In Charlie Brookers' The Black Mirror series he strives to create a twilight zone effect in each episode, specifically the "White Bear" episode. In a society where torture and abuse is viewed as entertainment, Victoria Skillane is trapped like an animal in a zoo in this population of people who view her abuse as entertainment. This fictional episode displays the same kind of abuse that Vietnam Vets and African Americans faced during the 60s-70s. This abuse not only was viewed as acceptable, but it was an activity for many. This abuse and ridicule soon became the glue that bonded both of these groups together.

The Vietnam War in the United States is still a sensitive topic for many, and for decades has been an extremely tender topic. The Vietnam War was the longest war in American History as well as the most frowned upon. Due to an estimated 2 million Vietnamese deaths, and nearly 60,000 American deaths, this was a factor that fueled the fire of the unpopularity of this war (The Vietnam War). The homecoming for many Vietnam Veterans was not the typical homecoming that has been implemented and respected by many. Many Vietnam Veterans became the point of attack for the unpopular war that the United States was involved with. This attack on Vietnam Veterans included slurs, physical abuse, restrictions, and rejection (Stauffer). Many people on the outside did not know the struggle that many of the veterans went through, including seeing close brothers in the combat zone killed by hand-to-hand combat. Both sides faced extensive casualties which had an immense effect on the morale of all of the soldiers fighting. Many of these Vietnam Veterans found strength in each other which helped in the transition from soldier to civilian. With the Vietnam Veterans Wall being built, many Veterans found peace in this memorial to honor those who shed blood for our country, and also reacquainted many who fought side by side (Stauffer). The abuse and ridicule from many of the outliers who never went through any of the pain that these veterans felt, was the glue of what kept these men and women going at the time (Stauffer). This pain bonded these Veterans together stronger at a time when honor, courage, and commitment was frowned upon. Today, Veterans from the Vietnam War are treated with much more respect and honor as opposed to the amount that they received during the time period of the Vietnam War. Congressman Jeff Miller stated "Every generation has been asked to make its own sacrifices to protect the values America stands for, but only the veterans of the Vietnam War were asked to do so much without the support of a grateful nation. Thankfully, today is different, we do not let the politics of war cloud the memories that honor the valor of those who serve". Miller's comments are not only true, but also extremely honorable as well. With the treatment of these Veterans being much better in today's times, this brings the bond between them stronger as they now have the support of the people in their sacrifice. Horrific circumstances have a way of uniting people, there is a mutual understanding between the group they all experienced. No two veterans had the same experience but the general mistreatment overall was felt by every single veteran and it brought them together. The situation that the Vietnam Veterans faced was very similar to the situation that many African-Americans faced in the mid 1900s.

Martin Luther King Jr. was an extraordinary figure due to his ability to bring people together using his charisma and rhetoric. In Martin Luther King Jr.'s "World House" he packs an immense amount of information in such a short period of time, using examples of the human race as a whole and it's ability to crumble under certain circumstances. His ability to pack all this information is incredible and connects to his ability to bring individuals together under a time of racism and hate. He states that mankind as a whole will not be able to survive under the circumstances that have been occurring in the 60s; the same time period of the Vietnam War (Martin Luther King Jr). Martin Luther King Jr. stressed how we must come together, because as a society, we depend on each other for human survival. Martin Luther King Jr. States that "Racism can well be that corrosive evil that will bring down the curtain on Western civilization". During this time period when African-Americans faced ridicule, hate, physical abuse, they came together as one with hopes to one day end the hatred and begin the human trend of looking at each other as human beings regardless of race, ethnicity or religion (Martin Luther King Jr). Over the past 200 years, racism has been a serious and extensive problem in our country. Dating back to the 1800s, African Americans were used as slaves and transported to the United States in wooden ships where they were grouped together in cabins like sardines. White Americans at this time thought it was acceptable due to the culture at that time. While many Americans viewed this as entertainment and a source of work, African Americans viewed this as torture and disrespect. With the horrific events going on, African Amercians' bonded in unimaginable ways such as signing on farms while working, and even helping each other escape. One particular figure, Harriet Tubman, helped exactly 70 slaves during the Civil War. With this sense of deterimanation, Figures such as Tubman and King were proof that such culturally horrific circumstances bring together groups in order to thrive and survive as a whole.

Discrimination against race, particularly African Americans, will be seen for the rest of time and as awful is that is, there isn't much that can alter this outcome. Even today there is much discrimination, but it continues to unite the people suppressed. Although there actions may not be warranted, the black community, also joined by others, have formed mass riots and protests in multiple cities over the past couple years to end police brutality against their race. In addition to the riots, multiple videos have gone viral to sweep the nation into action and pull those certain individuals off the force and into the hands of justice. It is certainly not the best way to go about finding a resolution, but their suppression over the centuries has built an unprecedented bond that is powerful and lasting. 

Both the Veterans of the Vietnam War and African Americans faced cruel and unusual punishments for situations that they could not control. With both of these groups facing such hate and ridicule, they bonded together as one to survive. They used the negative aspects to their advantage to grow and spread the positivity and grow as a country. Without these situations that took place, there would be no growth and advancement in society and culture. To this day, many groups still face racism, ridicule, and hate for unknown reasons. Groups are taking unprecedented steps to help control the situation and continue to grow and spread positivity across the world.

The hate and ridicule shown in the episode of The Black Mirror help make connections between the treatment of Vietnam Veterans and Martin Luther King Jr.'s goal to end racism and bring the people together as one. With both groups being targeted and attacked for factors that they are unable to control, they come together as one to strengthen and begin making strides to end the hate. Both MLK and Vietnam Veterans used this hate and ridicule as a glue to join together and take matters into their own hands.

