Senate Sketches # 1074
NOTE: Sen. Hank Sanders has written a weekly column for papers in his legislative district for the past twenty years. These rural, weekly papers lack a web presence, and links to the columns are not typically otherwise available. The column below is provided by Sen. Sanders’ office for inclusion in the Daily News Digest.
Senate Sketches # 1074
By
Senator Hank Sanders
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I fought back tears on numerous occasions. I tried mightily to limit the feelings of fear, shame and anger. I struggled repeatedly to keep my joy from exploding. Still my pride swelled and burst forth in spite of my best efforts. And all this was just a response to a movie.
The Great Debaters touched me deeply and profoundly. I left the theater thinking that this was the best movie I had ever seen. I was, as the old folks say, “Filled to the brim.”
The Great Debaters is about achieving excellence. Excellence in spite of great odds. Excellence in spite of color barriers. Excellence in spite of size. Excellence in spite of age. Excellence in spite of gender. Excellence in spite of family challenges. Excellence in spite of racism.
The movie is based on a true story. The setting is the 1930s at Wiley College, a small black institution of higher learning with fewer than 400 students. The time period is the Great Depression. The times are tough for most, but especially African Americans.
Denzel Washington plays the role of debate teacher who demands and receives excellence from all who try out for the debate team, but especially the four chosen as members. The four debaters span the gamut of gender, privilege, family, age, etc. For example, one has no family and another is just 14 years of age. The common denominator is commitment to excellence.
A mantra is repeated throughout the movie that captures the spirit that makes excellence possible. And it goes like this. “Who is your judge?” the teacher asks. The four debaters respond, “God is my judge.” The teacher continues, “Why is God your judge?” The debaters respond, “He decides whether we win or lose, not my opponent.” The teacher probes further, “Who is your opponent?” The debaters respond, “He does not exist. He is merely a dissenting voice to the truth I speak.”
The mantra is about doing our very best. After all, that is what true excellence is. Every time we do our best, we win. Every time we do less than our best, we lose. No man or woman can judge whether we have done our best. Only God can judge that. God is the judge.
This mantra helped the Great Debaters to forego worrying about judges treating them wrongly for racial or other reasons. With all the odds against them, it would have been easy to think the judges might be against them also. Just to consider such a possibility would prevent them from doing their best and, therefore, achieving excellence. God alone judged whether they did their best.
There is something in each of us that longs for excellence. We long for excellence in ourselves. We long for excellence in others. Deep inside we know that excellence is its own reward. It may be the ultimate reward.
In the movie, the debaters take on all comers: from other small, unknown colleges; from well-known elite black colleges; from the elite of the elite white Ivy League universities. They build an impressive debate record while fighting their own personal challenges.
Denzel not only stars in the movie but directs it also. I really love the way the movie is put together. Every scene is necessary and pointed. Every dialogue is real and yet symbolic. Every story a puzzle piece within the larger puzzle. A place for everything, and everything in its place. The acting is excellent. Every character is superbly played. Every performance comes alive. Everything is real.
Because the movie is centrally about excellence, it is appropriate that it met its own standard of excellence. It certainly is an excellent movie in every sense of the word.
Why did this movie touch me so deeply? Is it because the central characters are black as I am? Is it because the characters strove so determinedly for excellence in spite of great odds? Is it because they overcame such long odds? I don’t know the answers to my questions, but I was ready to see the movie again immediately. And that has never happened to me before.
Now on to the Daily Diary.
Saturday - I handled many work matters. I also briefly visited 105.3 Radio Station to participate in its gift-giving program for children.
Sunday - I did Radio Sunday School, Radio Education and Sunday Review. I also participated in Sunday School and Church services before sharing lunch with Kindaka Sanders and Miche1le Alexandre. I worked on several other matters before seeking refuges in reading.
Monday - I worked during this Christmas Eve. Among those I talked to were the following: Senator Lowell Barron, Phillip Brookings of Mississippi; Lobbyist John Teague; and Lester Brown of Greene County. I also talked to others and managed to read a whole lot during the night.
Tuesday - I traveled from Selma to Birmingham for a family gathering even though the central family figure, Mrs. Ora Lee Gaines, passed earlier this year. My role, since her husband passed some years ago, has been to lead the family prayer on Christmas. I performed my usual role in spite of changed circumstances. I had two lists of more than 20 persons to call for Christmas. Most were senior citizens. I put in a call to every one of them, reaching most of them. I returned to Selma for a second family gathering at our home and a discussion about excellence.
Wednesday - I handled various matters before traveling to Gulf Shores/Orange Beach with my core family and their children and significant others. I shared dinner with Dr. Paul Hubbert and his wife, Ann. I also talked with Senate President Pro Tem Hinton Mitchem and his employee Sharon Wheeler.
Thursday - I cooked breakfast for the family and spent lots of time with my grandchildren. The whole family went to see the movie, The Great Debaters. Then we debated the movie over a family dinner.
Friday - I began writing Sketches. I also met briefly with Dr. Paul Hubbert of the Alabama Education Association. I traveled to Daphne and Mobile, Alabama, and Biloxi, Mississippi and then back to Daphne and Gulf Shores/Orange Beach. I met with Senator Hinton Mitchem and spoke with Janet Buskey of Lieutenant Governor Jim Folsom’s office. I also went to a concert by Patti Labelle. I was accused of falling asleep during the concert. I refused to admit it.
EPILOGUE - Every now and then something weaves together multiple threads of our lives, capturing our highest hopes and our deepest fears. That’s what the Great Debaters did for me, touching me profoundly. I wish you such an experience.
Index of Sanders' Senate Sketches
Doesn’t the dialogue actually go, “Who is the judge?” (answer)”The judge is God.” They’re not saying God is the judge but rather the judge of the debate is God in the realm of the debate because he decides who wins or loses.
I’m just sayin’…
Comment by Gigi — February 1, 2008 @ 9:43 pm