Thumbs up for “The Help”

We saw “The Help” yesterday. Critics who’ve complained of a whitewash or a softening of the real brutality of racism in American history are off-base, I think. It’s an important film, as well as an entertaining one, and it was just about the only reality-based title to be seen on the marquee at “Hollywood 27.”

Despite misguided critical complaints, even from Ebert, there was no Hollywood ending. Ross Barnett and his ilk remained in charge in Jackson and throughout the south, racism would continue to rule in 1965 and beyond. It’s with us still, and accounts for more of our present political miasma than most want to admit.

But for those of us who remember living through those years, with or without a “real Mama” of a different complexion, there’s something remarkable about this story. Sitting with a multiracial audience in Nashville, Tennessee in 2011 in solidarity against the stupidity of Jim Crow, all cheering together for those strong women of color who helped raise generations of white America and retained their dignity through every humiliation, I couldn’t help feeling that we’ll get to the promised land.

Kathryn Stockett told the Times, “I appreciate anything that points out how absurd Americans can be.” Me too. But I also appreciate anything that points out how good they can be, eventually. I’m going to read the book.

Tags: racism, The Help