The Great Debaters

I am not sure why, but it seems as if I always watch movies or TV shows way after it is first broadcast. I am a member of Blockbuster Online, so every so often [depending on when I mail a movie back] I get a new movie. In May, I received 'The Great Debaters'. Because of my lack of free time and my enormous time spent at work, I never had time to sit and actually watch the movie. Since I received the movie in May, my mom seen the movie like 4 times, with her last time being my first time watching it. Since I was always asked by her if I seen the movie and taunted when I responded 'no', I made it my point to see it. About a week ago was my first time seeing the movie. Needless to say, I loved it. It was well worth the two hours plastered in front of the TV.

My favorite lyrics of the movie was quoted when Denzel was in the canoe boat and all of his debaters was by the river side with walnuts in their mouths. They proclaimed "Who is the judge? The judge is God. Why? Because he decides whether I win or lose, not my opponent. Who is your opponent? He doesn't exist. Why does he not exist? Because he is just a mere dissenting voice to the truth I speak."

Those words have so much power behind them. This world is full of false-judgers. Those who would rather look through a window instead of a mirror. In my opinion, most of the crime, self-hatred, and evil-tasks are done as a result of judgers. Youths nowadays feel as if they have to keep up with their peers. They feel as if the voice of their peers is the deciding voice. That quote represents truth. It says no matter what you do or try to do or even hope to do, God is the answer. God is the only one who says what you do is right or wrong. Only God can make that decision because only God is real. It also states that ones' opponent is the opposite of which they speak, stated simply a state of mind.

Great Debaters teaches truth, sacrifice, history, and love to all those that watches it. It depicts what is hidden from most movies that tries to exhibit the past. In most movies, African Americans are represented as lower class, uneducated, and law-breakers. In this movie, the intelligence that was hidden came to light. It depicted the trails and tribulations that African American went through as well as showing the meaning of true legacy.

All African American youth should see this movie. It shows that the true, the proud, and those that persevere always conquer. It didn't matter what obstacle was placed in their way, those on the Wiley debate team saw it, conquered it, and kept going for their goal.

"Anything can put you down, but only you can keep you down"

The world is full of obstacles and no one is exempt from them, but the true test is how that obstacle is treated.