Once Upon A Time . . . When We Were Colored (1996)

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Once Upon A Time . . . When We Were Colored is an American Drama movie who released on January 26, 1996 (United States).

Directed by Tim Reid he re-creates the world of a black community in the rural South in the years from 1946 to 1962, as hardline segregation gradually fell to the assault of the civil rights movement. It is a memory of the close bonds of family, friends and church that grew up to sustain such communities, in a society where an American version of apartheid was the law. [1] This movie starring

  • Al Freeman Jr. as Poppa
  • Phylicia Rashad as Ma Ponk
  • Leon as Uncle Melvin
  • Paula Kelly as Ma Pearl
  • Charles Earl Taylor Jr. as Cliff (5 Yrs.)
  • Salli Richardson as Miss Alice
  • Anna Maria Horsford as Miss Annie

Plot

This film tells the story of a strongly connected Afro-American community informally called Colored Area, where people live and rely on each other in a world where racial injustice is everywhere, as a boy called Cliff, who spent his childhood there. Despite this, with all its joys and sorrows, we see the life of the city, of those who live there, while others seek to go north for a better life. For those left, when a successful businessman is being muscled out by a white rival using racial violence, things come to a severe situation. In response, the community must make the decision of whether to submit meekly like they always have, or finally fight for their rights.

Pro

Once-upon-a-time-when-we-were-colored.2 f.jpg

"Segregation was wrong and hurtful, but the system did provide a benefit for them: The black community was self-sufficient, supporting its own tradespeople, school teachers, ministers and craftsmen, who provided role models for young people growing up." The movie depicts there is also a good thing which is being self-sufficient and have strong connection in the community even though many of racial prejudice and racism.[2]

Controversy

How sad it is, to imagine his young age and the first thing to be taught was racism because he is Black.There is a scene when Poppa (Cliff's grandfather) teaches him his first words (“Whites Only” and “Colored”) because there is a lot of place with the sign like that who he cant avoid it and exposes him to a Ku Klux Klan parade, where the boy first experiences blatant racism.[3]

Reference

  1. Once Upon a Time...When We Were Colored (1995). Berkeley Library. Retrieved January 14, 2021
  2. Roger Ebert. Once Upon A Time . . . When We Were Colored. Rogerebert. January 26, 1996. Retrieved January 14, 2021
  3. Emanuel Levy. Once Upon a Time … When We Were Colored. Variety. Jan 7, 1996. Retrieved January 14, 2021