During Black History Month, we discover some of our most accomplished Black men and women who’ve passed down their legacies to be acknowledged into our future. Even better, we trace back the truths of our existence by way of exploring the unexplored.
Not everything can be thoroughly processed in a matter of just one month nor even a year, heck, even centuries after where we’re still going back and forth about the motherland of Africa that gave the whole reason of our human existence such as The Eve Gene or Homosapien facts. Constantly being misguided by a lack of knowledge and information that has been contorted and trashed along the way only to dig it up from the ground that rooted us, sheds far more light than the blinding sun. Regardless, each year we continue to relish off of what little enlightening treasures we seem to find out and add it to our collage of memoirs.
Race, a biopic movie about beating the odds brilliantly captures the dedicated life of a young Olympic track and field athlete, Jesse Owens, that has failed to be noted in all my life of Black History knowledge until I was invited to a private screening by a friend. CaCera whose collaboration with McDonald’s who’s known for putting on amazing and inspiring events such as McDonald’s Summer Salad Soiree , I’m Lovin it event with Ne-yo, took the opportunity in inviting a selection of people who would thoroughly appreciate this story to be told. I had seen the previews, but something about this film caught my attention where I would’ve paid to see the film in theaters anyway. Though once I received an email inviting me to the first showing, it became even more memorable.
In schools, colleges and social media, we’re all reminded of Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King and Malcom X and even the man that invented peanut butter, but four time gold medalist Jesse Owens, is a huge champion in his own right that it shouldn’t have taken this long to acknowledge everything that he was and strived for during one of thee most horrendous events known in our history during Hitlers reign.
The screening was being held at the Baldwin Hills theater during an unexpected rain storm. I had invited my play sister Leigh-Ann as my guest and we met up with Cacera who had reached out to me.
The check-in wasn’t open until 6 pm and the movie wasn’t starting until 7, so we took photos in front of the movie poster for media coverage. The rain didn’t prevent more guest managing to enter from the rain and a line soon started to form. I knew there would probably be a guest speaker or even the cast for the film, so I wanted to make sure that I was close enough to see and hear everything that might be said. Cacera made sure that once I got my wrist band that she would walk Leigh and myself to our seats that fit my needs.
Three rows were sectioned for a museum, actress Wendy Raquel Robinson and McDonald’s. I decided to have Leigh-Ann and myself sit in the row with the museum attendees and in any case we would move I would just go sit in the third row. Other guest were only to sit around our seating area as they were kindly directed to do so. The theater wasn’t being filled up quite yet and Leigh and I decided to grab a few snacks.
Earlier, Leigh and I had been at the spa the whole day and ate a meal there, but I was working up an odd appetite, so we bought nachos, chicken fingers and fries. I was depressed they didn’t have pretzels so I managed. Of course we don’t eat like this all the time.
Soon enough after passing the rope where a line had formed in order to head back to my seat, the rest of the guest were allowed in and the performance began. Before the film, Wendy R. Robinson and guest speaker Nicole Enearu is actively creating a foundation in her community with her family and who have ownership of all McDonald’s in the Compton area and thirteen other restaurants. In order to prove that Black success is not a far reach for the palms of any hand, Black History and pride should be gleefully celebrated all year long without a month limiting our perseverance.
The movie started off with a young black man running around his block as if nothing could get in the way of what mission he was on. Seeing the past in this day and age educated me that he attended college at Ohio State University against any and all racism that tried to discourage him, he remained faithful to his passion and goals he had set for himself to achieve, and knowing the era of being black person, it was encouraging. Today, people make excuses. Then, it was a much tougher time even though things haven’t really changed for the better at the rate we could be going, but to think of a young man who made his destiny happen speaks volumes. A loud mouthed, curt and just as passionate coach for Jesse Owens, Larry Snyder, also shows that not everyone is going to be against you due to the hostility instilled in others. Although in the film he had has his own personal motives, it wasn’t in relation to bringing harm onto Owens.
The bond that Owens and Snyder shared was pure love and respect for one another and the ultimate goal of what they were getting to. Owens at times pushed away and Synder pushed him forward to the trophy goal where I had the feeling like there were two stubborn bulls who both had their feet firmly planted in the ground. But Snyders role was far more than being that of just a demanding coach. He fought for Owens. His spirit, his strive and the color of his skin all the way up until death. Owens father played a minimal part in the film, but an even larger role in his life that needs to reflect on how fatherhood should be within our community.
During a time when he was pressured by those in the NAACP to fallback from the Olympics that were being held in Germany might have been a daring risk for anyone of color and or religious views. His father spoke up on behalf of his sons desires, strengths and his future. A scene that might have seemed so small, but made a huge impact on what needs to currently happen. In the film, a dynamic capture of how we are not born racist but are taught to be hateful and exude ignorance, showed a surprisingly genuine bond between Owens and a German Olympian Luz Long, who I was sure would show the struggles that he would’ve faced being in a foreign country that bred hate during the Aryan supremacy.
Their friendship teaches us that there is always those fighting for us even though they themselves are teetering in a world they’re against. Long made a political example in front of his country out of courage and respect that later cost him his life. The women in Owens life was a no brainer. Women like his mother, Emma Owens, who comforted him and his girlfriend, Ruth Solomon, who stuck by him up until marriage and his death were the hearts of the film. Everyone added a little piece.
The bonds between competitors like Eulace Peacock, Dave Albritton, Sam Stoller and Marty Glickman allowed the presence of the film to present a sense of unity and triumph.
Now, on the other side of the spectrum, what I wish the movie could’ve added value with a few twist to the movie. While the film created so much high energy and support, it left me a little at odds that aside from the typical racial standpoint that is far too common, it was far too expected of all his accomplishments.
Where was the apparent acknowledgment of the Fühere, Hilter himself, shaking hands with Owens that was secretly photographed, that Owens continued to debate on behalf of Hilter’s tyranny. Where was the political and racial scene of Owens ending career where our very own country stripped, Oppressed, Owens of his further acts in building collateral due to commercial deals and the jilted efforts of our “beloved” USA athletic officials. Where was the presidential snub of president Franklin D. Roosevelt who was supported by Owens and his Republican participations; or even better, how Owens was treated more humanly and with slightly more dignity in other countries versus our own at which he won for. A lot to consider in the short time span of a film dedicated to Black History Month that needs to be everyone’s source of history especially at this time.
In all honesty, I wouldn’t be surprised if the truth and depiction of factual events were taken out or snubbed in order to keep the “Hollywood” limelight alive that we all know in truth is becoming more dim. Jesse Owens is a man that has been the symbol of accomplishment on all track and fields; and whether it’s because he wasn’t given his fair stance by our American dwellers that left him as an after thought up until now, I truly admire this man for everything he taught me that night. I admire every person who stood for him, by him and with him against all differences and color that tried to defeat him.
Actors in this film did an impeccable job portraying real life images of incredible people. Stephan James, Jason Studikis, Shanice Batton, Jeremy Irons, David Cross and more.
With that being said, if you would like to further add and participate to our Black History which in turn is everyday and everyone’s history, please go to McDonald’s 365 Black where you too can become a part of our American history hand in hand.
Thank you CaCera and McDonald’s for this commemorative night and event!
Xox
