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 Reconciling ‘The Help’ With the HistoryPosted on Aug 14, 2011
The time is the mid-’60s. The place is Jackson, Miss. The principal activity in the movie consists of a young woman named Skeeter (Emma Stone) persuading the town’s black maids to recall the racism visited on them by the mostly young white women for whom they work as domestics. The aim, ultimately, is to write a book exposing the genteel, but deadly, patronization that slowly wearies their souls. From this conceit Kathryn Stockett fashioned “The Help,” a mighty best-selling novel that screenwriter-director Tate Taylor has now turned into an episodic and rather inert movie. The white women, Skeeter aside, are mostly airheads, preoccupied by their bridge games and cotillions, and by providing separate but equal bathroom facilities for the women who work for them. They actually visit more outright contempt on Celia (Jessica Chastain), an outlander who lacks all domestic graces until she is taken in hand by Octavia Spencer’s Minny, who basically teaches her how to fry chicken and keep house for her clueless husband. Minny is more or less typical of the film’s black population. She is patient, wise and essentially a silent witness to the nonsense of her white mistress, who turns out to be more educable than the rest of her sisters. Minny will win her for righteousness simply by showing what to do around the house, not by moralizing about how she should behave. But the center of the film (and the chief reason for seeing it) is Viola Davis as Aibileen, who works for Hilly (Bryce Dallas Howard), by far the meanest of the ladies who lunch. Aibileen is a third generation maid, a woman who has loved all the children she has cared for and raised—including Hilly’s child, whom she is determined to save from her mother’s ignorant folly. She is a patient, silent, watchful woman, yet she is also the first responder to Skeeter’s plea for an interview that will tell the real story of The Help. She also recruits the rest of the women who tell the inside stories that compose the best-selling book that Skeeter eventually writes. There is some melodrama in their tales, though most of them are told rather than acted out before us, and a little bit of quiet revenge as well. And when Aibileen finally opens up, her long-withheld passions tumble forth not so much with force of revelation but in the matter-of-fact voice that marked Davis’ performance in the film’s early going. They are the more powerful for her restraint. Yet “The Help,” despite her efforts, and those of the generally excellent cast, does not quite come off. We see the effects of the steady drip-drip-drip of unthinking prejudice. We appreciate the occasional rebellious acts of Jackson’s underclass, and the murder of Medgar Evers adds a note of real-world urgency to the storyline. But it is not quite a game-changer. The movie is, for all its well-made slickness and sniping racism, too genteel. It is aimed at a feel-good ending. Skeeter’s book is published and it briefly discomfits Hilly and her friends. But you don’t feel it changes them in any meaningful way—with the possible exception of Skeeter’s mom (Allison Janney), who at last comes to appreciate her daughter’s independent spirit. The movie rarely gets at the things that truly hurt and distort the relationships between an upper class and an underclass. It is all hominy grits instead of true grit, aiming finally at a foretold reconciliation that rings false. There has to be a lingering suspicion (and hatred) that “The Help” cannot bear to contemplate. It wants us to believe that all involved learned their costly lessons in the Mississippi of 50 years ago. And maybe on the surface that is true. But long-held silences hurt and scar—and abide—while manipulated happy endings simply leave audiences applauding smugly, as they did at the showing of “The Help” I attended: “Oh, good—that worked out nicely, didn’t it?” Well, I don’t think that’s so. Few are alive who lived in Mississippi a half century ago. And doubtless most of them have made their peace with the bad old days. But in their sleepless nights I suspect that the pain and stupidity that the black women suffered in that time and place are not entirely silenced—much as Ms. Stockett and Mr. Taylor wish that they were so. History falsified is, in some ways, worse than no history at all. Richard Schickel, whose celebrated and prolific career spans 50 years, has been the film critic for Time and Life magazines, has written more than 20 books and has produced, written and directed numerous documentaries. Advertisement Previous item: The Story Behind ‘Gun Hill Road’ Next item: Worms and Fishes New and Improved CommentsIf you have trouble leaving a comment, review this help page. Still having problems? Let us know. If you find yourself moderated, take a moment to review our comment policy. |
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By Mircea, January 12, 2012 at 5:08 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
This is an incredible film that not only pays justice
Report thisto the bestseller on which it’s based (according to
those who have read the book AND seen the film), but
is phenomenally cast, with exceptional performances
by Viola Davis, Emma Stone, Octavia Spencer, Bryce
Dallas Howard and Allison Janney. Veteran actresses
Sissy Spacek and Cicely Tyson also deliver incredible
performances. While Tyson’s character is central to
the storyline, her role comprises what seems to be a
few, precious minutes of the 2:20 running time, she
delivers, in my opinion, one of the most powerful and
moving moments in the film…one in which she doesn’t
even utter a line (trust me, you’ll know when you see
it.)
By Jacoby, September 8, 2011 at 2:18 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
You know what, I’m very much icnilned to agree.
Report thisBy Psicjologa, August 19, 2011 at 12:27 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
I agree with BobZ. Margaret Mead stated, “Never doubt that a small group of
Report thisthoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that
ever has.”. Although we had a Civil Rights Act, it was the Skeeters and Abileens of the
south who made changes through their small, individual acts of courage.
By bowwowboy, August 18, 2011 at 5:38 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
A basic courtesy when responding to a critic’s comments
Report thisis to at least spell his or her name correctly. Clue:
in this case, it’s bolded in red at the top of the
review. S-C-H-I-C-K-E-L. Petty? Maybe. I confess
that this is probably a sore point for me because every
few weeks I get mail addressed to some strange
orthographic variant of my name. Still, I imagine that
Mr. Schickel is puzzled when those who accuse him of
getting the details of the film he reviewed wrong show
similar carelessness when mangling a surname that is
clearly on display in front of them.
By Cheryl's Truth, August 18, 2011 at 11:39 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Schickle, you were a bit sloppy in your review! Aghast Aiblene didn’t work for “the evil” Miss Hilly but for the evil, spineless, climber Miss Elizabeth Leefolt. It is the mute, fearful and miserable climbers to nowhere exceptthe hell of their own making that keep the world going round. Pay attention and don’t point the attention to the caricatures, often played “camp” (as in the movie) to avert blame from oneself, or that stimulate the question - “not everybody was that evil,” but point to the Miss Leefolts in so many places that are damned when they do and damned when they don’t.
Report thisBy bowwowboy, August 18, 2011 at 12:30 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
I saw the film and enjoyed it primarily because of
the performances—-particularly, as Mr. Schickel
notes, Viola Davis’s. She and some of the other cast
members are so powerful on screen that any objections
may seem mere quibbles. Not so, alas. This is yet
another example of skilled actors transcending their
material. The film’s ending is not as patly
optimistic as Mr. Schickel claims, but I think the
catharsis it offers is false.
As Mr. Schickel suggests, the film runs the danger of
lulling the audience into a mood of self-
congratulation: how terrible racism was back then.
True enough. In 1968 I spent part of the summer
visiting my brother in Oxford, Mississippi. As a
(Yankee) college student/outsider, I wanted to find
out if all those horror stories about those Good Ole
Boys (and Gals) and their vicious attitudes toward
African-Americans were true.
My brother got me a job working on construction.
Remember, this was shortly after Dr. King’s
assassination. The jubilation my co-workers over his
murder so sickened me that I quit after a few days
(with a bloody nose because I mouthed off.) I also
witnessed a black man step off the sidewalk in
downtown Oxford to make way for a white man. My
brother told me the black man was “just being polite”
(i.e. he knew his place). The local theater showed
Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner? but not before
the theater owner made sure the police were on call
in the event of a (white) riot. (Nothing happened.)
I’d like to think Oxford and the rest of the country
Report thishas advanced since those days—-and it has, in many
ways. As another poster noted, many young people
don’t share the prejudices of their elders. We did
finally elect a black (mixed-race) president. But it
is naive to assume that racism is now just a
historical curiosity. I hear comments all the time about Obama that would send a pleasurable shock of recognition through my construction co-workers of yesteryear.
By MAX, August 18, 2011 at 12:30 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
I trust the reviewers opinions on the merits of his experience and I would love to be able to disagree with him. Unfortunately, too often more than not, timely books make for unfaithful representations onto the big screen. I am not sure if there was any thrust behind this at all in his review, but it sounds like he is saying that even the most faithful treatment of a book to screen wont help he transition if the book doesnt pass a certain muster test. From the sounds of it , we have jumped from the transfixing and bold stands along with the reassuring glimpses of humanity inculcated in works like ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ to Technicolor soggy bread and milk pudding that is soppy, unconvincing and an unrealistic bridge gap to our history and past. Thanks for making me think Richard Schiekel. If movies cant make me do this after I leave the theater, I can always trust a reviewer who can and often does.
Report thisBy Sophie, August 17, 2011 at 1:44 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
After reading this review, I have to wonder: did we watch the same film?
All of the women in this movie are trapped by the world they live in. Skeeter is made fun of because she isn’t already married and doesn’t fit in. Celia is trapped by suddenly having to be a “wife” without any understanding of how to do it. The white women all end up following Hilly blindly, probably out of fear. Hilly is trapped by her own nasty personality.
Someone complained that Abileen never got to state what she dreamed of being. No one even asked Elizabeth or Hilly. It is assumed that they wanted to be little mommies going to cotillions and playing bridge. Skeeter’s mom wasn’t brave enough to break that mold. The cage is much more pretty and easy, but it is not any less confining.
The black women were obviously trapped by this life. It is assumed that they will end up maids, just like the white women will be mommies.
As noted by others, Abileen did not work for Hilly. At the beginning of the film Minny worked for Hilly because she had come along with Hilly’s mother.
Celia’s husband wasn’t clueless either.
I also missed the happy ending that the reviewer somehow added to the end of the movie. Skeeter gets her opportunity to go to New York, but she also loses her boyfriend and has to leave town because of her role in the book. Abileen has loses her job and may end up in jail on false charges. There may be more fall out in the future that we don’t see because the movie ends. Since Hilly attacked Abileen it makes sense that she will eventually try to get her revenge on everyone she can.
The movie is supposed to be a glimpse into the time and place. There is no real end and nothing is resolved. The movie did not even pretend to resolve race issues in 2 hrs.
Finally, it was a book and a movie, not a documentary or research paper. They aren’t trying to be 100% accurate; they are trying to entertain and if it gets you to think a little, that is a bonus.
Report thisBy Kitschwheeler, August 17, 2011 at 1:40 pm Link to this comment
Absolutely agree with Katie. Had Schickel bothered to do his research and get his
Report thisfacts of the story straight, he may have a point to make. Since he didn’t, his
opinion isn’t worth reading.
By Older_Wiser, August 17, 2011 at 1:28 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
I think the movie would probably upset me for a
variety of reasons and nothing I would applaud.
In the very early 60s, divorced w/2 toddlers, I was a
trained secy & bookkeeper and was able to get a job
after moving back to NC (for a grand sum of $60/wk).
There were no daycare centers (few overall) I could
get to w/2 kids on a bus from my $65/mo apt and I had
no car, so I hired a young A/A woman my own age as a
babysitter. I learned that she left her own 2 kids
w/her mother, something I wasn’t able to do since my
own mother was deceased. At the time, $20/wk was the
going rate for in-home kid care, but I also paid her
bus fare. Although it took over 1/3 of my take home
pay, I had no choice, but at the same time, I felt
horrible that she was having to leave her own
children to care for mine for such a small amount.
It lasted for 6 mos before I moved and was able to
get an aunt to watch them for me.
In a few years, I was identifying with women just
like her as I joined the social movements of the
time. One of our causes was SS and a minimum wage
for household workers. I was no better than her—I
just had white skin. We were sisters under
the skin, women, mothers, and workers. Today, at 70,
I still feel that way and it’s far easier for me to
identify with all working class women who struggle to
survive just one more day than with those who have a
far more comfortable life.
Like a previous poster, though, I resist the idea
Report thisthat some humans must toil at washing out the
underwear and mopping the kitchens of others as their
personal servants. Or, at the least, should make the
same rate of pay as the people for whom they work.
By Basoflakes, August 17, 2011 at 12:39 pm Link to this comment
Following the 1979 floods in Jackson, I was there as a part of the federal mission to rebuild parts of Mississippi. After meeting with the white Mayor of Jackson, I asked to use the restroom and walked toward the restroom on the first floor. The Mayor softly said to me, “That restroom is for coloreds. You need to use the one on the second floor.”
Almost 15 years later, during federal Black Awareness Month, our Regional Director proposed to show “Driving Miss Daisy” as a tribute to African Americans. I told him the film was at best a fawning attempt to address the racism in the south and it would be better to show Spike Lee’s “Malcolm X” or “Do the right thing.” He chose to not show anything.
The point is that racism surely existed in the South at high levels in 1979 and likely exists to the same degree at those levels today everywhere.
The problems:
1.) People are taught racism at an early age. This then becomes a pervasive and never ending problem. If children are taught racism, then their children will be taught racism, and so on and so on;
2.) People are encouraged to foster racism through peer pressure. Although there is likely more of this in the south, it is everywhere;
3.) When people are taken to task about their racism, they reject it and dig their heels in deeper. My Regional Director did this and it is true that people in authority have much larger ego issues than others;
4.) As long as States condone things like using the confederate flag on license plates, people will continue to believe that racism is acceptable;
5.) When confronted with racism, like I was, people are too timid, cowardly or just unable to point it out - I’m still not sure what my problem was. While living in the south, I did point it out on several other occasions and was called “N_____ lover”. It happens all the time.
Solution: Books and films like “The Help” do little to solve the issue since the only folks to read or see it are people who are already enlightened or opened to the idea of change. What is needed is something more universal to affect those that are not so open.
The President had a great oppurtunity to effect change and he seems to be blowing it. Ms Obama could do wonders in this regard. Her focus on healthy eating is nice, and needed, but with an oppurtunity to affect change in racist behaviours, I think she should redirect her efforts. How? See below.
My first encounter with African Americans came in high school, but that was irrelevant since we had only one African American in our class of nearly 1000. My second encounter was in college - my assigned roomate was Black. He pledged Kappa that term and left shortly thereafter, so that was fleeting. But, the time we spent together was enlightening if for no other reason except it showed me that coexisting with African Americans was little different that with whites. From that time on, all the hatred and racism taught to me by my adult family members was put into perspective.
So, what is the solution? Living and working together to achieve similar goals seems to work. Yes, the old integration and equality is still the key. Now, Ms Obama, I know this is a very large task. But, I would much rather see her try and even fail at this than spending any effort at anything else.
Let me warn folks though. I married outside of my race. When my wife asked for a divorce 15 years later, one of the reasons she gave was that I was a racist. So even though you may seem enlightened and beat the taught racist thoughts, it dosen’t always work.
Fighting racism is like alcoholism or drug addiction. It has to be fought individually on a day to day basis.
Report thisBy markos, August 17, 2011 at 12:03 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
We keep replaying this black and white relationship like its racism. Its not. Its about exploiting poor people. Rich Black people are the being exploited, its poor black people. Does anyone really think this same relationship is not going on in Malaysia, Phillipines, China or India???? Addicted to drama, you people need to grow up and quit throwing pity parties.
Report thisBy BobZ, August 17, 2011 at 11:40 am Link to this comment
I think you have to take the movie for what it is, an entertaining story with a first
Report thisrate ensemble cast, and well made. it captured 1960’s in the South and while the
criticisms may be valid, in comparison to most of the tripe coming out of
Hollwood, this is a movie worth seeing. I didn’t read the book but my wife did and
she said the movie was fairly faithful to the book overall. I think maybe this movie
is being held to too high a standard. The audience who attended with me seemed
to love the movie. They all applauded at the end. That is rare. I too came of age in
the 1960’s and it took a lot of courage for whites to stand up against the racism in
the South. We still aren’t a perfect society today, but a lot of whites who grew up
like the character Skeeter, did bring about change for the better.
By KatieS, August 15, 2011 at 10:04 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
This story needs be understood in terms of of
misogyny/sexism first. There is considerable violence
to women worldwide. Modern day slaves are generally
women of all races. They are sex slaves, though
other kinds as well. When women are killed, they are
killed primarily by men, very rarely by other women.
The black women in this era were affected, though
differently, by misogyny by both black and white men.
The white women are affected by misogyny by both
black and white men, though differently.
In looking at sexism or misogyny we should not be
looking for individual narratives designed to show
how far we have come. Some of those narratives
exist, but there is danger in this approach. We
should be looking at institutional misogyny.
Worldwide misogyny affects all women of all races. A
story acknowledging that is not a feel good story.
We should also look at race. Again, finding some
individual narratives is beside the point. What can
we say about institutional racism? It is fine that
we have a minority-race president. But what do the
statistics for minorities in the United States tell
us? A very different story.
It’s fine to have individual narratives, but they
need to be understood in terms of the social
institutions of sexism/misogyny and racism. Those
institutions may have changed form slightly, but if
you look at worldwide statistics you see a very
different story. Class is another part of the story,
too.
I prefer Toni Morrison’s remarkable novel, “A Mercy”
for looking at these issues, what it means to be a
woman, what it means to be a slave, white or black,
in an earlier time, when the foundation of slavery in
the United States was being laid.
Looking at the institutional underpinnings of these
Report thisissues cannot be ignored. Compelling narratives are
possible, ones that are more painful. And more
truthful.
By UreKismet, August 15, 2011 at 6:23 pm Link to this comment
By far the worst thing about this movie is that as with so much of the pernicious twaddle that comes outta hollywood, a feeling is engendered among those who view it who haven’t experienced the reality it fails to portray, that the ‘problem’ has been solved. That whitefellas in the south may have behaved poorly towards blackfellas once, but that is in the past and we all live happily ever after now. Nothing could be further from the truth consider the lead article in CounterPunch today Michelle Bachmann’s Crazy Ideas About Black Farmers .
The rise of tea partyists is a concrete demonstration of racism continuing to fester throughout amerika.
The concept of any human having personal servants is degenerate and immoral.
I loathe oblamblam, one of the things that sickens me the most about his corrupt, anodyne administration is the way he uses racism expressed towards him even though that racism has never sliced pieces off of him in the way racism dices up most african- americans, as a lever to move shallow but right thinking amerikans to vote for him. That way oblamblam can enact more policies which will oppress unwealthy blackfellas, whitefellas, yellow fellas and everyone else who is unlucky enough to be born without the trough firmly fixed to their snout.
I hafta admit that oblams’ prezdency feels good if considered from the point of view of sticking it up those racist pr1cks but I find the cynical actions of the Wall St opportunists who engineered his candidacy far more immoral than the stup1d ninnies who continue to allow themselves to be sucked into fighting against their fellow oppressed than taking it to everyone’s enemy, the greed-heads in control.
But back to the movie, which is essentially one more effort by the crooks in charge to quietly & nicely keep racism front and center in amerikan voters minds.
The false truth this movie proposes insinuates that as long as amerikans keep on keeping on and consider racism to be most destructive when it is open and identifiable just like those on the extreme right behave towards oblamblam, then everything will be cool. Especially when a nice white woman stands ready to show those african-americans how it is done.
Yet it is cultural artifacts such as this movie which subtly distort truths about society whilst engendering a belief that the issues facing african americans are different from those facing Hispanics or poor whitefellas, which really aid the greed heads to continue in their larceny.
If Oblamblam “had a dream” it would be a dream where african amerikans were equally & proportionally represented among the super-rich. That those african amerikan greed heads could have a mob of whitefella or hispanic servants to humiliate & mis-treat.
Movies such as ‘The Help” are the greed-heads’ most effective tool in persuading humans to go along with the destruction of free & open societies. This stuff is straussian theory in action, yet few amerikans seem willing to accept that awful truth.
Report thisBy Cliff Carson, August 15, 2011 at 5:46 pm Link to this comment
“History falsified is, in some ways, worse than no history at all”.
And I might add, History falsified is not History. It has a name and it is “Spin” just another name for Lies.
Along the lines of revealing History as it is, not as it is presented, let me reveal something that would be a side issue along with this story.
I suppose one of the most vilified men in the saga of Desegregation would be Orval Faubus.
Some of you might be surprised that when he first ran for Governor of Arkansas he ran on a promise to Desegregate all the Arkansas Schools. And on his election by Arkansans, he immediately began to act on that promise.
He had a Desegregation plan drawn up by Virgil Blossom and presented that plan to the U S Court who had ruled that segregation was unconstitutional. The plan was accepted by the court and the plan was put into motion. In 1954 the first Arkansas High School was desegregated in Charleston, Arkansas. It was the first school to be desegregated in the old Confederate South. Other Arkansas Schools followed as planned and the plan was being followed as written. The plan called for the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School, ironically in 1957. But two things occurred that brought delay and animosity from all sides:
One, the Government placed into effect a law that promised a no lose proposition to any racial suit, attorneys for the plaintiffs would get paid whether their case was won or lost. This brought in those who saw gold in discrimination Lawsuits. A whole host of lawyers began to suck that manna from heaven.
Two, a U S Attorney General saw a publicity bonanza in being the crusader and got the Arkansas De-segregation plan overturned. Faubus then resisted the overturning of the Government approved plan. He became a Pariah in the Media.
In 1957 Little Rock Central was desegregated under armed guard after $Billions had been squandered and in place of a plan that had Central High School scheduled for desegregation in - 1957.
Many more $ Billions were to be made by lawyers who, to this day, still rake in the bucks from a law that had unintended consequences. And the media branded a pioneer seeking to end segregation, as History’s worst segregationist.
I wonder if we will ever see a movie about this?
Report thisBy adrienrain, August 15, 2011 at 3:53 pm Link to this comment
I haven’t seen the film yet, and feel no great
Report thisurgency to do so, but probably will see it in DVD.
So maybe my comment is way off, but sometimes
a healing myth is a good thing, so long as we
never lose sight of the evil that made it necessary.
By ardee, August 15, 2011 at 3:10 pm Link to this comment
The movie review function is not one I’d thought to find here, but whatever.
Those youth with whom I come in contact are remarkably free of racism. Not exactly statistically valid I know but hope does spring eternal.
I would remark on one significant point regarding the racist; we have, here in our midst, one such poster who makes almost blatant remarks of a racist nature. I am certain most regulars here are aware of whom I refer. I wonder at the administrations tolerance of such.
Report thisBy question, August 15, 2011 at 10:09 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Well, I’ll have to see the movie for myself, but I think even the densest among us realize that novels & movies don’t “heal” the pain & grief for those who lived through such times. The same way most WWII movies don’t touch our parents memories.
Report thisBy JDmysticDJ, August 15, 2011 at 9:59 am Link to this comment
This review reminds me of sending two small underage kids to the plate in a little league game. One kid stands at the plate letting the strikes go by, while the other kid strikes out swinging wildly. I’ll proffer that it’s better to try and fail than not to try at all.
Considering the best selling book and subsequent film failures is something I can not agree with. The book and film may not produce the results desired, but at least the book and film induced some thought by readers and viewers.
Report thisBy MeHere, August 15, 2011 at 9:45 am Link to this comment
For a quality review of this film go to:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/14/movies/black-and-white-struggle-
through-hollywoods-rosy-glow.html?ref=movies
According to the NY Times reviewer, the best film work to date on that era is a
Report thishuge documentary called “Eyes on the Prize” which was shown on PBS in 1987 and
1990. It became widely available in 2006 and Netflix has it.
By felicity, August 15, 2011 at 9:35 am Link to this comment
I heard the movie ‘reviewed’ by a black woman (a
university professor and sometime news analyst on
MSNBC.) The movie so repulsed her that had she not
made a commitment to review the thing, she would have
left before the end. Her objection, if I understood
her correctly, was how the ‘help’ was depicted -
demeaning stereotypes of the black woman.
(I recall years ago watching an episode of “All in
Report thisthe Family” with my black neighbor and good friend -
the episode when Sammy Davis Jr. visits the Bunkers.
I thought it very funny. My friend not only saw
nothing funny in it, it made her livid. Our opposite
reactions to the incident taught us both a very
valuable lesson.)
By Katie, August 15, 2011 at 9:12 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
It is hard to take your opinions seriously when you don’t have your facts straight. Aibileen Clark works for Elizabeth Leefolt, a childhood friend of both Hilly and Skeeter. Maybe you need to see the movie again.
Report thisBy JniBGood, August 15, 2011 at 8:42 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
In 1984, I had decided to support the candidacy of Jesse Jackson and had a bumper sticker on the rear bumper of my truck that Read, “Jackson for Presiden”.
As I traveled down the road one day, I noticed another truck following me. The truck approached very close, too close, and was “tailgaiting” me.
I slowed to allow the other truck to pass, but it slowed with me. I pulled over into the slow lane, and the other truck moved in behind me.
This went on for approximately one mile. Finally, the other truck pulled along side of my truck.
It was a warm, summer day, and I had my window open.
As I drove along, I looked over and observed a white male speaking intently to a little boy[about six years old] seated in the vehicle next to him.
He was shaking his head vigorously, up and down and clearly urging the boy to do something.
At first, the boy resisted, but then, he rolled down his passenger side window, looked directly at me and Yelled over to me, “N———R Lover!”
Whereupon he turned beet red, immediately sat looking straight ahead. The man, his father I think, was telling him reassuringly and proudly, “God, Boy, that’my boy, you sure showed him.”
Then the truck sped away.
Racism is a pernicious evil. It dies hard and it has to be learned, too. The boy received acceptance and approval from his father for his behavior reinforcing the racist ideations at the heart of the opposition to the Obama Presidency and the persistent racism that still permeates our country.
God help us all!
Report thisBy Robert, August 15, 2011 at 7:08 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
It’s easy for white folks to call this a so-called feel good ending. I guess from their
Report thisperspective it is. But the black woman lost her job. Something many black people can
still relate to, as not a happy ending, but a very sad and cruel example of the continued
racism in the country.
By John Sullivan, August 15, 2011 at 6:29 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Leave it to this generation to come up with a feel-good story about apartheid.
Report thisBy anna, August 15, 2011 at 6:15 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
The book was a total yawner and I put it down 1/4 of the way through. A no talent
Report thisauthor who sculpted a completely obvious story from the first sentence onward.
The reader is left only to observe a tedious and superficial crawl toward some kind
of “enlightenment.” I have no intention of watching the movie as I cannot imagine
anything worthwhile being made from such a vacuous book.
By diman, August 15, 2011 at 5:31 am Link to this comment
Yet another shallow movie, but what can you expect from one based on a “bestseller”.
Report thisBy kerryrose, August 15, 2011 at 4:59 am Link to this comment
My father was transferred to Mississippi when I was young. One day my mother gathered up all the children and flew back to Boston leaving Dad to finish it out by himself.
The reason was, my mom told me later, was something that happened at the dinner table of a client. Behind every person at the table stood a small boy who was there to fill water. My mother said the talk around the table about the ‘help’ was vicious. She noticed a couple of the boys tearing and one actually sobbing quietly. It was then that she realized that it was these boys mothers inside the kitchen that the table were relentlessly criticizing in front of their children.
Report thisBy Fibonnaci65, August 15, 2011 at 4:48 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Thank you for this, Mr. Schickle. I tried to explain my objections to the film as an American to a Canadian friend who enjoyed the film. He accused me of being far too politically correct. I should have waited for your piece and forwarded it to him. Your final sentence says it all, think I’ll hang on to it.
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