BlackKlansman

BlackKlansman                                                                                                                                  8/29/18

I am only familiar with a few of Spike Lee’s movies but I think this must be one of his most powerful movies. It tackles race issues in the 60’s and 70’s. In the present political upheaval it’s poignancy remains relevant.  It is based on the true story of Ron Stallworth, the first black cop at Colorado Spring. His conflict is how to the support the burgeoning black power movement and be a cop protecting  both blacks and whites at the same time.

The movie starts with a racial harangue  delivered by Dr. Kennebrew Beauregad, played by Alex Baldwin. He nearly spits out his racial epitaphs and almost busts a vein. Ron, played by John David Washington,  is a rookie in the intelligence unit. Ron contacts the KKK from an ad in the paper. Using his white voice he manages to secure a meeting. Obviously he can not go the meeting so they recruit a white cop named Flip Zimmerman, played by Adam Driver.  Ironically Flip is Jewish, another favorite target of the Klan.

Aside from infiltrating the Klan, Ron finds himself in the rise of black power with Stokely Carmichael, aka Kwame Ture, giving a passionate speech. He is conflicted by two forces empathizing with the black power movement and his duty as a police officer.  He does not see them as mutually exclusive.

The Klansmen are stereotypical rednecks. Castigating anyone not white Christian, drinking beer and shooting guns. One  gun range had metal cut outs of racist black targets riddled with bullets. As the camera pulls back the cut outs look like slaves on a march. An almost comical scene is when black Ron, using his white voice, elitists compliments from David Duke.

John David Washington plays the role confidently cool. He keeps his pride and anger in check even when  he is disparaged  on the force. He is not discouraged and keeps his swagger in check. Adam Driver, who plays white Ron in his usual laid back style, finds himself in some perilous situations with the Klan. His wit and acting like a bigot gets him through some life threating situations.

The great Harry Belafonte has a cameo as a civil rights  activist from the 60’s telling a true story of a past lynching. By showing past racial violence Lee is making a connection to current white supremacists.

 At a Klan gathering there is the rallying cry of “America First”. This is an unvarnished reference to Trump and his supports. In the end of the movie there is news footage of the  2017 melee at Charlottesville. Transitioning  from movie to news footage makes the Klan visceral.

By depicting the start of the black power movement and ending with the Charlottesville riot, Lee is almost asking  has anything changed? Wearing chinos, polo shirts and marching with tiki torches is superficial but hate is intractable.