"The Matrix: Racism, Revelation and Revolution in Modern Day Society"

Lisia Aikens

Co-Presenters: Wenmi Severino

College: College of Business and Public Management

Major: BA.PUBADMIN

Faculty Research Mentor: Mirabella, Roseanne  

Abstract:

The Matrix: Racism, Revelation, and Revolution in Modern SocietyHow do dominant belief systems shape what societies accept as normal, fair, and inevitable?This research examines The Matrix as a metaphor for understanding systemic racism and theinfluence of dominant belief systems in structuring modern public life. Although the film presentsa fictional world controlled by artificial intelligence, it also reflects how political and institutionalsystems construct social realities that influence perceptions of race, authority, and power. Byinterpreting the “Matrix” as a symbol of embedded belief structures within governance and publicinstitutions, this study bridges popular culture with public administration discourse.The purpose of this research is to analyze how moments of awakening in the film parallel therecognition of racial injustice and the questioning of prevailing social assumptions. Usingqualitative cultural analysis grounded in Critical Issues in Public Administration, the studyexamines themes of authority, compliance, resistance, and liberation. Through close analysis ofkey scenes and character arcs, the research identifies parallels between fictional revelation and thedevelopment of civic awareness, institutional accountability, and public responsibility.The findings suggest that dominant belief systems operate not only through policy and law butalso through normalized assumptions that shape public perception. By connecting storytelling togovernance, this research demonstrates how critical awareness can challenge institutionalinequities and encourage transformative leadership. The project contributes to conversations aboutethical public administration, equity-centered reform, and the responsibility of leaders to recognizeand dismantle systemic injustice. Future research may expand this framework by applying similaranalysis to additional cultural narratives that examine power and institutional control.Keywords: Dominant Belief Systems, Public Administration, Systemic Racism, Governance,Institutional Power