1957 Documentary On Race In America

Researching America's history I came across a documentary titled, 'A Series on Changing Neighborhoods' by Dynamic Films Inc. 

The video footage was taken back in 1957 in Levittown, Pennsylvania, which is midway between Philadelphia, PA and Trenton, NJ. The comment and analysis was done by Professor Dan W. Dodson, Director Center for Human Relations and Community Studies, School of Education, New York University.

I felt it was important to post this piece of history because it's indicative of the 21st century.

In the documentary it displayed a typical family friendly neighborhood that became extremely tense when new neighbors arrived. The new neighbors were the Myers, a college educated married couple with two children. What made the Myers stand out to their neighbors wasn't the fact that they were college educated and married, but instead the brown hue of their skin is what caused an uproar within the white middle class community.

Various neighbors were interviewed on the basis of their feelings, in regards to the Myers moving into the community. There were progressive neighbors and there were racist neighbors, which I felt the racist neighbors were simply misinformed and were raised to be prejudice. 

It was most interesting when one of the neighbors actually stated that a black family would "bring home property values down" if they were allowed to reside in the community!

Another neighbor came to the Myers' rescue stating that the "Myer's have nothing to do with property values increasing or decreasing, it's a white problem not a negro problem. The majority group will influence property value not the minority."

The narrator then goes on to say, "If a negro family can afford what you can afford, how do you justify your feelings of superiority?"

I see the elephant in the room do you? It's called superiority. That's the problem. A person shouldn't ever feel that they're superior over anybody, otherwise the racist cycle will continue. This video is way deep.

2013 LA

'42' - Movie Review

'42' was written and directed by Brian Helgeland, and is a film that literally pulls on the heart strings of your most extreme emotions. This movie gives a riveting contrast of extreme love verses extreme hate, and forces you to embark into the dark past of American history.

Actor Chadwick Boseman played Jackie Robinson, the first African American player in Major League Baseball in American history. 

The film begins with young Robinson narrating his life story up until his present day of 1945, in which the storyline plays out and the plot thickens. 

Robinson received his first chance to play in the major leagues as a first base Brooklyn Dodger on April 15, 1947. Although the oppressive environment in which he lived could have easily deterred him, the extreme love he received from his wife played by Nicole Beharie, seemed to pull him through the roughest patch of extremely hateful moments thus proving that love indeed conquers all.

The story focuses mainly on the 1947 Brooklyn Dodger season and gives you a detailed view of why Jackie Robinson, was the best at what he did. 

My personal favorite moment was when Robinson would fake out the pitchers as a way of getting to the next base. I had never before seen a fake out like that in baseball!

It made me prideful that Robinson and his wife never bowed down to segregation and racism, but instead faced it head on and starred it straight in the eyes. Because of the Robinson's efforts, currently in the 21st century there are more minorities in Major League Baseball than ever before!

Actor Harrison Ford who played Branch Rickey, a Major League Baseball executive and manager who was responsible for signing Robinson to the Brooklyn Dodgers, was unapologetic as he took on the controversy he had caused while reminding movie goers that it only takes one "good" person to break a barrier. 

This was an intense, highly emotional, but very informative film. Anyone who loves history and a great baseball story should go see this movie.

2013 LA