Separation As Depicted In The Film 'The Long Walk Home'

Racism and segregation have been critical issues in granting equality for minorities during the Civil Rights Movement. For many decades, the United States has endured a division of whites and blacks during the period segregation. Separation is still evident in the current century as evidenced by the presence of black neighborhoods and white neighborhoods (Roland, 3). The film The Long Walk Home directed by Richard Pearce set up in a pre-colonial era in 1956 that discusses issues directly and indirectly. The introductory scene introduces the major theme that involved the history of civil rights by including black and white images. The title of the movie enables viewers to understand the character’s point of view as they find their way to arrive

Many Americans despised the period of segregation, and examining the movie tells the viewer that racial discrimination was important in achieving the American dream. Despite ones’ race or the color of their skin, the American dream focuses on having the accessibility of equal civil rights to all people who live in America. Separation is vivid in the movie just by examining how the women of different race boards the bus. Women who are of white decent ride on the first bus, while black women board the bus behind. A white housewife named Miriam Thompson, overtime was disappointed with racial segregation in the south. Her views changed as a direct result of her Black maid Odessa Cotter being disadvantage getting from and to work. Mrs. Thompson overtime wanted to accomplish the American Dream where people have freedom from segregation and discrimination. To support the cause for change, Mrs. Thompson would be sometimes transportation for Odessa even though the city they stay in has laws which prohibited people of color the use of public

She began a carpooling service that would help black women obtain rides to and from work. Miriam rebel against her husband wishes which he informed her to stop trying to be involved with the people of color. Norman, Miriam’s husband, learns of Miriam’s carpooling service and has it shut down along with her brother Tucker. When Miriam tries to stop the two from shutting down the service, Tucker slaps Miriam then Norman fights Tucker for slapping his wife. At the scene, there was a crowd, and white people were yelling the slogan “walk nigga walk,” while Miriam joined the black women as they sung and held hands to show solidarity.

The essay argues how racial profiling, segregation, and harassment was necessary for the achievement of the American dream. According to Cullen, the American dream sought to ensure that all citizens were happier, richer, and better across all ranks (4). Majority of Americans were working as slaves and suffered humiliation from the public because of their skin color and natural origin in 1776 when America gained its independence. The film, which was set up in the 1950s, proved that 180 years later, the American dream was far from being