After a very long day of thought provoking discussions and interactions, I decided to go and catch a movie, 12 Years a Slave. I was less shocked by the gory graphics of the film, than by the reaction of many young black people to this movie. I know I shouldn’t be ear hustling on people’s conversation but I couldn’t help myself standing there listening to this guys, exclaim with disgust how “they did too much with this movie, it’s not that serious, slavery is over”. And I couldn’t help think to myself, how serious it truly is. Having visited the Holocaust museum here in DC many times, one message that is drilled in the minds of all visitors is simply “Never Forget”. The national slogan for the events of 9/11 “Never Forget”. How does everyone else recognize the importance of “Never Forgetting” the atrocities committed against them, except for black people? How is this movie, a much needed reminder “doing too much”? It is NOT DOING ENOUGH. I may sound old but I remember participating in black heritage competitions and activities as a child. I remember the emphasis placed on black history month and understanding our past in this country; I never forgot it. My remembering does not evoke violence or hatred but drives positive action in my life. I’ve learned to pursue and value education and wake up every day trying to purpose myself to do something positive because I remember the people who went through hell to afford me such opportunities. I’m not just talking about those that directly suffered through slavery but also those who have had to survive in this country, subject to the subsequent indirect effects as well. I mean people like most of our mothers, grandparents, the ones we have known in our lifetimes; it wasn’t that long ago. So, yeah, for me, this movie is not doing enough. Maybe a consistent showing of films like this will help bring that fire back to our community, because I am totally with Lauryn, I don’t know where it went. I don’t profess to be above anyone, nobody is perfect and I surely don’t pretend to be; but how perfect, and how powerful, would it be, if each day, we all woke up and simply pursue our purpose, because I am willing to bet, everything I have, that our purpose is far and beyond what many of us generally display. We seriously need to DO BETTER….reconnect with our past…..embrace our history and allow it to inform our future…. IJS
Posted on: Sat, 19 Oct 2013 05:33:32 +0000
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