Saturday, August 17, 2013

See "The Butler"

A  L  O  H  A !
A film may be entertaining,
involving,
exhausting;

But it is only the next day,
and the next,
that you know:
"This is a great film."

The Butler
is such a film.

I saw it yesterday.

In a manner of speaking
I am an extra in the film.

Every American
who lived
 through those times,
is.


If you want to remember,
gain perspective,
or understand
who we are
and how we got here:
Go See
 "The Butler."

The "Negro domestics"
that my husband and I both
knew in our homes
educated us,
raised us,
made us 
who we are.

Mine were ladies
who rode that long bus
out to the suburbs
to clean our house
one day a week.

They taught me
that life was not fair
 to all,
that there is great 
dignity
in work
and in how you 
carry yourself.

I knew that their
 children
did not enjoy
what I had,
what I could do;
their future
was circumscribed
as mine was not.

Kids know:
Unfair!

My husband
had practically
a second mother
who loved him,
scolded him,
and helped to give him
the heart that I love.
We speak of her often.

When I was little,
I couldn't fathom
the courage

Heroes;

Children;

Defenseless.



When I was a little older,
Dr. King was shot
and my city burned.

Dad, uncle, others,
who worked in the neighborhoods
stayed home
for days
worrying.

Some of them
lost businesses.


So much of this film
was a trip through my own times
and life.

It was a powerful experience.

Watching the film trailer below
got me emotional again.

At a time
when voting rights
are under attack
in this country
AGAIN
we need to remember
the aged warriors
who already laid their lives
on the line.

We're not there yet.

But someday,
We're gonna get there.

Together.

Take a young person to see
The Butler
and discuss it with them.

Share your life,
your wisdom.

Fondly, cloudia

18 comments:

Leovi said...

Those pretty colors make me dream, beautiful light! Very interesting movie!

Elephant's Child said...

I love that you have retained and built on your early recognition of injustice.

Cloudia said...

Grazie

rupam sarma said...

Beautiful post.
Have a great day.

21 Wits said...

I completely agree! My girlfriend and I went to see it today! It's beyond remarkable. Excellent!

Cloudia said...

Glad :-)

Thanks

Pietro Brosio said...

A very fine reading, Cloudia!
Beautiful post!

Rajesh said...

Good one.

Cloudia said...

Thank you both kindly

Kay said...

I was disappointed to see a rather not so good review of The Butler in the news because I wanted to see it. Thank you for your endorsement, Cloudia. I'll make it a point to put it on my list of movies to see. Your post is so wonderful and touching.

Cloudia said...

I'm no critic looking for flaws in order to look smart. I'm always hoping for success in a meal, book, friend, or movie :-)
This one worked for me

Thanks, Neighbor

Couture Carrie said...

Must see it!!

xoxox,
CC

The Weaver of Grass said...

Wonderful post Cloudia.
We who live outside your country cannot have this same experience. The history of slavery is buried in our past but I fear means little to our young people today. There is a lot of food for thought here. Thank you Cloudia for bringing it to the forefront of our minds.

Anonymous said...

I also went to the first showing; nice performances by all; excellent trip through so many years towards civil rights. I liked how Oprah wasn't the main actor and played her subdued role well. I too had my Mom's twice- weekly maid as a confidant for things I couldn't talk about with my parents. A real angel, Myrtle. DrumMajor

magiceye said...

Poignant

Namaste /\ from Mumbai
Aloha!!

Betty Manousos said...

wonderful post my sweet friend!
everything mentioned in this post is so poignant!

aloha!!

Stefano Davanzo said...

Hi Cloudia, I'm back in Italy the time spent in yours islands was great... as usual

Aloha
Stefano

Cloudia said...

Thanks, dear friends!