“Stay Woke” and “Mighty Times”
The 2 documentaries titled “Stay Woke” and “Mighty Times” showcase how young people are and were truly powerful activists in social movements. In both earlier years and our most recent years, it has been the youth of America that unite together to spread awareness and make changes in policies.
While I was watching both documentaries, I witnessed the strong similarities and connections from years ago and now. In “Stay Woke,” the youth uses social media such as Twitter and Facebook to display the truth through live video as well as images and words that send a message and call for action. In “Mighty Times” during 1963 in Birmingham, Alabama the “most racist and the most segregated city in the south," the youth used their own form of social media which was through a radio DJ. They talked in code so that no one even realized the type of movement that was about to take place by the children. The DJ host reminded children that it was going to be D-day and “there was going to be a party in the park.” They also used songs as signals for action. Although in Birmingham, Alabama they did not have the advantages of multiple means of social media, those children were informed and were prepared for this significant movement together. Likewise, police brutality was made clearly evidence in both “Stay Woke” and “Mighty Times.” The use of force from authorities in both scenes is inhumane. Today we have the sophistication of guns and police use tear gas as opposed to opening water hoses in earlier days. Although both scenes look like war, the youth unite and fight together. In "Stay Woke," they even show people marching together who had to teach one another how to cope with tear gas.
I thought it was a vital message in “Stay Woke” when historian Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor said “is this a moment or a movement?” There is later conversation about how each of these events together that make up Black Lives Matter movement became a “human movement” in which social media is the main source that gives young people a voice. The visuals that pop up through America’s screens impact people to become activists and as the film states, “accelerates the level of activism.” The media also allows for culture shifts where actors, actresses, NBA players, NFL players speak out on social issues and empower more people to join the movement. Social media allows for immediate access, however some news programs hide or alter the truth. In the clip about inaccurate reporting, the speaker mentions that although this news broadcast reports about riots, they never report about “the living conditions” of the communities these people come from. This reminded me about the film “Unnatural Causes” and the TedTalk by Andrade where they both illustrate how so many of these layers of challenges stem from the inequalities surrounding communities where people come from due to society and policies.
Towards the end of “Stay Woke,” Brittany Packnett, an activist educator, makes reference to the importance of the fact that this is a movement. It is not something that you wake up to and then fall back to sleep about or forget about in a few days. You have to become aware and stay aware. Packnett states, “Get woke, stay woke.” Be present and active in the movement towards change because “we are responsible.” I thought many of the speakers in this documentary were inspiring. Click here to listen to a Ted Talk which is an interview with the founders of Black Lives Matter.
The 2 documentaries titled “Stay Woke” and “Mighty Times” showcase how young people are and were truly powerful activists in social movements. In both earlier years and our most recent years, it has been the youth of America that unite together to spread awareness and make changes in policies.
While I was watching both documentaries, I witnessed the strong similarities and connections from years ago and now. In “Stay Woke,” the youth uses social media such as Twitter and Facebook to display the truth through live video as well as images and words that send a message and call for action. In “Mighty Times” during 1963 in Birmingham, Alabama the “most racist and the most segregated city in the south," the youth used their own form of social media which was through a radio DJ. They talked in code so that no one even realized the type of movement that was about to take place by the children. The DJ host reminded children that it was going to be D-day and “there was going to be a party in the park.” They also used songs as signals for action. Although in Birmingham, Alabama they did not have the advantages of multiple means of social media, those children were informed and were prepared for this significant movement together. Likewise, police brutality was made clearly evidence in both “Stay Woke” and “Mighty Times.” The use of force from authorities in both scenes is inhumane. Today we have the sophistication of guns and police use tear gas as opposed to opening water hoses in earlier days. Although both scenes look like war, the youth unite and fight together. In "Stay Woke," they even show people marching together who had to teach one another how to cope with tear gas.
I thought it was a vital message in “Stay Woke” when historian Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor said “is this a moment or a movement?” There is later conversation about how each of these events together that make up Black Lives Matter movement became a “human movement” in which social media is the main source that gives young people a voice. The visuals that pop up through America’s screens impact people to become activists and as the film states, “accelerates the level of activism.” The media also allows for culture shifts where actors, actresses, NBA players, NFL players speak out on social issues and empower more people to join the movement. Social media allows for immediate access, however some news programs hide or alter the truth. In the clip about inaccurate reporting, the speaker mentions that although this news broadcast reports about riots, they never report about “the living conditions” of the communities these people come from. This reminded me about the film “Unnatural Causes” and the TedTalk by Andrade where they both illustrate how so many of these layers of challenges stem from the inequalities surrounding communities where people come from due to society and policies.
Towards the end of “Stay Woke,” Brittany Packnett, an activist educator, makes reference to the importance of the fact that this is a movement. It is not something that you wake up to and then fall back to sleep about or forget about in a few days. You have to become aware and stay aware. Packnett states, “Get woke, stay woke.” Be present and active in the movement towards change because “we are responsible.” I thought many of the speakers in this documentary were inspiring. Click here to listen to a Ted Talk which is an interview with the founders of Black Lives Matter.
The Stay Woke documentary showed the world how American was feeling at the moment. The cry for justice for all, the cry to end discrimination was very much palpable. Police brutality was destroying society as African Americans were always being affected by racism and mistreatment.
ReplyDeleteThe Black Lives Matter Movement was born to try to bring justice back to society. Social media payed a significant role in showcasing the cruelty that African American were being subject to.
Twitter and Facebook to presented live images as events were unfolding. These videos and images were very powerful. The world was able to see what Black America living.These live images sent a strong message (we need change and we needed now). We need justice for all mankind and we needed now!
Mighty Times presented the story of how African American people of Birmingham braved arrest, fire hoses, and police dogs in 1963 is very inspiring to those who never thought children could gain enough power, strength to bring the system of oppression and abuse down to its knees.
ReplyDeletePeople and children of Birmingham Alabama could now benefit from the same rights white people enjoyed. Unfortunately, lives were lost on the process, but the survivors could now walk freely without feeling fear for their life. The community united and sang in one voice. The song was so loud that the government had no choice but to stop their oppressive laws. Black American wanted to have the same rights white America had.
The Radio played an important part in this story. How? by sending out live images of children being hosed down, being arrested, being abused. The White House was looking at this images and because the images being projected did not make the government and the Presetting look good, an announcement was made. Black America could now enjoy the same rights that white Americans enjoyed. The government was not looking out for children. Precisely the platform that took ended all was children. The children and the media were the true heroes that brought back justice during the civil rights era.
Well said, Lauren! It is so interesting that the social media of the times kicked in to get things started: the radio DJ in 1963 and Facebook, etc. today. I was so impressed with the children in 1963 as I am today. Each time there was another shooting in the past few years I was aghast! How could this possibly happen - AGAIN! And then the backlash where random police were (and are) being trapped/scammed/killed. None of this is good, None of it right.
ReplyDeleteLauren,
ReplyDeleteAs you referred to, I was also hit by the phrase "Get woke, Stay woke." When things are not right in front of our eyes, we seem to forget about the injustices that goes on every day. As was clear in these films, there was injustice towards black people in 1963 and it remains an unjust world. The movements must live on in our minds so that we continue to fight for what is right and just.