Police responded to Seaholm High School in Birmingham, Michigan where school officials and parents got into a brawl. The altercation happened after a class went on a field trip to see Hidden Figures, a film spotlighting Black women who were “othered” during America’s Space Race in the early 1960s.
On Thursday, when a student used a racial slur during the bus ride back to the school, it set off a confrontation with other students. A teacher talking to a student about the encounter in the school’s hallway later was then derided by a parent, resulting in the parent shoving the teacher. The parent who physically assaulted the teacher was then ordered to stay away from the school.
One of the parents of the students also states that a white student used a racial slur at another white student, with a Black student confronting them about their use of the N-word.
Accolades and Awards – Hidden Figures Is a Necessary Film
Released on December 25, 2016, Hidden Figures is already positioning itself as an immersive film that can be used as an educational platform – for school children who can handle it. It has received relatively positive reviews, with the movie already grossing over $26 million in its second weekend. The National Board of Review, which was formed to celebrate the constitutional freedom of expression, has designated this film as one of the top 10 films of 2016. Hidden Figures has been nominated for two Golden Globes.
Deterioration of Racial Relations in America
The majority of Americans think that race relations have worsened in America, with many proposed factors contributing to it. Many citizens and political pundits blame shootings of police officers, police brutality, and the Republican Party’s tolerance for racism. It is definitely something that we need to work on being better about.
What do you think about the incident at Seaholm High School? Do you believe it is a symptom of a larger problem?
Watch the official trailer for the film here:
Featured image from YouTube video.
