"THE GREAT DEBATERS" is a movie filmed in 2007, produced by Oprah Winfrey, and tells the story of a black teacher who, in 1935, inspired his students, in a rebel act, to form their school’s first debate team and compite with white people. After win a lot of matchs, they go for the national championship. A challenge that was never seen before, and that was transmited by radio to all over America, turning this project, this win, in a big memorable step for the history of black people.
All the film, is based on the true story of Melvin B. Tolson, a professor of Wiley College, in Texas. Melvin was a poet, educator, columnist, and politician. He worked principally on the experience of African American people.
I really wanted you to see this movie because of three principall things.
First, because it talks about the black people and they fight for civil rights in America, that is related to Marthin Luther King readings in class.
"An unjust law is no law at all.’ Which means I have a right, even a duty to resist. With violence or civil disobedience". -
Do you remember this?
Second, because there are a lots of interestings things like, for example... Do you know who Willie Lynch was? Lynch was a slave owner. In 1800, the colony of Virginia were having trouble controlling their slaves, so they sent Mr. Lynch to teach them his methods, his diabolical methods, so, the word lynching came from his last name. Or,
"Denigrate. From the Latin word 'niger', to defame, to blacken.
It's always there, isn't it? Even in the dictionary. Even in the speech of a Negro professor.
Somehow, 'black' is always equated with failure."
And third, because is a motivational movie, that teach us about how to argue, about how to be persistent with our purposes, and there is a lot of emotions, feelings and shocking moments that will keep you attending to the screen in every single moment. Here is the trailer, so you'll understand everything.
"Majorities do not decide what is right or wrong"
Are you agree?
Is the civil desobedience a correct way to change the world?
When is the time for justice, for freedom, for equality? It is right now?
Here is the link. I really, really, hope that you see this movie, you will not regret :)!!
I really want to see the movie!!
ReplyDeleteDenzel Washington and Forest Whitaker are both excellent actors, a debate team?, in Harvard?, yes I will watch it!
When I read the book of Martin Luther King I was also motivated with his ideals and his fight for the Civil Right Movement, I think is great that the movie is inspired in a true story…
The quote you put is from the movie!,
The king said: "There are just laws and there are unjust laws. I would agree with St. Augustine that an unjust law is no law at all... One who breaks an unjust law must do it openly, lovingly...I submit that an individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and willingly accepts the penalty by staying in jail to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the very highest respect for law."
I couldn`t understand the link with Willie Lynch. He is in the movie too?
In the previous post of Patricia about the Apartheid, I comment something about Mandela.
”…every black people must have an identification card, and in the peak of Apartheid, Nelson Mandela, as a symbol of manifestation, ripped apart his card and burnt it. He was imprisoned for 27 years, and his spirit wasn`t decline, he studied by mail through an extern program from the University of London and got his Bachelor degree in Law. After that he won the Nobel Peace prize and he became the first black president of South Africa. I think that no much people would do the same, I admire his strong conviction and the apparent lack of fear, just to make a point and defend his beliefs”
You can see my actual post; I talked about actions and words too. I think that we have to do things, not just wait to things happen
I like a lot that movie, mainly because of the reasons that you mentioned. Furthermore, it's interesting to watch movies that show the pain and suffering of black people, but I think it's more positive to watch the ones that show how they try to change their reality and achieve their goals.
ReplyDeleteAbout the civil desobedience, I think that many times it's really necessary because sadly, the persons who are in charge (politicians) don't listen the "the voice of the people", even if they say that talking we can solve the problems. In that cases, we need the force to fight for our rights. We can't wait for tomorrow to do it, we need to do it now, before the problems get worse.