
vampires (Diane, Liam, and Malcolm) despised Bill, who was attempting to
mainstream into society. They hated the idea of submitting to the majority
through mainstreaming and were constantly wreaking havoc in Bon Temps. ISIS is
like the extreme vampires in which they hate Western culture. They also hate
other Muslims who accept Western culture and modernization and will kill them to
implement fear within Muslims.
In True Blood, living beings represent the
majority, and they dislike the minority vampires. Sam, the owner of Merlotte’s,
discussed with Sookie that he wished vampires including Bill who was
mainstreaming had their own bars and restaurants. This demonstrated that the
idea of segregation still lingers today though it had been abolished in the
United States for decades. Moreover, when Arlene talked to Sookie, she stated
that she did not want to serve Bill. Many small family-owned restaurants can
decide which customers they can serve; thus, refusing to serve minorities
exists. Lastly, all the living people in Bon Temps believed Bill caused the
deaths. They assume it was him because he was the most present vampire in Bon
Temps. Similarly, when terrorist attacks happen across the globe, Muslims are
the first to be accused because of previous attacks such as the attacks in Paris
and New Zealand.
Overall, I
believe vampires represent today’s minorities who are constantly misjudged,
ridiculed, and targeted. Violence, destruction, and pain can be avoided by
avoiding these false accusations and further understanding the culture of
minorities.
