Tonight I finally rented it. It's Black History Month right? Maybe I should've watched it before I let my daughter, but I had heard from multiple trusted sources that it would be ok for her. Turns out it was. The movie was well done and seemingly portrayed life at that time in Jackson, Mississippi as accurately as it could have. She had many questions. She laughed. She cried. Now I want her to read the book.
Now, she has learned a lot from school about the Civil Rights Movement and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She knew that African Americans in our country had suffered horrific inequities. But somehow I think that a movie like this, a story where she can associate with characters, could potentially leave even more impact than all the school lectures. It's funny how two hours of your life watching a movie could get such important information ingrained your head forever.
She is horrified about the way many of the white women in the film treated their maids. She was indignant that there was a time in our history where these stories actually existed. She told me, "Mommy, I don't believe that it is ever ok to treat people differently. You should not be judged by the color of your skin."
Dr. King, your message has been received. It may not have been in the format you originally imagined, but it has happened nonetheless. You would be proud. And so am I.
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