I
remember visiting my grandparents, who lived in New Jersey, and my cousins, who
still live in Lincoln, Nebraska during my elementary years. My mother, two
brothers and sister would endure the eight hour ride out to the east coast once
a year to hang with my mother’s parents. My father on the other hand, seemed to
always have work to do, ironically enough. Since Cleveland, Ohio to Lincoln,
Nebraska tops the list of “The Longest and Most Boring Drives in the Country,”
we chose to make the 16 hour drive once every three years or so. Despite this
infrequency, one can imagine how much time my family spent in our Honda
minivan. Since kids under the age of 13 cannot sit still in a car for more than
an hour at a time, and since we frequently drove across the northeastern United
States with four children under the age of 13, my mother permitted us to bring
the portable television and VCR on our trips. These road trips allowed me to
learn and memorize every line from the movie, “Remember the Titans.” Often
times seen up to three separate times on a road trip, I quickly became
acquainted with the characters and actor of Denzel Washington. At my young age,
I did not understand the importance of the racial segregation depicted within
the movie, or the appreciation for the movie’s fantastic soundtrack, or the
talent of the actors, or even the comical quotes and scenes captured by the
filmmakers. I just loved to watch football. About a month ago, I found myself
browsing the channels on my television and stumbled upon the astounding film
featured on ABC Family. Denzel Washington huddled up his football team in the
locker room before their first game, looked at each of his players and told
them, “Like all the other schools in this conference, they (the opponent) are
all white. They don't have to worry about race. We do. But let me tell you something:
you don't let anyone come between us. Nothing tears us apart.” After Denzel
finished his sentence, I wished nothing more than to go back in time and join
the Civil Rights March on Washington. Excuse me, for I find myself jumping
ahead and confusing those who have yet to experience the thrill of watching
this movie. Allow me to provide a brief synopsis. Based on a true story, “Remember
the Titans” begins with the integration of blacks and whites into a Virginia
high school by the name of T.C. Williams in 1971. Teammates on the football
team hate each other based on the color of each other’s skin. Even the coaches
have trouble getting along. However, against impossible odds, these high school
boys find a way to turn their animosity into brotherhood, weaving an inspiring tale
one cannot miss. Every moment in “Remember the Titans” on and off the football
field carries a wide range of emotions from that of misery to exhilaration.
Denzel Washington’s character as coach of the T.C. Williams football team, constantly
inspires his audience with quotes of community, pride and morality. To this
day, my brothers and I quote the movie, when we remember the Titans.
LEFT SIDE! STRONG SIDE! I cannot underrate the quality of Remember the Titans, but I do not think we can pinpoint it as Denzel's finest performance. Look at the man's filmography that includes Malcolm X, The Hurricane, Training Day, American Gangster, and Flight. Personally, I consider Inside Man as the best movie he stars in. Respect Denzel because he will not hesitate to "break [his] foot off in your John Brown hind parts."
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