Michelle Alexander Last night I saw the film 12 Years A Slave. Go see it. Dont wait for it to come out on DVD, and dont just read the reviews about it. Go see it. I didnt think it could possibly live up to the rave reviews its received and, to be honest, I generally hate movies about slavery, so I wasnt that excited to see the film. But I am so glad I did. There is one scene in the film that Ill never forget. Solomon is hanging by a rope from a tree, having been strung up after challenging his overseer. His toes are just barely touching the ground, and hes struggling for his life - struggling to hold his body up so his neck will not snap. At first, youre captivated by his struggle, but then you begin to notice whats happening around him. Other slaves are just going about their business, ignoring him. Kids are playing a few yards away. Life is going on around him, per usual, as though nothing is happening. Solomon hangs there alone, squirming, tortured, until finally his master arrives and cuts him down. As I watched this scene, I was struck by what a powerful metaphor it is for racial injustice today. Who do we allow to be strung up, virtually dangling from a tree, struggling for survival, while we go about our business? How long will we let them hang? Are we waiting for master to come cut em down?
Posted on: Mon, 11 Nov 2013 21:31:34 +0000
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