September 24, 2008 |
The other day when I woke up to the morning headlines, “10 people killed in a bombing outside the United States Embassy and Wall Street continuing to crumble” I thought to myself, “I can’t believe this is happening in my lifetime.” When I was a little girl and would listen to my grandfather’s stories about the war and the great depression, even though he is known to embellish a bit (ok, a LOT, sorry papa), I naively felt safe knowing that was history. I can no longer identify with those thoughts.
This evening I went to a screening of Spike Lee’s new movie, Miracle at St. Anna, a film based on the James McBride novel which chronicles the story of four black American soldiers who are members of the US Army as part of the all-black 92nd “Buffalo Soldier” Division stationed in Tuscany, Italy during World War II. Prior to the screening Spike Lee spoke and did a Q&A. He talked about why he made this film which explores a deeply inspiring, powerful story drawn from true history that transcends national boundaries, race, and class. He shared the difficulties of getting black American films financed and argued that executives are much more inclined to drop millions on action films, super hero stories and remake after remake.
We watched the movie and I couldn’t stop thinking. Why are so many points of view overlooked in our history books? Why is it easier to get Batman made than a piece like this? I understand Superman drives box office revenues but why is that what we prefer? Is our society completely corrupt? How have we come this far and now in 2008 face similar challenges? Yes, I know, I sound like a neurotic Jewish mother.
After the screening the lead actors, Derek Luke, Michael Ealy, Laz Alonso and Omar Benson Miller held a Q&A. They all joked a bit but got serious when discussing the value of the films content. They talked about the foreshadowing of this year’s election where, for the first time, an African-American is a major party’s choice for president. In the movie there is a scene when two of the characters argue about why they should fight and die when black Americans are oppressed back home in which the reply is “I’m doing this for my children and grandchildren.” Spike Lee thinks that the Buffalo Soldiers are part of that evolution that brought about Barack Obama.” “We had Dr. King, LBJ’s time of the Civil Rights acts, John F. Kennedy and Malcolm X. It just goes on and on,” Lee said. “It is the same hope that our ancestors had being enslaved for years but somehow we knew through going to church, singing our Negro spirituals, praying to the Almighty. We knew that one day we would get there.”
If Obama does become President I only hope that to Spike Lee’s point people believe that these rise and falls happen for a reason, a destiny. If that is the answer for what is going on in the world I’ll embrace it. As for all else in our society, I’m still feeling distraught.