27-01-2015, 07:15 PM
(This post was last modified: 27-01-2015, 08:52 PM by Peter Lemkin.)
Until two hours ago I'd not seen the film Selma. I knew about it - even that it had recently been nominated for Best Picture. I remember the actual events. I and my family were active in the Civil Rights Movement and followed ever bit of it in detail. My father was a marshal at the 1963 March On Washington and I was there with him. I was not at Selma - but I followed the news of it with my family as it happened. I just finished watching this amazing film - amazing not only in the true story that unfolds in it, but by the unusually great craft of filmmaking it is. The viewer is brought in and becomes a participant in history. Sadly, the filmmaker was not nominated for best director. She however will, I hope, bask in the light when this film wins, as it should, best picture. I don't usually care much about the Oscars and the hype of Hollywood - but this year I do. IF this film can win, as it should, hands down, tens of millions of Americans and others around the World will relive this quintessentially important moment in US history. It was a milestone in winning freedom, justice and dignity for all...but that journey has not ended. They killed Dr. King, but what he stood for is not realized yet. He was murdered by the FBI, Military Intelligence and racist and fascist thugs in high office and with no office. While his murder is not part of the film, it does mention it, and may start people thinking and reading. I strongly suggest everyone watch this movie, even if you think you know the story of the March from Selma. It is shameful that no major film has been made before this one on Dr. King and his role in American and World history. May it be the first of many.
The real lesson of the film transcends that moment, that movement, race, nation, beliefs. That lesson is that power NEVER exceeds anything WITHOUT DEMAND (of the PEOPLE!). If we want things, we must DEMAND them - and if not granted them and they are just, we must seize them for ourselves. The People are the Sovereign, and in the growing police state that is American since 9-11, many reversals of hard won freedoms, rights and justice have been reversed. A film like this can make a start to reverse the reversal. I give this film fifteen stars out of ten.
The real lesson of the film transcends that moment, that movement, race, nation, beliefs. That lesson is that power NEVER exceeds anything WITHOUT DEMAND (of the PEOPLE!). If we want things, we must DEMAND them - and if not granted them and they are just, we must seize them for ourselves. The People are the Sovereign, and in the growing police state that is American since 9-11, many reversals of hard won freedoms, rights and justice have been reversed. A film like this can make a start to reverse the reversal. I give this film fifteen stars out of ten.
"Let me issue and control a nation's money and I care not who writes the laws. - Mayer Rothschild
"Civil disobedience is not our problem. Our problem is civil obedience! People are obedient in the face of poverty, starvation, stupidity, war, and cruelty. Our problem is that grand thieves are running the country. That's our problem!" - Howard Zinn
"If there is no struggle there is no progress. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and never will" - Frederick Douglass
"Civil disobedience is not our problem. Our problem is civil obedience! People are obedient in the face of poverty, starvation, stupidity, war, and cruelty. Our problem is that grand thieves are running the country. That's our problem!" - Howard Zinn
"If there is no struggle there is no progress. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and never will" - Frederick Douglass