Beyond the performances, the imagery in the movie is striking. The film seamlessly weaves together the grandeur of the White House with the turbulent reality of the civil rights movement, using powerful visuals to contrast these two worlds. The moments of historical reenactment—from the Woolworth’s lunch counter protests to the Freedom Riders—are intense and moving. Director Lee Daniels does an incredible job of balancing intimate family struggles with the broader societal upheavals of the time.
After watching, I was intrigued to learn more about the real-life inspiration behind the story, Eugene Allen. It turns out the film takes significant liberties with his life, particularly in its portrayal of his family and personal struggles. However, I understand why such changes were made. The filmmakers were not simply telling one man’s story; they were using his experience as a lens to explore the broader themes of race, identity, and social change in America. Sometimes, historical fiction needs to bend details in order to illuminate the deeper truths of a complex history.
One scene that particularly struck me was when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speaks to Louis Gaines, Cecil’s son, about the role of Black service workers. In the film, King explains that the butler’s role is not subservience but rather a subtle form of resistance. By serving with dignity and excellence, Black workers shattered racial stereotypes and helped advance the cause of equality in their own way. While this specific speech is not an actual King quote, it closely reflects his philosophy. King believed that dignity could be found in all work, and that excellence in service was a means of breaking down racial barriers and proving the worth of all people.
Dr. King often spoke about the dignity of labor, encouraging people to do their work with excellence. One of his most famous quotes states:
"If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, like Shakespeare wrote poetry, like Beethoven composed music. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, ‘Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.’"
Another powerful statement from King reinforces this idea:
"All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence."
This principle is a lesson for all of us, no matter our profession or station in life. It reminds me of the biblical encouragement in Ecclesiastes 9:10: "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might." As believers, we are called to do everything to the glory of God, whether we are leading a nation, working in a kitchen, or serving in any capacity. True greatness is found in faithfulness, humility, and excellence in whatever task we undertake.
Watching The Butler was not just an emotional journey through history, but a reminder of the power of steadfast, honorable work. The film, despite its dramatic liberties, reinforces a timeless truth: integrity and dedication in our daily tasks can have a profound impact on the world around us. And that is a message worth holding onto.
We all can find situations where we are excluded, ignored, doubted, and laughed at. Use that as fuel for success!
Here are some songs that capture these feelings and concepts:
Excluded, Unheard, and Devalued
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