Lessons from Selma *Spoiler Alert*
The movie ‘Selma’ which was released in January, is a movie based on the voting right marches led by Martin Luther King Jr. and several others, in 1965. This movie was released at a very convenient time. A time where hashtags are more valued than lives, and the media feeds us stories with “Us vs Them” headlines.
It was extremely graphic as expected, but necessary. Unless people do the research on American history, not many know all the in depth details of it and how gruesome/violent it truly was. Many will say to people of colour to “Get over it”, but will shield their eyes when watching the violence on screen. A woman in front of my seat, covered her eyes for every violent scene that would come up. When a white man was beaten to death, herself and many others in the theatre, gasped loudly and some teared up. Although the movie starred Martin Luther King Jr as the main character, it was not just about him. The audience was given a peak into the main character’s lives, seeing them at their weakest and strongest; making them relatable. I wish there was more focus on MLK though because he was the leader in the march. The director was sure to have MLK’s lowest points on film, showing us that he was accused of cheating, and that he was pushed around a lot when making tough decisions. But yet there was not many scenes of him making powerful speeches to those whom marched with him. Was it all a coincidence? Or was the director trying to show us that even MLK was human and made mistakes?
I believe we will be seeing many movies about revolution and anarchy. But I do not believe that they will all be advertised the same or be given the same amount of attention. For example, “The Hunger Games – Mocking Jay Part 1” was released last year in November. The movie was advertised on major billboards, T.V. channels, and during other movies. But “Selma” was kept very much under the rug. Both movies are about revolution and standing up for what’s right but only one was praised and advertised properly. And remember, “Selma” is based on true events, history that actually occurred. Does the media really only advertise what is important? Or what matters to the “public” eye? If all movies and events were advertised/published with the same amount of dedication and attention, hashtags based off of who is important wouldn’t even exist.
When the jury of Mike Brown came out to international news, the world freaked. Many were outraged while others couldn’t understand why it was a big deal. A vigil was put together for Mike Brown, here in Ottawa; I with a friend and others attended. The even was created via social media and the word spread. And yet with all the efforts that went into putting the vigil together, the only part of it that was published to the public was the actual planning of the event. Which takes away from the event and its purpose all together.
Headlines the next day showed that the people who created the event, were demanding those who were not black to stay out of the camera’s lenses. Those who created the event asked this because they wanted those who were mostly affected by the jury to speak to the media outlets. But the non people of colour would not allow this. They were outraged and complained about this rule before and after the event took place. In the end every one got along just fine. But the only part about the vigil that made headlines was the misunderstanding on social media. Why is it that the media plays up the “Us vs Them” headline so much? If we are all equal beings and all matter, why push us? When movies like “Selma” and “The Hunger Games” are released, it is to remind people that we are all to be treated equally, and not give in to what the media wants. But how are we as beings suppose to stand in unity when not all forms of unity are advertised?
Are we truly all equal? Do all lives really matter? If they did, we would not have to express our feelings with hashtags and bash each other on social media when we stand together for what is right. All movies and movements should be published the same if we all matter, fiction or not.
About the author
Tika Rochell is a journalism student at the University of Ottawa. She enjoys writing as a hobby that comes naturally to her and uses it to her advantage. By blogging her every day life as a student, model and hard working woman, Tika is able to relate to all of her readers.