Discrimination and Injustice: Film Analysis Essay on Selma

Selma is a great movie that brings out vital exhibitions and clear, compelling sequences. This movie brings out an inspiring story of the civil rights movements journey to Selma. The trip to Alabama was a critical moment in the Civil rights movement as it helped the black minority groups in the south to conquer sanctions against their rights to exercise democratic rights. There was racial discrimination in the South, and many vices against the blacks went unpunished, this forced Dr. Martin Luther King Jr to make it clear to President Lyndon Johnson about the problems the blacks were going through. According to (John XXIII), man's dignity lies in his ability to participate in political affairs and make a contribution to the common good of the country. Martin Luther King Jr. was keen to fight for the voting rights of the minority groups.

Martin Luther King went on to be a great American historical leader. He was cultural and humane. He is among the great people who modeled the United States of America to a country it is today.Martin Luther King had many political obstacles and negotiations on the road to realizing his goal. He compromised his life in various ways to achieve a greater good (Mater Et Magistra). In the year 1964, Martin Luther together with his wife goes to Norway to receive his Nobel Peace Prize.

Back in Selma, Annie Lee Cooper is seen to be filling out a form to become a voter. The voter registrar who was white starts to grill her on the federal and state government. Annie Lee Cooper looks confident and seems to be getting everything right. Finally, she was asked a question that nobody could answer, and her application was rejected. King meets with President Lyndon Johnson to discuss the issue of blacks not being permitted by the registrars to register and vote. He advocated for federal legislation that would enable blacks to register and vote, but he gets a negative response from President Johnson who says that he has more critical things to do.

King goes to Selma with four other people. As the group arrives, Reverend Bevel walks to the car to welcome them, several civil rights activists also appear. After the greetings, they started talking as they walk towards the hotel. All of a sudden, Luther King Jr. is punched in the mouth, and a scuffle comes up. The president and the F.B.I director are seen discussing the matter. The FBI director thinks that Dr. Luther King has become a big problem and it would be better to destabilize his home and marriage. Destabilization of social groups is a vice spoken against. (Leo). Martin Luther Kings wife becomes increasingly concerned about her familys well-being.

A congregation of civil rights activists together with optimistic voters gathers in Selma, and Martin Luther King asks them to fight for their rights. Despite the fact that the authorities will block them from achieving their goal, he organizes for a march to the registrars office to ask for registration peacefully. A tense confrontation between Selma law enforcement and human rights activists is seen at the courthouse, and within a short time, they start fighting. Annie Lee Cooper is seen punching Jim Clark to the ground. Martin Luther King, Cooper, and many human rights activists are arrested.

The authorities hear about the happening, and they become incensed. Malcolm X visits Correta and he disagrees strongly with Luther Kings non-violent movements. He presents himself as a backup voice for the black people to demonstrate to the whites what they are going to get if Kings actions dont actualize its objectives. King is visited by Correta in jail and is briefed about the meeting with Malcolm X; he looks displeased. Authorities meet and decide to use force against an upcoming march. Later in the day, a confrontation between protesters and troops is seen. From the encounter, a young man is shot dead.

King later talks to the people saying that the fight for freedom is on and nobody is ready to give up. Another March is almost ready, and King won't be on the march.As they walk, they approach well-armed troopers who later attacked them with those weapons. Several people are injured as the event is shown on the national television and the President gets increasingly annoyed by the situation. Some whites join the movement, and President Johnson asks the Congress to pass the bill throwing out restrictions on the black community in exercising their democratic rights. People gather up for the final march to Montgomery Martin Luther King talks to people informing them that their journey to freedom has come closer as he gives thanks to God.

Martin Luther King Jr lived a dangerous life by leading campaigns against discrimination and social injustices in the United States. He faced very violent opposition from authorities, but he wanted equality and justice for all the people. The great march from Selma to Montgomery led to President Johnson signing the act allowing equal voting rights across the country. This was a big victory for the under-represented minority groups in the country. Discrimination and injustice are seen in the whole movie as characters interact. People being denied the democratic right to vote by color and those who protest are killed.

Cited Works

XXIII, John. "Pacem In Terris". Journal Of Catholic Social Thought, vol 1, no. 1, 2004, pp. 157-199. Philosophy Documentation Center, doi:10.5840/jcathsoc20041113.

Mater Et Magistra. Chicago, Discoverers Press, 1962,.

Leo. Rerum Novarum. London, Catholic Truth Society, 1983.