The Challenge of Minorities in Films

Viola Davis in "The Help"

Although I didn't actually watch the Oscars, I took notice of the tweets and status updates of those who were watching. I was so excited that Octavia Spencer won an Oscar for her role as Minnie in "The Help." That movie was absolutely amazing! I was fortunate as a child that my dad often talked about other ethnicities and how they were treated where he grew up in California. Without his influence, I probably wouldn't have ended up with my husband and working with so many wonderful groups. As I watched "The Help," it helped me see what he had described and yet it went beyond the expected.

When I heard that some in the Black community took offense at the film, I was baffled. They claimed that the roles portrayed by the Black actors were a step backwards for Black people. --Side note-- I prefer to use the term "Black" rather than "African American" because not all Black people are of African descent. -- I was surprised by their perception of the film since what I saw was completely different. Yes, the film showed the limits imposed on Blacks in that time period and how they were treated in such an undignified way. What impressed me was that it went beyond all that and showed how they coped with what life had dealt them - the pride in doing their jobs well, joking and telling stories with each other in private, and the tears of sorrow from being stepped on. Seeing the story from the point of view of "the help" was incredibly enlightening!

I had similar thoughts years ago when we had a chance to be extras in a Native American film. While waiting to film one day, I read the script and got a better idea of the direction the movie was going. By the time the movie opened at the Sundance Film Festival, editing had changed the direction quite a bit. Fortunately, it was for the better. But while Native Americans enjoyed the movie, I noticed that others didn't seem to get it. Say "Native American" and audiences expect to see "Dances With Wolves." They were completely unprepared to see things from a Native's point of view instead of through the White person's eyes. The humor in the film that appealed to those of us in the Native community just didn't resonate with the others in the audience. "Christmas in the Clouds" probably doesn't ring a bell for anyone who wasn't in the film, but I will always appreciate the filmmakers for the attempt.

The reality is that not everyone is interested in seeing life through someone else's eyes. That's one area where I feel particularly blessed because I want to know what other people are experiencing and how they live their lives. Even in the workplace I find myself asking people about the details of their jobs so I can understand the bigger picture and how we all work together. Open your eyes, minds, and hearts to everyone around you and to experiences different than your own and you may find your own life more fulfilling in the end.

You is kind. You is smart. You is important.