WOW! What a power movie!
In 2006, I was asked by Dr. Thomas F. Freeman, Head Coach of Texas Southern University’s debate team to assist (along with two other colleagues) with coordinating three (3) days of workshop for the Great Debaters, main cast members.
I was given this opportunity because I was a former collegiate debater champion and an assistant coach of the TSU’s debate team.
At the time, I didn’t understand the magnitude of the film, until I was invited to consult on set during the taping of the movie in Sherveport, Louisiana. While on set, I was asked if I wanted to play an extra in the movie and I quickly agreed to seize my 15 seconds of fame.
Being an audience member in the Oklahoma scene allowed me a Birdseye view of what …show more content…
That is, the global black experience is not the same, our perspectives on being black differs.
As a black Jamaican, my struggles had been classism and colorism. My thought process had always been, acquire a good education, then secure a professional job with potential for a successful career, would eventually move me into a middle class status and provide a contingent acceptance for my darker skin tone.
However, in the United States, I recognized that I was constantly being judged by my skin tone. Then, when I opened my mouth to speak, my accent gave new meaning to being black. I became an exception to the rule because now, I was not considered an African American but a Jamaican. The notation that blacks from other parts of the world (outside of America) are much smarter with exceptional work ethics.
It’s sad that blacks are currently facing some of the same issues today as depicted in the movie, The Great Debaters and will continue to face discrimination regardless of education, income levels or skin pigmentation, if collectively we do not change our outlook.
We have the power to change our world by first accepting that we are all created
In 2006, I was asked by Dr. Thomas F. Freeman, Head Coach of Texas Southern University’s debate team to assist (along with two other colleagues) with coordinating three (3) days of workshop for the Great Debaters, main cast members.
I was given this opportunity because I was a former collegiate debater champion and an assistant coach of the TSU’s debate team.
At the time, I didn’t understand the magnitude of the film, until I was invited to consult on set during the taping of the movie in Sherveport, Louisiana. While on set, I was asked if I wanted to play an extra in the movie and I quickly agreed to seize my 15 seconds of fame.
Being an audience member in the Oklahoma scene allowed me a Birdseye view of what …show more content…
That is, the global black experience is not the same, our perspectives on being black differs.
As a black Jamaican, my struggles had been classism and colorism. My thought process had always been, acquire a good education, then secure a professional job with potential for a successful career, would eventually move me into a middle class status and provide a contingent acceptance for my darker skin tone.
However, in the United States, I recognized that I was constantly being judged by my skin tone. Then, when I opened my mouth to speak, my accent gave new meaning to being black. I became an exception to the rule because now, I was not considered an African American but a Jamaican. The notation that blacks from other parts of the world (outside of America) are much smarter with exceptional work ethics.
It’s sad that blacks are currently facing some of the same issues today as depicted in the movie, The Great Debaters and will continue to face discrimination regardless of education, income levels or skin pigmentation, if collectively we do not change our outlook.
We have the power to change our world by first accepting that we are all created