1/18/15

Ministry Matters

by Dr. Mapson

Everyone should see—as I did a few days ago—the movie Selma, which chronicles the 1964 march from Selma to Montgomery Alabama, led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and others.  Montgomery is not only the capital of Alabama in the heart of Dixie, but at one time the capital of the Confederacy, the group of southern states that succeeded from the Union, primarily over the issue of slavery, an inhumane and degrading “way of life” southerners had pledged to preserve.  It launched America’s Civil War.  Montgomery was a city steeped in segregation and entrenched racism.  

Although all movies, in presenting drama and entertainment, may take some liberties with historic truth, Selma takes us back to a time in our history far removed from this generation.  It is not fortuitous that such a movie would come to the big screen during a time when the nation is once again embroiled in racial strife, as we think of places like Ferguson, Cleveland, and New York City, where matters of injustice and inequality continue to create a climate of hopelessness, anger, and despair on the part of so many African-Americans.

While watching the movie I was struck, not only by the drama on the screen, but by two disappointing realities away from the screen.  I looked around the theater and saw no young people.  In fairness to them, it might have been the time of day.  Yet, it is my hope that young people will see the film, not only because it is a slice of history they did not experience, but also to give them a reason to join the fight for justice and equality in a world where the poor are getting poorer while the rich are getting richer; a world where the powerful continue to take advantage of the powerless; a world where education is still the key that unlocks the door for a better, more productive and prepared life.  Those in the civil rights’ movements fought, not only for the right to vote and sit at lunch counters, but for educational opportunities, then closed to blacks because of the color of our skin.  And let us not forget the sacrifices made by many whites who were exiled from their own families and communities for standing beside blacks in the movement for justice.

I was also disappointed by the ‘all black’ audience in the movie theater.  Again, in fairness, I am sure that many non-blacks will see the film, but usually whites are not generally interested in movies with primarily black actors, or movies with black content, except when blacks are acting like clowns and buffoons.  They respond to our humor, but not to our pain, our tears, our sense of disenfranchisement, our anger and frustration over past and present injustices, while urging us to, “just get over it!”  Many people flock to movies that depict black people as mindless, films that stereotype the black church and the black preacher, movies that demean us as a people.  

Unfortunately, some of our own people will not go to see Selma because it tells a painful truth that many of us are not ready to acknowledge.  We like movies that make us laugh, not movies that make us think.  This movie may be the only history some of us will ever read.  Go see it!

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Mapson