Where do you stand on the Transgender Issue now that the issue has gotten to the overt point of the open celebration of this lifestyle choice, dictated by certain direct and explicit actions.
84.38% I do not approve of behavior that has within its expressed tenants policies that harm children.
14.06% I do support the Trans Community in all its many facets because diversity is at a premium in today's society.
1.56% What is a "Children's Drag Queen Story Hour?"
For what could well be a rather dubious cinematic first in provocative humor - the setup: Minny Jackson is fired by the controlling Hilly Holbrook for simply using her toilet, and is summarily "blackballed" from any custodial work by balance of the Jackson community. In the spirit of forgiveness, but with a certain twist, she brings Miss Hilly her special chocolate pie (Hilly's favorite), but, oddly, will not allow Hilly's mother, Missus Walters (whom Minny actually deeply respects), to take a slice, which causes a suspicious Hilly, with a mouthful of Minny's special chocolate pie, to mercilessly berate Minny yet one more time. These unkind words from Hilly elicits this uncharacteristically terse, but truthful, response from Minny:
Minny Jackson: "Eat my shit."
Hilly Holbrook: "Excuse me!"
Minny Jackson: "I said eat... my... shit."
Hilly Holbrook: "Have you lost your mind?"
Minny Jackson: "No, ma'am but you is about to. 'Cause you just did."
Hilly's mother, sympathetic to Minny's plight at the hands of her daughter, howled with glee at this turn of events. I must admit, I did as well.
Hard words ... and an even harsher action, even in a most impolite society, but very well deserved for the proper Missus Hilly.
From left to right Skeeter Phelen, Emma Stone - Minny Jackson, Octavia Spencer, Aibileen Clark, Viola Davis share an empathetic moment: Above.
Skeeter's own mother, Charlotte Phelen, played by Allison Janney, reluctantly allowed herself to be cajoled into similar bad behavior by her generation's "Hilly Holbrook," and, understandably, regretted her insensitive actions. After Skeeter wrote her book embellishing the lives of Jackson, Mississippi's "help," she expresses to her daughter in a most cathartic manner: "Courage sometimes skips a generation. Thank you for bringing it back to our family."
It was a touching scene, but one of many, which made this film one of the best of 2011. The essence of the story was told in 146 minutes: the fine ensemble of actors, the rich dialogue, the pace of the narrative, and the cinematography that placed the viewer right into the heart of Jackson, Mississippi made for a uniquely expressive film.
If you lived through these times, whether you are a Southerner or not, you need to see this film. If you are a bit younger in age, you need to see this film to understand a fair representation of how ignorance can taint an otherwise just society, of an otherwise good People.
Lest we forget, and perish from this earth the poorer for never understanding the injustices of an undeserved superiority.
