Hollywood Glosses Over Heroism of Nonwhites

Wayne Rogers misses the point if he believes that those of us who have criticized “Ghosts of Mississippi” have done so because we dislike the idea of a white hero in a film related to civil rights (“ ‘Ghosts’ Reflects Noble Crusade,” Counterpunch, Jan. 13).

What is offensive about “Ghosts” is that it focuses on white Dist. Atty. Bobby DeLaughter and, to that extent, it makes Medgar Evers’ widow, Myrlie Evers-Williams, a footnote in history. In a two-hour film, only about 10 minutes is spent on Evers-Williams’ story. It seems that the makers of “Ghosts” were more interested in offering absolution to white Southerners than with offering comfort to the black victims of racist terrorism or with paying homage to black heroes.

In separate Calendar articles (“Waking the Ghosts,” Dec. 13, and “James Woods--So Good at Being Bad,” Jan. 1), director Rob Reiner suggested that it would have been “politically incorrect” for him to focus his movie on Evers and his widow. Reiner seems to think the black community would have crucified him if he had tried.

Such a suggestion is nonsense and terribly unfair to African Americans. Several great films and TV projects about the black experience, directed by whites, have been embraced by blacks, including “In the Heat of the Night” and “A Soldier’s Story” (both by Norman Jewison), “Glory,” “Roots,” “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman” and “The Preacher’s Wife.” (“The Color Purple” was criticized because of its subject matter--incest, domestic violence--rather than that director Steven Spielberg was white.)

History is filled with stories of heroic men and women of all races who stood up for the cause of justice and freedom at great personal risk. But when Hollywood elevates the heroism of whites while ignoring or glossing over the heroism of people of color, people like me feel hurt and offended. “Ghosts” could have been a monumental film about one of the milestone events in American race relations and justice. Instead, it is a mediocre courtroom whodunit that does a disservice to history.

CAMERON TURNER

Monrovia

With respect to Rogers’ comments about whites who participated in the civil rights movement: He just doesn’t get it. Sure there were whites, and they were brave and good people who undoubtedly made a difference and whose contributions were significant.

However, each time a movie comes out about the struggle for democracy and civil rights for African Americans, the focus always seems to be on the emotional toll and moral conflict suffered by the whites involved. In addition to “Ghosts,” consider “Mississippi Burning” and “Glory”: African Americans end up in supporting roles in these stories. I worry about the inherent racism of this situation. It’s as though mainstream Americans can’t be depended upon to identify and feel the pain if forced to identify with a central character who is nonwhite.

EVA PADILLA

Culver City