On 10 May 2018, I went to an event hosted by the Antelope Valley College’s Umoja Community. At the event, I saw a screening of the film I Am Not Your Negro. The film is a documentary by Raoul Peck, which focuses on James Baldwin’s final unfinished work, “Remember This House,” which in turn focused on the history of race relations in the United States.
In graphic detail, Peck uses Baldwin’s initial writings as the foundation to complete the book through film. This is achieved through the clear depictions of America during the Civil Rights Movement from Baldwin’s perspective as a witness. Particularly, the documentary focuses on the relationships Baldwin had with Martin Luther King Jr., Malcom X, and Medgar Evers. Additionally, Peck parallels the events that occurred during the 1960’s with the current race relations in the United States, such as the Black Lives Matters Movement. Furthermore, the documentary comments on the portrayal of African Americans in film throughout history, from blackface to maids and beyond. After all the information was presented, the film concludes with questions for the audience regarding what they believe what America stands for, and what are the solutions to end the ongoing discontent between the races.
Though the film …show more content…
Growing up, the public-school system only focused on certain prominent figures of the Civil Rights Movement in a non-holistic manner. By learning about a “forgotten” figure of the Civil Rights Era and their perspective of the unfolding events of the Civil Rights Movement, I felt that my understanding of this moment of history has changed for the better. For example, learning about someone who was friends with three murdered, predominant figures shifted my outlook on these men from being extoled citizens, to regular people with the desire for their children to one day grow up to be
In graphic detail, Peck uses Baldwin’s initial writings as the foundation to complete the book through film. This is achieved through the clear depictions of America during the Civil Rights Movement from Baldwin’s perspective as a witness. Particularly, the documentary focuses on the relationships Baldwin had with Martin Luther King Jr., Malcom X, and Medgar Evers. Additionally, Peck parallels the events that occurred during the 1960’s with the current race relations in the United States, such as the Black Lives Matters Movement. Furthermore, the documentary comments on the portrayal of African Americans in film throughout history, from blackface to maids and beyond. After all the information was presented, the film concludes with questions for the audience regarding what they believe what America stands for, and what are the solutions to end the ongoing discontent between the races.
Though the film …show more content…
Growing up, the public-school system only focused on certain prominent figures of the Civil Rights Movement in a non-holistic manner. By learning about a “forgotten” figure of the Civil Rights Era and their perspective of the unfolding events of the Civil Rights Movement, I felt that my understanding of this moment of history has changed for the better. For example, learning about someone who was friends with three murdered, predominant figures shifted my outlook on these men from being extoled citizens, to regular people with the desire for their children to one day grow up to be