The Great Debaters / Sean Bell

I'm late with seeing this movie but it is definitely that good to talk about it four months after its release. Denzel Washington and Oprah Winfrey team up to give a great movie of a very obscure event in history. Denzel's directorial debut is a classic must see.

The film, based on a true story, revolves around the efforts of debate coach Melvin B. Tolson (Denzel Washington) at historically black Wiley College to place his team on equal footing with whites in the American south during the 1930s, when lynch mobs and Jim Crow laws abounded. The Wiley team eventually succeeds to the point at which they are able to take part in a debate with Harvard University. ~ Wikipedia

Denzel of course delivers and really as you wishing that you had such driven and inspirational professors. Forrest Whitaker another Academy Award winner also portrays the hard working father that of course has to deal with the many trying issues a black father has to face during the 1930's. They unsurprisingly do not surprise anyone with their superior acting; it is the young actors that really bring the emotions dripping down your face. (I really almost cried) Denzel Whitaker (not Forrest's son), Nate Parker, and Jurnee Smollett are the real stories of the movie. The fairly newcomers cause you to grow to love their characters and feel like you experienced the journey with them. Jurnee Smollet, better known for Eve's Bayou and Roll Bounce, is a very believable Southern bell with spice and wit that leaves a permanent emotional connection with you. Nate Parker (also in Pride which I didn't see sorry) is the strong intelligent black man that is rarely depicted in movies today. Never saw him before? Well he will impress you his ability to switch it up: eloquent debater to rugged fighter. The youngest of the main cast Denzel Whitaker (of All That... the new corny one) is the innocent "little brother" character that your heart goes out for time and time again throughtout the movie. Therefore by the end of the movie when you see his growth you feel a since of pride in him. I CLEARLY enjoyed it and is inspired to do better with the opportunities that I have. Go see it. Below is a clip of one of the MANY powerful scenes.



Connection...


It amazes me that we can care less about the s*** that doesn't matter and rant all day about the bull! If you didn't know the cops responsible for the Sean Bell shooting were of ALL charges. The Great Debaters shows the bull we have been going through for a long time now and for some reason we don't care about that s*** or what goes on now. Its crazy how we have everything to say about bulls*** like 50 cent beefing with everybody but nothing to say about a an injustice like this s*** with Sean Bell. But does this all mean? It means that the black man's (and woman's) life isn't worth nothing what you going to do about it? I have no master plan to change this but I know people need to get their s*** right, fast. If a man can get shot at 50 times and the people responsible can walk, it's crazy out there. Although commenting about this doesn't change the situation or all the issues we have, I choose to comment on the s*** that matters instead of the s*** that doesn't. Change won't come from marching, it comes from changing the the things wrong with us to change the world. Self-reflexion before marching and yelling.