A Time to Kill: The Movie About African Americans Discrimination

Introduction

Discrimination and segregation against African Americans are well-known issues to all Americans. These phenomena have significantly marked the history of America and continue to do so. Many have addressed this subject in hopes of eradicating it once and for all. A Time to Kill, a movie directed by the renowned filmmaker Joel Schumacher, revolves around racial inequality and the privilege that whites possessed at the time. It was inspired by the book written by John Grisham, which was his first novel that later became a bestseller. This remarkable work was inspired by a real case that the writer, also a renowned attorney, overheard in 1984 at the Desoto County Courthouse. The heart-wrenching testimony of a twelve-year-old rape victim led him to imagine an alternate storyline that could have unfolded if the girl's parent had sought revenge.

A Time to Kill: The Movie About African American Discrimination

While watching this film, it compelled me to rethink the entire judicial system. It evoked feelings of disgust, sadness, and fear. The question that kept lingering in my mind was how one's skin color could determine their destiny. I understand that during the time the story is set, white people were more privileged than people of color, but I could never have imagined that being white could excuse murder, rape, or violence. One day, like any other, Carl Lee Hailey, a hardworking African American man and a devoted father, went to work, leaving his wife and children at home. Little Tonya, Carl Lee's daughter, went grocery shopping for her mother and, on her way home, encountered two grown white men. They looked at her as if they were preying on her, drawing closer until she could smell their drunken breath. From that moment, the movie depicts disturbing images: the two men raped the little girl, urinated on her, and beat her until they believed she had died. They left her bleeding on the ground and continued on their way as if nothing had happened. Little did they know, the girl was still alive. Hours later, she was brought home, and her father came rushing to see the harm inflicted by those from the "elite" race. Out of love, the father avenges his daughter by killing the two rapists in front of everyone. Consequently, he is charged with first-degree murder. A white, inexperienced lawyer, Jake Brigance, took on his defense with the assistance of Ellen Roark. In the end, Carl Lee was declared not guilty, thanks to his lawyer's closing statement, which mainly appealed to emotions. The statement retold the entire rape story to the jury, even though the case was about murder, not rape. This way, Brigance touched the jury's emotions, leading them to free Carl Lee.

Racial Inequality, Justice, and Perspective

The movie primarily addresses three subjects: racial inequality, justice, and perspective. Racial inequality, a widespread phenomenon in America during the 1920s, was the most apparent theme. The Ku Klux Klan, a white supremacist group, played a significant role in this movie. Toward the end, before Carl Lee's release from court, we see the African American group holding signs reading "Free Carl Lee," while the Klan held signs saying "Fry Carl Lee." Throughout the movie, the KKK found numerous ways to intimidate and harm Jake Brigance's friends and family to make him abandon the case. The film also serves as a critique of the government since the laws were flawed. They granted fair-skinned citizens all the rights, while dark-skinned citizens had none. It was as if they weren't human, undeserving of life, and a burden to society. A particularly poignant line the lawyer delivered in court illustrates the pervasive racism: "Can you see her? Her raped, beaten, broken body soaked in their urine, soaked in their semen, soaked in her blood, left to die. Can you see her? I want you to picture that little girl. Now imagine she's white" (A Time to Kill, final statement scene). Additionally, perspective was crucial for the defendant's acquittal. It wasn't until the jury saw themselves in the father's shoes that they decided Hailey was not guilty.

Character Development and Moral Dilemmas

I appreciated how Jake Brigance's character developed on many levels while working on this case. His lack of experience was no longer an issue. Throughout the movie, the lawyer built up his self-esteem, established a name for himself, and ultimately found his strength. However, the vigilante aspect of the film troubled me. Whether Carl Lee was guilty or not, he took two lives. Even though they were the rapists of his daughter, the father did not have any legal authority to take matters into his own hands. If we follow the movie's logic, if a member of the rapists' families shot Carl Lee, there would be no charges against him either.

Memorable Quotes and Reflections

After my first viewing of the movie, I had already memorized some quotes because of their power and significance. However, only one quote has stayed with me since 2015. It is the one where Carl Lee Hailey explains to Brigance that they were not on the same side: "America is a war, and you're on the other side." Although the movie was impressive, the theme it discussed was not unique. Many films have focused on similar themes, such as Do The Right Thing released in 1989, and Menace II Society in 1993. The biggest proof of that is that I could anticipate all the events before they even happened.

Personal Impact and Societal Reflection

This movie touched me deeply because my best friend is a dark-skinned girl who has suffered from racism her entire life. She was discriminated against and mocked by children from kindergarten. This proves that our society is a very dark place where children are taught that the wrong is right and are blinded by societal standards and stereotypes from a very young age. Therefore, seeing a movie that relates to her story made me very happy and warmed my heart.

Conclusion

Today, America is known as a free country where everyone lives in harmony, love, and joy. That is what the government wants the world to perceive. However, reality is far from that. Many African Americans still suffer from racism and are still called derogatory names, while many white people continue to view themselves as belonging to a superior race. This has led America to develop two separate economies. Additionally, some stereotypes regarding race persist; some always associate sports with black people and jobs requiring higher education with white people. For some reason, racism still exists despite tremendous efforts to eliminate it once and for all. As we know, we are the citizens, and we control the future of the society we live in. By coming together and being vocal about the issues that still haunt our environment, what seems like a problem today will be remembered tomorrow as merely a bad memory.

References

• Grisham, J. (1989). A Time to Kill. Wynwood Press.
• Schumacher, J. (Director). (1996). A Time to Kill [Film]. Warner Bros.