Introduction
In 2018, BlacKkKlansman was released as a biographical comedy film that depicts some historical events in the United States in the 1970s. Spike Lee, the film director, tells the story of an African American police officer who contacts the Ku Klux Klan and infiltrates their ranks to uncover their sinister plans. It is important to note that this film sparked a wave of emotions in American society and became one of the most discussed films of 2018. The purpose of this essay is to discuss the film and analyze how it can contribute to a better understanding of American history.
Film Summary
In the film, the story of African American police officer Ron Stallworth is presented. Stallworth was a real person who worked in the police department of Colorado Springs in the late 1970s. He was assigned to infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan to find out their plans and thwart them.
To do this, he came up with a scheme and persuaded his white colleague Flip Zimmerman to pose as Stallworth, a white radical who wanted to join the Ku Klux Klan. Flip successfully passed the interview at the Ku Klux Klan and met the organization’s leader (BlacKkKlansman). During the investigation, police officers discovered that the Ku Klux Klan planned a terrorist attack, and Stallworth and his team decided to prevent this act and arrest the perpetrators.
How the Film Contributes to the Understanding of the US History
In spite of being a comedy film, BlacKkKlansman deeply touches on issues of racism, prejudice, and discrimination in American society. It underscores the hardships experienced by African Americans who continue to face such problems even today. Thus, the film explores the themes of racism, white supremacy, and police brutality, which are all significant issues in American history.
The portrayal of the Ku Klux Klan in the film is a reminder of the organization’s history of violence and intimidation against African Americans, Jews, and other marginalized groups. It also sheds light on the fact that the Klan had members in positions of power, including law enforcement, which allowed them to carry out their hateful acts with impunity (BlacKkKlansman). It is possible to state that BlacKkKlansman not only shows history but also elicits much deeper emotions from viewers.
The film reminds us that issues related to racism in American society are far from being resolved. One should state that BlacKkKlansman touches on the civil rights movement and its struggles, as well as the tension and conflict between the black community and the police force, providing many details regarding the daily life of African Americans in the 1970s. The film effectively portrays the historical context of the 1970s and explains how the events of that time have shaped the present-day issues of systemic racism and police brutality. Overall, BlacKkKlansman shows that despite long struggles for civil rights and overcoming some problems, these issues still remain relevant and must be addressed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, one should note that BlacKkKlansman is a powerful film that represents a sharp commentary on the current state of American society, providing a deep historical context for the development of the civil rights movement. The film allows for reminding viewers that the fight for civil rights and against racism is a process that required and requires sustained efforts and that each member of society must participate in this process. It is possible to state that BlacKkKlansman provides an effective historical commentary on the events of the 1970s in American society.
Work Cited
BlacKkKlansman. Directed by Spike Lee, Universal Pictures, 2018.