It's time to teach our children how to survie on the cusp of a racial cliff in 2015

buzzz worthy. . .
My 15-year-old and a friend saw "Selma" together.   When they returne from the moviee I asked, "What was the main take away from the film?"  It was emotionally draining for her:    "They went through so much for us.  I cried because I knew it was real,"   she said of the impact of the cinematic portrayal of one of the darkest hours in American History.  Overall, the triumph over injustice resonated the most.  "At the end," she said, "it was beautiful."  Indeed, the "beauty" of any struggle is progress. I wanted to embrace her and  talk of the coming of better days, but dcided to have "the talk."

 The struggle for equality and justice remains real today, voting rights are still under attack 50 years after the voting rights act they were fighting to establish in the movie was written into lae.as in 2015 the 50th Anniversary f the Voting Rights act. What little African American  history that is being taught in schools today is often  down-played as a picturesque fairytale.  As a parent I have educated my children to understand the struggle for Civil Rights was real.  Sadly, when I think of the Selma of the past, I can't help but think of Ferguson today.   The current state of racial flux in our nation following crimes that that are diaproportionately committed against Blacks by law enforcement officers has propelled a new movement, #BlackLivesMatter.   It is important that we ALL (Black, White and other) know where we have come from so we can now where we are going. Not only is it important for educational purposes, but for our protection. 

 The timing of Ava Durvenay's film makes it more than a period piece, or a sad storu that causes one to geet "in her feelings".  racially prompoted civil unrest in Recent times   draw the story more into focus on a new set  of race-based challenges that renew "tears for fears."  As such, it is time that parents have "the talk" with this generation.  It is a conversation that we never thoguht we would have ot have as our forparent handed off a futre in starkcontrat to their past. Those who forget the past are destined to repeat  it. We must raise them to be gaured without adopting the emtioal dispoitions of our weary years. We must teach our children to live and stand fo their rights without getting killed.

Selma is a realistic reminder of the struggle and progress for freedom a equality.

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