“Let me give you a tip. If you want to make some money here, use your white voice.”
The film tackles the racial tensions in our current society particularly the racial discrimination against black people. Systemic racism is an obstacle that is still existent in the workplace and social spheres preventing black communities from succeeding. Therefore when Cassius starts working at the telemarketing company he has a hard time making sales with his voice. Thus, Langston an employee who has been in the workplace for a long time suggests using his ‘white voice’. In essence, the film conveys the need to assimilate into the white culture in order to make strides career-wise.
“God made this land for all of us. Greedy people like you want to hog it to yourself and your family…”
Greed in a capitalist society is a construct that is heavily handled in the film as the protagonist climbs up the career ladder. The statement comes early in the film directed at his uncle who lets Cassius live in the garage for a rental fee. It is ironic in nature since Cassius is indeed a part of his family however it is aimed to demonstrate the spirit of the film. In that, it showcases how greed in a capitalistic society allows for unfairness to prevail oppressing the lower class while the rich get richer.
“This is telemarketing. We're not mapping the fucking human genome here. I don't care if you have experience for this. I'll hire damn near anyone.”
The satirical tone of the film makes commentary on problems in our society while also foreshadowing the events in the story. The assertion made when Cassius applies for the job illustrates how the capitalist system pays more attention to profits rather than proficiency. The joke made by Anderson that the job is not that complicated using engineering the human genome as a metaphor becomes ironic when indeed the company does that in secret.
