In the Heat of the Night Reflection

In the Heat of the Night  released in 1967 following a murder mystery in a small southern town is a wonderful film that shows life during the Jim Crow era. The movie follows the main character Virgil Tibbs, played by Sydney Poititer and is centered around the mysterious murder of a wealthy businessman named Philip Colbert.

In the beginning, Virgil Tibbs is the main suspect in the case. He is then put into jail by Police Chief Bill Gillespie. However, it is revealed that Tibbs is not the murderer and is set free. Eventually, he begins working with the local police department to solve the murder since he is a detective from Philadelphia. It was very uncommon for there to be black officers or detectives, especially in the South, creating many questions about his ability to perform his job. 

As the movie progresses, Virgil Tibbs and Officer Gillespie form a bond even though they are in the Jim Crow South, where a friendship like theirs is highly unlikely. At the beginning they didn't see eye to eye and Gillespie was cruel towards Tibbs, however he realises how good of a detective Tibbs is and how he is more knowledgeable than him despite his prior beliefs that black men are not as good as white men. 

One turning point in their relationship is when they go to speak with Mr. Endicott. When talking to him, Tibbs accuses Endicott of murdering Philip Colbert. Endicott slaps Tibbs out of anger and Tibbs retaliates, shocking everyone around them. Gillespie views Tibbs's anger and retaliation toward Endicott as a way that proves that Tibbs is just a man part of the middle class who doesn't want to put up with wealthy white racists aligning Tibbs and Gillespie's beliefs. This event further strengthens their bond and symbolizes how society should unite despite race and realize the similarities that bring them together. 

In conclusion, I really enjoyed watching In the Heat of the Night and would even watch the film again. I think the movie did a great job of showing what life was like in the Jim Crow South for black people. Which, was interesting since they were no longer enslaved but still being treated horribly by whites around them. 

Brown v. Board Mock Trial

We are gathered here today in this courtroom to dispute the case of Brown V. Board. A case that takes place in 1950s America. Some may not think that this was a progressive time for black Americans. However, it was, and many positive events occurred. Why would we side with the board and segregate public schools based on race? When we as a society are moving forward and taking productive steps toward an equal society between white and black citizens where everyone is treated fairly, no matter the color of their skin. 

One of the positive movements for black citizens during this time we can look to is the desegregation of the military. This occurred when the Selective Service and Training Act became law on September 16th, 1940, which included two antidiscrimination clauses allowing black men to enlist and prohibited discrimination in the military. Following this law, Benjamin O. Davis Jr. became the first African Ameican General in the United States Airforce. If we can integrate the military and allow all to fight for this great country we call our home, then why can't we also allow that same group of people to gain an education with their white peers? Aren't we stripping them of something that should be their right? 

We have also begun to change sports by integrating black and white athletes. In 1950, Earl Lyod became the first African American basketball player in the NBA. Athena Gibson became the first Black female athlete to desegregate tennis and golf. She even went on to compete at Wimbledon. Also, in 1908, Jack Johnson became the first Black heavyweight boxing champion of the world, representing the United States of America. Finally, how can we forget Jackie Robinson and how he became the first Black baseball player to play in the American major leagues during the 20th century. He broke the decades-old what some would refer to as the "color line" or "color barrier," which excluded players of African descent from participating in the Major Leagues and Minor leagues.

Look at James Weldon Johnson and what he has been able to do by being provided with an education. I acknowledge that he did go to a segregated High School in Flordia until the eighth grade and then to Atlanta University, which was also segregated. However, he has been able to become an author, professor, lawyer, newspaper founder, and songwriter, all because he gained an education. This is something that can be made more accessible to black people if we end this segregation within our schools.

How is it that nearly ninety years after the abolishment of slavery, we are still fighting for the rights of our own citizens just because of their race? This community has done so much to better America by fighting for our country, representing us on world stages, and uplifting their voices that have been silenced for too long. All they ask, more specifically, all Brown asks for is the right to an education with their fellow Americans. We have come so far as a society; we can not go backward, which is precisely what would happen, your honor, if you were to side with Board today. I urge you to think of the disservice you would be doing to the Black community in this country. Don't they deserve more?