REMEMBER THE TITANS

 

FOUR STARS - Uplifting

 

 

       The primary consequence in the sin of racial prejudice is its dehumanizing of fellow human beings.  Rather than recognizing the value of every human being as created in the image of God, racial prejudice reduces persons of a different race into creatures so different from ourselves that they are not worthy of honor or respect, let alone love and concern.

       This dehumanizing of others is inherent within all immorality and social dysfunctions.  Convincing ourselves that the unborn, or terminal, or criminal are not really people, we permit ourselves to do inhuman things to them with emotional and social immunity.

       But, if every human being deserves to be treated as we would want to be treated, then not only must our behavior change, but our thoughts and hearts as well.

       In a case study of such a change, Director Boaz Yakin dramatizes the true story of an Alexandria, Va high school in which forced integration has just begun.  In a cynical move to prove it won’t work, the mostly white school board hires a black football coach to replace an extremely popular and effective white coach named Yoast (Will Patton).

       The black coach, Coach Boone (Denzel Washington), is a militaristic type of leader who uses his abrasive style to force the white and black students to begin to get to know one another.

       Taking the students away to a week long training camp at a university, Coach Boone works to meld them into a cohesive team.  But when the students won’t sit together in the dining hall, Boone uses his power as a coach to force the players to get to know one another.

       If the story had not been a true one, the film would most probably be denounced as naive and idealistic.  Yet what happened in that team is a case study of the importance of bringing about the interaction of races if there is ever to be racial unity within the world. 

       Forcing the players to have three practices a day until they all know everyone of the opposite race, Boone begins to break down their prejudices by helping the young men get to know one another as individual human beings and not just one of “them.”

       As the city struggles with forced busing and the school is engaged in hateful confrontation, the players of the team stand out in stark contrast to their community’s intolerance as they return from the camp united and committed to one another.

       A major reason for this success is Coach Yost, the white coach Boone replaced as head coach, who humbles himself to become the assistant coach so that the white players would continue on the team.

       Coach Yoast is a Christian leader in his church whose love for his players and his acceptance of others is a dramatic force for healing and reconciliation on the team and in the town.

       Though he was ostracized by his racist colleagues, Yoast stood up to a scheme by the white establishment to use the officials to keep Boone’s team from winning the state championship.  In so doing, it costs Yoast his nomination for the Hall Of Fame, a sacrifice that he and his daughter deeply experienced.

       When the humble strength of Coach Yoast was combined with the aggressive determination of Coach Boone, the result was impressive.  Perhaps this is a model for the many racial struggles that still exist today.  Humble love and determined interaction which recognizes the sacred humanity of every person is a solution that can defeat the evil of racism on and off the field.

 

(words: 593)

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