The Great Debaters - Movie Review Example

Washington’s The Great Debaters highlights with the Wiley Debate Team facing the Harvard Debate Team, with the former winning the debate, although racial slur continues to haunt them back home despite their victory. Their coach, Melvin B. Tolson, symbolizes the need for action beyond education, with him balancing the complexions being a college professor and a tenant farmer organizer at the same time. Meanwhile, James Farmer represents the unique struggle of black adolescents in the 30’s, balancing the act between puppy love and ambition with a growing outrage against racial discrimination.

Samantha Booke also displays the unique struggle of black women, carrying the double burden of gender and racial discrimination. Hamilton Burgess also shows the contradictions of the struggle, with his family not approving the growing radicalism of Tolson.