Students gain insight into troubled history

Imagine standing on a bridge. The day is warm and humid. A lazy river makes its way beneath you. People stand in front of you, behind you, to the side. You are all united by one purpose: the right to vote. And less that a hundred yards from you is another group fully armed with not just night sticks and tear gas, but hate. Hate so livid and vile it would drive them to kill someone for no crime other than having more melanin in their skin. This is the reality of the civil rights movement, a time in history every Sisters High School (SHS) student was able to experience last week.

On Wednesday, January 28, the students of Sisters High School were given an exceptional opportunity. Thanks to an anonymous donor, students had the privilege of seeing the movie "Selma" at Sisters Movie House.

"Selma," which is directed by Ava DuVernay, records one slice of the 1960s civil rights movement in rural Selma, Alabama. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (David Oyelowo) and his compatriots protest in this southern town with one specific reason: votes for African-American citizens. Although the 14th Amendment gave them the technical right, apathy from the White House and overwhelming racism from local governments kept blacks from the polls for years, through intimidation and outrageous requirements. The movie documents these atrocities and the brave men and women who stood up to say enough is enough. Other notable actors included Oprah Winfrey and Tom Wilkinson.

The high school teachers were thrilled by this opportunity. They all emphasized both the generosity of the donor and the impact of the experience. Gail Greaney, SHS history teacher, was quick to point out that many civil rights activists were also high school students, enforcing just how relevant and applicable the movie was. Other teachers raised awareness as to how important it was the event be taken seriously. They all firmly believed the events depicted in "Selma" were significant events in history and that every student should understand their effect on the United States.

The story was heartbreaking. As Sisters Movie House owner Lisa Clausen said, during viewing "the only sounds were some tears." Time and time again students brought up the death of one of the protesters, a young man, who was shot and killed by a police officer. The movie focuses intensely on his family's grief. In a world where people are easily desensitized to brutality this movie brought it to the forefront and forced its viewers to realize just how bad things were. As many students noted, white people hated blacks with such a passion it drove them beyond logic and into monstrosity.

The movie loses none of its punch in recording events from 50 years ago. If anything, it is even more relevant, as freshman Shae Gascon pointed out. In light of recent events in New York and Ferguson, the question of race relations has risen again. Selma highlights how far the nation has come, and also how far there is to go. The anonymous donor and high school staff both believed that it is important for students to be aware of these facts, stomach-churning and heartbreaking as they may be.

Approximately 90 percent of Sisters High School students were able to attend and are grateful for this unique opportunity. As 11th-grader Tara Greaney said, "Understanding the events of the past will help us make a better future as we ourselves become adults."