There has been much discussion the last couple of weeks about a George Lucas film about the Tuskegee Airmen called Red Tails. I was intrigued to learn, wile watching an Oprah special, that the film was difficult to market because it was "black history" with an all black cast. Sometimes I marvel at how out of touch I really am. Apparently, there is no market over seas for movies that are other-than-white demographically specific. Reading the reviews since the release there is criticism regarding the message itself but that isn't the point. The broad discussion is that if this film does not succeed, there will continue to be the reality that people are only interested in seeing stories about the white experience. Heavy responsibility for a film. But what caught my attention was the campaign to promote the film. Kevin Ross, a former California Superior Court Judge, heard about it and used his facebook page to promote the film. Not to black friends, but to all friends. In his interview about the influence of his post, he states "Instead of talking about what you are against, let’s start talking about
what we are for and using our dollars to make that statement." Profound. And so much easier to stay in the spirit of Gratitude when we focus on what we are for.
So what am I for? I know that I am for opportunity, why is why Heifer International is one of my favorite charities to support. Providing opportunity through education is how I live my life. I am for supporting the ground roots, make a difference in a small way (and hopefully encouraging a "tipping point") which is why on Wear Red for Heart Disease Friday I share the Mighty Oakes Heart Foundation at a presentation. Because I know that a family living the reality can make decisions about what other families need in a way that is often lost by a larger organization or institution. I am for love, in whatever form it comes. I am for hope. So today I am grateful that a film about a moment in black history, that I consider AMERICAN history, has provided a focus for my new year. What are you for? And how will you use your dollars to make that statement? Inspire on.
