The rivalry between two Hollywood filmmakers has shed light on the issue of minority representation in the media in America. Spike Lee and Clint Eastwood have quarreled over Eastwood’s last two movies about World War II hostilities in Iwo Jima.
Clint Eastwood made two consecutive films about Iwo Jima. The last one is about American soldiers raising and waiving the flag after defeating the enemy. The Battle of Iwo Jima featured the capture of the island of Iwo Jima from the Japanese during the Pacicific Campaign of World War II. The battle, known as Operation Detachment was aimed at capturing the airfields of this part of Japanese territory.
Yet not only the movie shows no blacks waiving or raising the flag but also does not include images of black soldiers at all. The main question that might be asked is where were those hundred blacks soldiers who fought in an ammunition company at Iwo Jima.
In fact, Thomas McPhatter, a US Marines sergeant who crawled up the landing beach under a hail of Japanese fire, was one of hundreds of black servicemen involved in the attack.”
Spike lee attacked Eastwood by arguing that "Of all the movies that have been made of Iwo Jima, you never see a black face. This is the last straw. I feel like I've been denied, I've been insulted, I've been mistreated. But what can you do? We still have a strong underlying force in my country of rabid racism."
I do contend that it is a big mistake to make a film off Iwo Jima without showing any image of black soldiers in it. History has revealed that there were actually two different scenes when raising the flag. The first one had black soldiers in it but the picture has never been taken. In fact Thomas McPhatter helped provide the pipe that was used to raise the flag. There are also reports that cameras were turned away when some black soldiers showed up for the picture. Yet, this episode must not be considered a racist fact from Eastwood as he based the story on the way America has wanted it to be known.
Clint Eastwood made two consecutive films about Iwo Jima. The last one is about American soldiers raising and waiving the flag after defeating the enemy. The Battle of Iwo Jima featured the capture of the island of Iwo Jima from the Japanese during the Pacicific Campaign of World War II. The battle, known as Operation Detachment was aimed at capturing the airfields of this part of Japanese territory.
Yet not only the movie shows no blacks waiving or raising the flag but also does not include images of black soldiers at all. The main question that might be asked is where were those hundred blacks soldiers who fought in an ammunition company at Iwo Jima.
In fact, Thomas McPhatter, a US Marines sergeant who crawled up the landing beach under a hail of Japanese fire, was one of hundreds of black servicemen involved in the attack.”
Spike lee attacked Eastwood by arguing that "Of all the movies that have been made of Iwo Jima, you never see a black face. This is the last straw. I feel like I've been denied, I've been insulted, I've been mistreated. But what can you do? We still have a strong underlying force in my country of rabid racism."
I do contend that it is a big mistake to make a film off Iwo Jima without showing any image of black soldiers in it. History has revealed that there were actually two different scenes when raising the flag. The first one had black soldiers in it but the picture has never been taken. In fact Thomas McPhatter helped provide the pipe that was used to raise the flag. There are also reports that cameras were turned away when some black soldiers showed up for the picture. Yet, this episode must not be considered a racist fact from Eastwood as he based the story on the way America has wanted it to be known.
I do think this is an opportunity once again to rewrite a lot of chapters concerning the history of blacks in this country. The media should be at the forefront of this battle to establish truth and fairness as far as historical facts about minorities are concerned. This will be part of the healing process of the wound created by many years of oppression and denial. It is only in this perspective that America will be able to overcome divisive issues over race.
1 comment:
I am really interested in what you think the Media should do? We will touch on this in class tomorrow? Explore what the comments were in the communication between these two directors? That is the crucial aspect of your blog, that would be interesting from you point of view.
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