Selma Carries A Message That Is Ripe For The Ages
DETROIT (WWJ) - This review is for students, teachers, parents, guardians, friends, neighbors, sisters, brothers -- basically, every single movie lover, history buff and justice seeker around the world. Take it from me: Selma is a movie that everyone should see.
Selma follows three attempts by civil rights leaders led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. back in 1965 to stage a peaceful march from Selma, Alabama to Montgomery, Alabama. It shows a side of the struggle most people have not seen before and a side of -- and a story about -- Dr. King that many people probably never knew existed.
"We're in this time where you see a leader who's at the height of his power, said Ava DuVernay, the film's director, making reference to Dr. King having won a Nobel Peace Prize.
"He could have chosen to do anything; could have chosen to go inside the White House and work with the president, which was an offer that was made," Duvernay added. "But he chose to get back out on the streets to work with people in a grassroots way, to organize people around this undone wrong that had been still lingering -- the right to vote."
And, before this movie, how many people outside of King's inner circle were aware that King struggled with his decision to move forward with the march?
Despite the achievements King ultimately realized, when you see what he and the others who fought alongside him were faced with day in and day out, you'll understand why his decision was so difficult to reach. But King's decision to forge ahead is one that, as we all know now, changed history forever. And DuVernay says she hopes that after people see the film, they'll walk away wanting to make a difference.
"It's so easy to go through life on your Twitter, on your cell phone, just focused on yourself, and when you see this film and when you see how people stood up for each other -- black, white, all kinds -- for what is right, it is moving and hopefully, nourishing, for people."
Make plans to see Selma when it opens nationwide today. Even though the events of 1965 happened nearly 50 years ago, the message is all too timely.
See you at the movies.
Be sure to tune in to WWJ Newsradio 950 every Friday at 2:40pm for my weekly look at the movies with Midday Anchor Jackie Paige.
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