Tonight I saw an important film about our nations history. About a time when whole races within our population were denied basic rights as citizens. It was about Dr. Martin Luther King, and the path he helped create in Selma, Alabama to help african Americans gain voting rights. It was incredible. Heres the story.
SELMA stars David Oyelowo as Dr. King, and it starts with an intrical piece of civil rights history, namely the bombing of the church in Alabama that killed 4 small little girls. It is the thing that spurs King to believe that to get voting rights to pass, the start of the movement must start in Selma Alabama. There he encounters what I can only call severe racism. People punch him in the face, and yell and scream. They encounter a racist pig of a sheriff, and a governor who pretends he is helpful to the poor, but doesn't recognize the poor african americans because in his words, "They always want something." This film is incredible from start to finish. And very very hard to watch. But from the acting to the directing to the script and to the sounds and sites of this journey, you are never bored. In fact, you are sort of sad.
I went to see this with my mother, who was not alive during this time, and our friends, the Duffy's who were. Mr. D was eight, and told me that he was playing in a yard when his Aunt came out and told them that Dr. King had been killed, and that they thought was the government had been involved. Mrs D. was only four at the time, but she remembered stories her mother had told her. My mom only knew things through her own parents. But what was clear, that like with President Kennedy, his death had a profound affect on everyone. Not just because he'd been a force for change, but because he showed such leadership and grace. As you watch the movie you begin to wonder what would have happened had he lived.
There is a terrific scene in the film, between Oyelowo and Stephan James who plays John Lewis. Dr. King was dejected. A minister from Boston, a white man named James Reeb had come from Boston to march with them, and was beaten by redneck killers to death. He died of head wounds. King feels awful and begins to doubt whether he can lead the group to getting what they deserve, which is the right to vote. Lewis recounts the story of first hearing King speak. About how in the middle of wanting to give up, he didn't because of what Dr. King said. While Lewis is speaking, the camera is on King, and this is where Oyelowo really delivers. The loneliness, and struggle in Kings eyes is very real. The responsibility he feels towards each person there. Each life that is being risked. You can see that it was a very very hard road for him to be on. Not just because of what they were asking for, but because King understood the very real consequences of them not getting it.
I really do think, SELMA should be seen in high schools and middle schools all over. Mostly because sometimes, reading about something is not as good as seeing it. Mr. D REMEMBERS what it was like when King died. It's important when passing down our history to kids in school that we give them something more than just words. We need to show them where we came from.
THE VERDICT
Selma is amazing, with great performances, directing, and writing. I give Selma an A.
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