"One quiet voice can ignite a revolution."
This in no way shape or form is intended to be racist, prejudice, or offensive. This article is subjectively written form the standpoint of an African American woman.
Let me start off by saying Lee Daniels "The Butler" was an overall phenomenal film. I enjoyed every aspect of the film even though it was quite the roller coaster of emotions. Spanning the life of Cecil Gains from slavery through the eight sitting presidents was fascinating and encouraging to see America in its different phases of civil rights.
My person favorite contrast was between Cecil and his son Lewis. Cecil grew up a slave in Georgia and moved to the north and vowed to never let his sons pick cotton (like he did). Cecil's older son was the complete opposite: while his father's occupation was a butler, Lewis was passionate for fighting for his rights by participating in any protest movement. The dynamic between father and son was so colorful because they both wanted the same thing but had different ways to go about it.
Martin Luther King Jr. in the film informed Lewis that he should be ashamed that his father was a butler because the domestic were quietly subversive. Basically their job serving was just as important as those fighting the front lines. The Butler’s job was a peacemaker to help the white man feel no threat and see how they could co-exist while the protesters were the loud rebellious type who had to make a stand to force change. Both played important roles from opposite sides of the canvas but in the end, it made one beautiful picture for you and I today. The work still isn't over; we need to keep pushing for a better future and more opportunities available for the next generation.
Lewis Gains was a character that truly touched my heart because I saw myself in him. Taking a stand in basic human rights and determined to make a difference in history is a common thread between us. I have always said it could have lived in any time, I would have wanted to be a young adult in the 1960's. I would have know exactly where I was when JFK and MLK got shot. I would have participated in sit-ins, civil right marches, and been a freedom rider. I'm pretty sure I would have been a hippie as well protesting the war in addition to witnessing the United States going to the moon and the destruction of the Berlin Wall; those all would have been memorable things to live through. To see people like the Kennedy's, Marilyn Monroe, Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X would have been historical to me because they are some of the most fascinating influential people to me today and will never be duplicated.
I enjoyed watching this movie although the historical aspect was nothing new for me but I appreciate "The Butler" being saturated with so much information. It was also very entertaining seeing such a star studded cast: I absolutely love this film that had actors like Oprah Winfrey, Jesse Williams, Terrence Howard, Lenny Kravitz, Jane Fonda, Robin Williams, and so many more. I am not surprised to hear Oscar buzz about this film already, I expect to see it in March at the Academy Awards pick up several wins. This film is for anyone and everyone but I especially recommend it to those African Americans who enjoy their learning about their history and those who want to be a bit more informed. Once again this is a movie based on a true story but don't take everything at 100% accuracy; study history or ask someone to tell you their story.
I definitely walked away from this movie (after shedding a few tears) with a new appreciation how the first time I voted was for President Barack Obama, the first African American president ever! I was a part of history because of people like Cecil and Lewis Gains, even Gandhi, Malcolm X, and MLK that came before me. I thank you for anyone who was a part of history for the better and paved the way for me to breakthrough for those that will come tomorrow.
"Rosa sat so Martin could walk, Martin walked so Obama could run, Obama ran so our children can fly!"
