Movie Day

 In the Heat of the Night

In the Heat of the Night is a film about the Jim Crow South and the solving of a murder of a well known rich man. One of the Suspects turns out to be a police officer.

Set in a small town in Mississippi, the story centers around Virgil Tibbs played by Sidney Poitier, an African American detective from Philadelphia who becomes invloved in a murder investigation after being falsely accused of the crime. Tibbs is teamed up with lthe ocal white police chief Bill Gillespie, a man initially unkind to Tibbs’ presence in the town. As the investigation unfolds, the film explores the tension between Tibbs and Gillespie, highlighting their contrasting views on race, authority, and justice. Over the course of the film, both men undergo a transformation, leading to an uneasy but necessary understanding of one another.

One of the most powerful aspects of In the Heat of the Night is its portrayal of Jim Crow Laws in the American South during the 1960s. At a time when the Civil Rights Movement was gaining momentum, the film provides a look at the prejudices that infected society. The interaction between Tibbs and the white residents of Sparta reveals the racism that defined the social order.

 Gillespie is deeply skeptical of Tibbs' abilities, not just because of his race but also due to his own pride. However, as the investigation progresses and Tibbs proves his competence, Gillespie’s attitude shifts. The mutual respect that slowly develops between the two men is a testament to the film’s message about the potential for growth and understanding, even in the face of deep-rooted racism.

Sidney Poitier, whose career was often defined by his roles in socially conscious films, delivers a masterful performance as Virgil Tibbs. His dignified portrayal of a man who maintains his composure and sense of justice, despite the constant degradation he faces, remains one of his most iconic roles. Poitier’s understated strength and poise are essential to the film’s impact, making Tibbs a character who is both relatable and heroic.

In the Heat of the Night also stands out for its exploration of Jim Crow South, especially within the police force. The film raises important questions about authority, power, and the way justice is administered in a racially divided society. Though it presents a hopeful narrative of personal growth, it also refuses to shy away from the difficult truths about the prevalence of racism and the challenges of overcoming it. The Film hits the hard stuff most people avoid head on and addresses it.

In the Heat of the Night is more than just a mystery film; it is a powerful film that still holds relevance  today. Its legacy endures as a reminder of the need for understanding and cooperation in the face of prejudice, making it a vital part of the conversation about race in America.

EOTO 2

 Thurgood Marshall & the NAACP

Most people know Thurgood Marshall as the first African American Supreme Court Justice, however he has a long history that led him there. 

Marshall was born on July 2, 1908 in Baltimore Maryland to Norma and William Marshall. His upbringing was seemingly normal, I was unable to find any key details about the youngest times of his life. He attended the Colored High and Training school in Maryland and graduated in 1925 with honors. He then went on to higher education in university.

In 1930, Marshall graduated from Lincoln University. He was rejected from the University of Maryland’s Law school due to his race which was unfortunately common at the time but ended up graduating with his law degree from Howard University. During his college years he met his mentor, Charles Hamilton
Houston. Hamilton would go on to work with Marshall for several cases.

One of their first cases after Marshall graduated was Murray v. Pearson in which Donald Gaines Murray sued the University of Maryland for rejecting his application due to his race. The duo of Marshall and Houston argued the case together and ended up with Marshall’s first major victory.

Sometime after this, Marshall joined the NAACP as a staff lawyer with Houston as his employer. He was a staff lawyer for several years arguing several cases against segregation. He was declared the Chief of the NAACP legal defense and educational fund in 1940. His department worked to create some kind of legal assault against segregation. 

After many years, he became a Supreme Court justice in which he won 29 cases. His most famous case being Brown v. Board of Education. He remained with the Supreme Court until retirement in 1991. He then focused on a more private life with his wife and children. He did occasionally serve as a visiting judge on the Second Circuit Board of Appeals. Eventually after his declining health, Marshall passed away in 1991.

Some of the cases he argued during his life.

• Smith v. Allwright (1944)

• Morgan v. Virginia (1946)

• Sweatt v. Painter (1950)

• Shelley v. Kraemer (1948)

• Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Trial 3

 Bakke v. California

"Ladies and gentlemen, Your Honor. We have all been brought here today to discuss a serious matter in the world of education. While it is a blessing that we have been able to progress in this world, it has now come to interfere with other students' abilities to further their education.

Allan Bakke has been rejected from his choice school twice even though he has a higher GPA than other students that applied and were accepted. He believes this is the product of trying to give African Americans and others equal opportunities even if their grades aren’t up to par as they should be. 

While there is nothing wrong with giving these students equal opportunities, there is a different way to do this aside from taking away the opportunity from deserving students. Giving these students opportunities should not be the cause of other students losing a spot that should rightfully be there. 

When you work so hard for something only to have it taken away from you but given to a student who is intellectually not as up to par as the other. This can be seen as bias in certain situations which is unfair even if it is unintentional. If we want to give these students opportunities then we can start by having them be equally judged and selected by colleges based purely on their grades. 

I think it suffices to say that African American and other ethnicities would rather be accepted into college fairly than being accepted purely because a school is afraid of angering any one of other ethnicities. If we want to give them equal opportunities, we can start by looking at everyones applications fairly and choosing acceptances based on grades. 

I hope you all take a moment to think about my words and discover how you want to proceed with this case. Thank you."