Plot Summary
Remember the Titans is a movie based on real story set in 1971. The story is set in a small town in Virginia that was still experiencing the impacts of segregation, and the residents were somewhat at odds with matters surrounding racism.
Nowadays it is not easy to believe that several decades ago the learning institutions in the United States were highly segregated, and as such African American and the whites had no option but to attend separate schools. Fortunately, we are currently accustomed to integrated institutions where learners from all races participate together. The integration process resulted in lots of turmoil at the start. It is in that season of chaos which Remembers the Titans occurred, in a meager town, Alexandria, Virginia.
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Premised on the actual story, Remember the Titans take a look at the start of Alexandria integration, both the friendship and racism that emanate from overcoming prejudice (Howard, 2001). At the core of the movie, we locate the Titans, T.C Williams High School football team. That is the film setting starring Denzel Washington who does a portrayal of Herman Boone, the Titans lead coach.
Herman Boone comes in as an assistant coach to tea up with an entire all-White coaching staff. The moment Herman Boone receives an appointment to be the head coach over a winning white coach he becomes reluctant to accept. That is informed by the things that happened to him earlier when a white coach, in South Carolina, was appointed over him. Finally, he admits and accepts the head coach position by the optimism he sees the black people have in him. They view him as a symbol of respect and pride that is missing in their society (Howard, 2001).
The movie begins with a riot after a White owner of a store murders a black teenager. That incident underscored the racial tensions that exist due to the desegregation of the high school. Coach Boone has a duty that he must deliver; overcoming the racism that exists in the team, community, and coaching staff. That will assist him in building a racially mixed football team.
Analysis
A number of philosophical issues arise in the story. That issues border aspects of racism and leadership. The philosophical problems include; overcoming racism, friendship, team bonding, and overcoming adversity. In the film, a highlighted instance of the issues involves; conflicting styles of leadership between Herman Boone and Bill Yoast, racial prejudice in the south at the start of the 1970S, and a divided squad resulting from White and Blacks being forced to play together. Other scenarios include; Coach Boone suspicion that Bill Yoast might be trying to sabotage his efforts, sacrifices for the sake of winning and lays aside his pride to accept assistance from the white assistant coach (Howard, 2001). The issues are inclined to two categories; racism and the ways through which leaders can work with racism. Racial segregation is overcome by the efforts and an open mind evaluation of the few who gets the privilege to lead the team and society. As the movie continues to progress, it is censoriously realized that racism is premised on the uncertainty of the unknown. The film also informs how a common goal and a minute trust can bring individuals together who have apparent differences (Howard, 2001).
The main characters in the film include Herman Boone, Bill Yoast, Sheryl, Gerry Bertier and Julius Campbell among other characters. Herman Boone is a black national who has adequate experience fighting for civil rights. He is the head coach of the football team. Also, he is tough and fair and treats his players equally without any form of discrimination. Bill Yoast happens to be a white individual that commands respect both as a coach and as a community member. Yoast portrays so much care for his players to the extent of remaining an assistant coach when Boone is surprisingly given head coach position instead of him. Sheryl is the narrator of the story and uses flashback to tell the story. Sheryl recounts significant occurrences, and also, she is a football fanatic and occasionally advises his father. Bertier is portrayed as a robust athlete and shows great dedication to both the sport and team.
The film examines many of the individuals that are involved in the actual life story of the Titans in TC Williams High School. It gives the viewpoints of the coaches as worked in unison to spring forth a winning team. Further, it portrays the perspective of the athletes who struggle to come to terms with their various differences (Cranmer & Harris, 2015). Lastly, the view of the school community members who witnessed the school becomes successful in the field. The movie emphasizes on the issue of race and the change in the learners perspective from that of fear to one of understanding. Of keen interest is that of the linkage between Gerry Bertier and Julius Campbell (Howard, 2001).
Acceptance of the position of the film would be of great importance to the subject at hand. The issue at hand is racial discrimination and alienation in United States learning institutions. The film, through its characters, brings us to speed on the importance of aspects of friendship, leadership and fighting racism.
The film is critical in providing solutions to the problems. As the film progressed, the animosity between the two sides of the divide continually transformed to that friendship and trust. That was key in assisting them to become better football players. The beliefs and values that were initially held by a number of the characters gradually changed in the course of the film due to the efforts of Coach Yoast and Coach Boone (Cranmer & Harris, 2015). It is apparent that the trust in racial equality and ardent love for soccer helped a team, and by extension a town, to begin to understand the aspect of race in the American Schools. Way forward, Americans recognized the importance of staying together in unity.
There are several important ideas about human nature that exist in the story. That includes the ability to lead and be led. Other plans include those of embracing one another and living together as a family (Cranmer & Harris, 2015). Conflict and conflict resolution is also an important idea that dominated the film.
The moral values being reinforced in the film is that of love and unity. The movie, Remember the Titans , all function in unison to convey the same message; we are human beings, and there is a pressing point that can make us not get along and work on something great together (Cranmer & Harris, 2015). The story apparently outlines the manner in which people should treat other specifically as a family.
A majority of the characters present a sense of moral growth. Most of them show a maturity of character that can go past racism. Coach Yoast and Coach Boone offer leadership during a sensitive time in history when racism was prevalent and extended to learning institutions. They come together, and develop an excellent friendship; and in turn, make them achieve success in the football game.
Philosophy and Remember the Titans
As aforementioned, Remember the Titans is basically a parable premised on racial harmony and yoked to the equation of a sports film. Booker T. Washington reformer, educator and one of the most influential black leaders advocated for the philosophy of racial solidarity, accommodation and self-help (McMillan, 2017). He urged people to continually work on making themselves better predominantly through education and in developing the virtues of patience and thrift and enterprise. He believed that the Negro race, just like any other race, will only be saved by exceptional men.
The film centers in a school setup and that in itself the aspect of education in bringing change in our society. No meaningful transformation could ever be achieved minus meaningful learning. Education of the complete mind and soul is critical in fighting some of the societal differences that we go through (McMillan, 2017). The film equally touches on the aspect of unity that the philosopher, Mr. Washington, tries to coil into action. He calls the Negroes to come together and fight the racial segregation issues that they are experiencing in the society. He focuses on first educating the talented tenth who could bring transformation into the land (Howard, 2001).
In conclusion, it can censoriously be summarized that the struggle against racism is a continuous process. It requires complete education of body, mind and soul. One just not be judged based on the colour of their skin, they need to be judged with reference to the content of their character. Integration of schools was a keynote idea for the Americans, and it assisted to a great deal in the fight against racial discrimination and in developing an all-inclusive society. Inclusive leadership is instrumental in creating harmony in a place where there are significant racial disparities.
References
Howard, G. A. (2001). Remember the Titans . Buena Vista Home Entertainment.
Cranmer, G. A., & Harris, T. M. (2015). “White-side, strong-side”: A critical examination of race and leadership in Remember the Titans. Howard Journal of Communications , 26 (2), 153-171.
McMillan, J. M. (2017). Film Analysis: Remember the Titans. Angelo State University Social Sciences Research Journal , 4 (2).
