The documentary takes a look at the history, and current activism against voter suppression; barriers to voting that most people don’t even know is a threat to their basic rights as citizens of the United States.
Grassroots Democrat Stacey Abrams’ foray into politics was by no means a coincidence, but a deliberate action in order to change her own destiny. Two years ago in 2018, she made national headlines in her bid against Republican Secretary of State, Brian Kemp, for the position of Governor for the state of Georgia. This film lends itself to the revelation of her campaign by shedding light on the tremendous effort she put forth straight through election day on November 6th, 2018, with her “Concession” speech and immediately, onto the long road afterward, as she valiantly sought to change the demographic of voter suppression itself. The election itself exposed the many frailties of a leader who in spite of his own knowledge of statewide issues with voting machines up to and through election day, had no problem accepting the victory associated with scrupulous findings and according to the Elected Integrity Project, our country’s elections were ranked last amongst western democracies. Stacey’s 2017 Campaign Chair, Allegra Lawrence-Handy, and 2017-2018 Campaign Manager, Lauren Groh-Wargo were both outspoken in their resilience and tenacity to point out the egregious lack of civic duty by Georgia’s highest level of politicians to give Georgia’s own citizens what they rightfully deserved within the threshold of lost votes.
The film takes a long look at the fight for democracy and has several prominent, politically-entrenched persons who willingly give their take on how the act of voter suppression has long been at the core of the popular vote. Luci Baines Johnson, Justice of the Court, William Rehnquist, Former President Barack Obama, former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young, Oprah, and the late John Lewis, all are featured with interesting bits and conversations with regard to how history has repeatedly been the backdrop for socially eliminating the power of voting through superfluous law or through amendments that were reconstructed in order to weed out or eliminate the black vote.
In addition to the historic implications (In 1789, only 6% of all Americans were eligible to vote, only white male property owners) and monumental changes that have impacted African-Americans and their constitutional right to vote, many social and philosophical strategies were put in place to dilute the power of the black vote. While this film personally delves into Stacey Abram’s background, it shows a parallel in her thought process for wanting to align the social impact with the beliefs of her parents and forefathers, whose accountability for social responsibility was key in her upbringing.
While Stacey Abrams’ attempt to be the first female African-American governor of Georgia was overridden, it goes without saying that her campaign was highly successful in reopening the dialogue which effects change for future generations. Carol Anderson, noted Historian and author of “One Person, No Vote,” states that You cannot understand where we are right now unless you understand the history of voting.” This film definitely gives the lay of the land in terms of the history of voting and the subservient mentality that keeps all votes from being equal. Amazon Studios did a great job in recreating the pipeline to power by examining the Declaration of Independence and Amendments 13, 14, and 15 in order to further help us understand and expose the inequities which have been and continue to be elements of suppression. With the current unleveled playing field that still exists in politics, this mind-blowing history lesson is one that we all should be appreciative of.
Now playing in Select Theaters and on Amazon Prime Video September 18th
3.4k
20k
1.5k
1.3k