SELMA As Seen Through The Conflict Theory Perspective
Selma, depicts the story of the marches led by Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma, Alabama during the 1965 revolution for equal rights. During the movie, the prominent truth of reality is inescapable, for the movie captures the change that has transpired in the journey towards equality, while also shines light on the hindered growth that has not occurred. Although, many would argue that the injustices showcased in the movie, that deemed African-Americans as inferior, is due to a lack of social solidarity, I believe that the labeling of minorities as subservient to White Americans is caused by a wealthy vs. poor mindset, that propels those in power to use their power to exploit groups with less power.
Selma is a story of resilience and begins with Martin Luther King, Jr. accepting the Nobel Peace Prize, while four African- American girls are killed in a church by an explosion. The movie highlights gruesome injustices that occur, like the prevention of registering to vote, and President Lyndon B. Johnson's uncaring mindset to the problem of Jim Crow laws. Seeing the gravity of the problem, King travels to Selma, and unites the people. They march to the registration office to register to vote, and a violent confrontation occurs, that sends King and many to jail. More atrocities arise, and during a night march, state troopers beat and kill protesters, while Coretta receives threats of harm for her children. This is only the beginning, for the violence escalated on the Selma to Montgomery march where troopers with gas masks on attacked peaceful protesters with clubs, horses, tear gas and other weapons.The attack was shown on national television and helped juxtapose the evilness of racism to the peacefulness of the protesters. The televising of the event caused many White Americans to join the second march. Without permission from President Johnson, this time the marchers cross the bridge, and the state troopers turned to let them pass. However, after praying King decides to turn around and receives much criticism for this. When a White-American who united forces with King is murdered, President Johnson grants permission for the March to prevail, and speaks before a Joint Session of Congress to ask for a bill to eliminate restrictions on voting to pass. He praises the courage of the activists, and proclaims in his speech "We shall overcome". The march finally takes place and Martin Luther King Jr. concludes the movie by saying that equality for African Americans is approaching.
Throughout, the movie there is an evident division between class. Tension arose due to competing socioeconomic interests and desires between two different types of people. African-Americans wanted a right that was endowed to them to be respected, while racist White-Americans wanted to keep African-Americans powerless. Through violence that occurred in the Edmund Pettus Bridge, during the Selma to Montgomery march, the division between class is evident. It is clear that racism was alive, and that White-Americans did not want to give the right to vote to African-Americans. The cruel acts that were performed on the peaceful protesters validate the fact that a clash between classes existed, and was caused by competing social interests. Alienation, the state or experience of being isolated from a group, is also showcased in the movie. African-Americans were hindered through laws that cheated them out of their rights. Since they did not own the means of production, in this case, did not hold power in office they were unable to move up in the social ladder. For example, in Selma, it was President Lyndon B. Johnson who held the power to propose a bill that would facilitate the movement towards equality for African-Americans. However, he chose to alienate the problem, and in doing so also alienated African-Americans from America. The Bourgeoisie's, or owners of the means of production, where White-Americans in the movie. In many situations, it is prevalent that those in power where Whites. The governor of Alabama, the Court hearing Judge, the President, all were representatives of those who held the power. It was Whites who hindered the opportunities of African-Americans, it was White-Americans that would not allow change to occur, and would not give equal rights to those who so rightfully deserved it. The Proletariat's, or the mass workers dependent on work to survive, where African-Americans in the film. African-Americans were dependent on White-Americans to receive the rights they deserved. They were the ones who suffered, and endured long suffering in retaliation from the Bourgeoisie. For example, the girls who were killed in the bombing, and those who were killed in the marches, where the example of retaliation from the bourgeoisie to remind them that they controlled the power. The inequality that ensued in Selma was the denial of voting rights to African-Americans. Throughout the movie many racial inequalities are witnessed, the most prominent being the violence and crimes that the White-American community instilled upon the African-American community. Eventually,the bias and prejudice was enough and a revolution was inevitable. A forcible overthrow of the corruption that those in power had was needed. Social order had to be put in place, and in the movie Selma we see this through the fight to perform the march from Selma to Alabama, and in the end by its accomplishment. When Martin Luther King proclaims that equality for African Americans is approaching we see the end result of the revolution.
Exploring Selma trough a Conflict Theory Perspective allowed me to see the bigger picture and not just let history stay in the past but apply it to modern day and make it relatable. I was able to see the movie as a reminder that those who don't apply history are doomed to repeat it. I was able to see the larger social implications that derived from such a strong movie that depicted the injustices of the past, and was was able to see the Selma as way to move forward. In society today there is much to accomplish, and with tragedies such as the shooting of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown, change is something we must all work for. We must ignite change, and follow the steps and principle of great leaders who have showed us that although, a forcible overthrow is needed, we can achieve positive change through peace. It is important to no allow history to repeat itself and we must step up so that minorities don't continue to be in positions of inferiority.
