America has fought many battles with many countries but
still is fighting within. For a
country founded on life, liberty and the
pursuit of justice and equality, why is the difference in skin color such a
pervasive issue throughout its history? Never is it more clear than watching
the new movie BlackKkKlansman.
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| John David Washington |
As soon as the movie came out, I knew I had to see it.
Having many friends that are black and minorities, this issue has always
touched a nerve in me. People are all God’s children so I have never understood
the need to judge each other based on one God given gene. Genetics is pre-determined,
not man’s choice. So many that are racist are more comfortable being around a
white criminal than a black professional. It is baffling.
Going to the movie on the very first weekend this new movie was out was exciting to me. The lead actor in the movie is none other than star
Denzel Washington’s son, John David Washington. Thinking that would be a draw alone, the inside theater we were seated in was one of the smallest ones they had in the
cinema. Next, to my astonishment, the
only other person that attended the Saturday evening showing, one of the most
popular times to go to the movies, was one other person,
one individual alone seated in the back of the theater as if he wanted no one else
to see him.
Watching this film was taking us back to a period in time
when prejudices were front and center. There was no need to hide it because it
was considered acceptable and anything went. There was a total lack of respect
of black individuals in society and this story was true. The degradation this
police officer had to endure is down right inexcusable. All was laughed at and allowable because he
was at the level viewed as an animal. Somehow he managed to hold his head high
and deal with it.
How is this permissible, I said to myself watching the
movie. As a white woman, once again, I found it troubling to watch. I was embarrassed
and nauseous that any human being let alone an entire race is blatantly treated
like this in America. Seeing children ridiculed for being something other than
white is cruel and so unlike what the country was founded on. Hate does not
further the principles of democracy, justice or unity as we are, if nothing
else, the "United" States. How can that label be retained if we continue tearing
apart the foundation of each other?
Watching the film brings together the fact that it has again
become totally acceptable to degrade blacks. David Duke is acceptable and
praised again. His followers can be embraced and freely march hating all blacks
and wishing them death as the inferior race. Wearing hoods is not even needed
in America anymore as our President has deemed White Supremacists as good
people. Yet, as a black American how it must feel to be targeted as a N@gg#*, spit
at, shot at when unarmed, given longer sentences for the same crimes white
folks do, have crosses burned in their yards, and on and on must be horrific. And then to hear some white Americans say racism does not exist in America. Walk a few days in their shoes! White supremacy does not advance America. Racism pulls America back to a dark period and when one of us is weakened, all of us are.
I felt this movie was a punch in the gut for everyone,
white, black, Hispanic, Asian, Jewish. Anyone
who is different or hates discrimination will feel unnerved from the movie and
renewed passion for standing up for those who are being blacklisted,
literally and figuratively. Those that don’t understand the price others pay
for racial profiling and the harm that is done by its aftereffects keep your
head in the sand or watch this movie. Ignorance is not bliss. Your lack of understanding of the far greater ramifications of building hatred of blacks and the lasting effect it will have on black children is on you! All God's children are prized. And a black Klansman is far less dangerous
than a white one.
