One could feel that this film was passionately put together by its director Ava DuVernay, who did an amazing job at shocking the nerves of moviegoers from the very beginning with the tragic Birmingham, Alabama, bombing where four little girls were killed while attending church services. The scene was an immediate eye-popper that naturally drew you into what came next.
What came next was countless calls from MLK (played by actor David Oyelowo), to LBJ (played by actor Tom Wilkinson) and vice versa, setting the plot of the story that was based around Blacks being able to register to vote without hesitation, discrimination, and human body violation.
I watched Dr. King, and his group leaders use pristine strategy in structuring their organization of followers to join the fight for equality and justice for all. It reminded me of our nation's current plight of black victimization by the hands of white law enforcement, and how the masses continue to protest everyday as a means of bringing awareness to this issue that'll hopefully mold into a resolution.
In the movie there were those that didn't understand why MLK's non-violent strategy could work, and why anyone would put their livelihood on the line to meet death. But MLK had an "if you don't stand for something then you'll fall for anything" kind of approach, to the matter of segregation and rampant racism.
The act of slavery that proliferated within America, wasn't right and was brought on by ignorance and fierce hatred which kept minorities oppressed and in bondage for centuries.
Just in knowing this fact is enough to understand why MLK, and others fought vociferously against those doing the oppressing, without their efforts many minorities would've been subjugated back to the hellish slavery chains of inequality -- therefore, not enjoying the equal rights that we enjoy today and are currently fighting fiercely to keep.
The film showcased White's that didn't take kindly to King, telling the truth about who the oppressors were while shining light on their racist strategy; they felt he was stirring the pot by pitting one race against the other.
But MLK didn't start the war between the races as that war had long begun when the Pilgrims happened upon the Americas, where the Indigenous people already had claim. This race war has been a constant battle in our nation's history due to those who believe that one race is superior over another.
The movie came to a close as Martin Luther King Jr., gave a chilling speech in front of the Alabama Capitol building where Governor "Segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever" Warren, ruled at that time.
Dr. King led a crowd of thousands as he spoke his controversial conscious words, to the people and too Governor Warren -- giving light to the vicious cycle that continues to repeat itself throughout history; white privilege.
MLK educated those listening in front of the Capitol that day, that he firmly comprehended the strategy of how wealthy white men keep poor white men on their side through an appeasement process; the notion that even if one is without riches favorability is guaranteed over other races, due to one's non-existent melanin.
Today in the 21st century, white privilege continues to pervade the United States of America -- not in all places, but in many high places.
What do I mean? If you are a person of color that happens to be employed by a company, one day take the time to look around you. Familiarize yourself with the faces of the people that run the company starting with the CEO, and slowly work yourself down the chain of command; did you notice any Black leaders?
Certain Republicans in Congress, like to use the phrase that minorities simply lack the "skill-set" needed to obtain high paying salaried positions, but this is simply an assumption used to dismiss the lack of diversity within leadership roles.
If a person wasn't aware of this carefully crafted game they'd constantly think that their immaculate skills and education simply wasn't good enough, not comprehending that their skin color diluted their chances from the very beginning. And all that's left is hope of a crack in the foundation, accidentally overlooked by the oppressor so that one can attempt to slip through uninterrupted and unnoticed; institutionalized racism is slavery in the 21st century.
If you haven't viewed this amazing piece of work that is 'Selma', it'd be worth your while to do so; the comparison of back then verses now is mind-blowing. The past is the present -- take a closer look.
2015 LA
