Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Ta-Nehisi Coates’ Between the World and Me, and Richard De Witt’s independent film Marbles and Bullets all make significant contributions to the ongoing discourse on racial justice. In her novel Uncle Tom's Cabin, Beecher Stowe shines a light on the injustices of slavery in pre-Civil War America, and her work remains a powerful symbol of the abolitionist movement.
Harriet Tubman explaining the facts of the current situation… From the new, independent film Marbles and Bullets, by filmmaker Richard De Witt
Ta-Nehisi Coates’ book, Between the World and Me, takes a personal approach to the ongoing struggle for racial justice. Born and raised in Baltimore, Coates lived through the typical fears faced by Black people in America and had two formative experiences that shaped his understanding of the world. He writes about these experiences and reflects on the fears he has for himself, the Black community, and his son. The book is a moving meditation on what it means to be Black in America and the fear that comes with that identity.
In Richard De Witt’s independent film Marbles and Bullets, the filmmaker explores the issue of violence and its effects on humanity. The film is a powerful reminder of the continued fight for racial justice, and the need for change in the criminal justice system. The film highlights the role of critical race theory, which critiques and challenges traditional legal norms and assumptions, in shaping our understanding of the ongoing struggle for racial justice.
The works of Beecher Stowe, Coates, and De Witt all bring a unique perspective to the ongoing struggle for racial justice and highlight the different ways in which this struggle is being waged. Beecher Stowe's novel was groundbreaking in its time, and its impact can still be felt today. Coates' book is a deeply personal reflection on what it means to be Black in America and the fear that comes with that identity. Marbles and Bullets is a powerful reminder of the fight for racial justice that has been going on in the U.S. since the beginning, and the need for change in the American system.
Jeremiah confronts Samuel after watching Uncle Tom’s Cabin. From the film Marbles and Bullets, by filmmaker Richard De Witt.
Together, these works represent a larger struggle for racial justice that has been ongoing for centuries. As we continue to grapple with the complexities of this struggle, it is important to remember the contributions of these artists and activists and to use their works as a starting point for continued discussion and action. Whether it is through the written word, film, or other forms of expression, it is essential that we continue to work towards a world in which all people are treated with dignity and respect, regardless of race.
TLDR;
Ta-Nehisi Coates, born and raised in Baltimore, experienced the fear and violence faced by Black Americans firsthand. The death of his acquaintance Prince Jones and the birth of his son motivated Coates to reflect on the struggle for racial justice in America. Coates' book "Between the World and Me" sheds light on these experiences and the impact of critical race theory. Filmmaker Richard De Witt's independent film "Marbles and Bullets" adds to the ongoing discourse on these issues.