Response 8

My response to Amistad:

I am no movie critic, but if I were, this movie would get a five star badge from me. I thought it was absolutely fantastic. This movie forced me to think about how many of the unjust acts that are part of our history are due to the fact that we are, in many ways, ignorant people. In order to win the case and free the slaves, Baldwin had to prove that they did indeed sail from Africa. To me, this is an example of how our ignorance is detrimental. There needed to be proof of where these slaves were from in order to grant them the unalienable rights that every human being is entitled to. Instead of authorizing the punishment of those who captured this ship and were actively involved in the Atlantic Slave Trade, they opted to try to charge the Africans with murder for protecting their rights and their lives. A significant turning point in the movie involved a conversation between John Quincy Adams and Mr. Theodore Joadson:

Adams: “When I was an attorney a long time ago, I learned by trial and error, that whoever tells the best story wins. I offer that scrap of wisdom free of charge.”
Adams: “What is their story?”
Joadson: “Why, they are from West Africa.”
Adams: “No, what is their story? Mr. Joadson, you are from where originally?”
Joadson: “Why, Georgia, sir.”
Adams: “Georgia?”
Joadson: “Yes, sir.”
Adams: “Is that pretty much what you are, your story? No. You’re an ex-slave who has devoted his life to the abolition of slavery and overcoming great obstacles and hardships along the way, I imagine. That’s your story. Isn’t it? Hah. You and this young, so-called lawyer have proven you know what they are. They are Africans. Congratulations! What you don’t know, and as far as I can tell, haven’t bothered in the least to discover, is who they are. Right?”

This scene of the movie reminded me of the quote by Mary Lou Kownacki: "There isn't anyone you couldn't love once you've heard their story."

In essence, this was in fact the issue, there was no love and respect for these slaves. Oftentimes the simple fact of learning about people and acquiring understanding of their desires, their needs, their ambitions, their story, is the answer and the solution.