Talk about the recent yearly trend of films addressing the history of racism in America, including 12 Years a Slave (2013), Selma (2014), Straight Outta Compton (2015) and the upcoming The Birth of a Nation (2016). Examine these films in the context of the recent resurgence of racial tension in America, as well as the reaction of calling them "anti-white" that some people have had.
Fruitvale Station (2013), which is based on a true story, might also be a good choice. – Emily Deibler8 years ago
I think the key word here is history. How can this telling of history be called "anti-White?". It is like saying Gandhi was anti-British instead of anti-colonialism. These movies are about being anti-slavery and attacking the institution, not the people. Just like Gandhi attacked colonialism as a political system, not the people. He always spoke with clarity about the differences between systems and people. That is one of the many reasons he is a great leader. Institutionalized racism is alive and well today in education, politics and economics. When discussing emotionally charged issues like racism, it is very important to focus on systems not attacking the people like these movies. It is also important to identify those in positions of influence, be aware of how they can direct future policies and suggest various courses of actions. In many cases, the people in these key positions are White. Movies that provide a voice for showcasing positive actions taken by non-Whites can hardly be seen as anti-White. I think it is important to show how racist systems are challenged by non-Whites and the fact that racial lines are drawn in these issues underscores the point, rather than detracting from it. – Munjeera8 years ago