Favorite Movie Monologues
Sure. I'd like to hear other POVs about why it happens
I know in some depictions there might be some sense that there is the "white savior" thing but here I don't think it is the case. If there was to be no moment to wrap up this little story arc, then the bathroom conflict should not have been brought up in the first place. So we have a question we need to answer:
Was the bathroom story important to the overall story? Did that arc add to or detract from what the movie was trying to say?
I have been studying writing for a long time and I find in many stories I watch or try to write that I will often add things that in editing should be taken out because they do not add to/support the story. Does the incident in question provide context and if it is a conflict (as this certainly was) how is it resolved? Is it as simple as showing a janitor taking down the sign or did something bigger need to be shown? Do we expect the reader/viewer to fill in the gaps? The janitor is taking down the sign so someone must have said something to someone about taking the sign down, right? Would that discussion about taking the sign down have been important to the story? Was the bathroom being half a mile away important to the story?
It is obvious that a lot of artistic license is at play here and the writers chose to go with something a bit more dramatic.
But, and maybe because I don't fully understand the history and underlying emotions, I see no "white savior" here. I see a man who thinks of the entity (NASA) being one entity with one purpose and so to him, everyone is equal. We are all just trying to achieve one goal and any/every obstacle to that must be removed, be it bathroom privileges or an understanding of orbital dynamics.
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As I reread this before clicking the 'post reply' button I also realize that my mention of a janitor here might have consequences too. When I think janitor, I think of an old Cajun man who was the janitor at my school. I don't think of him in terms of color, I think of him as the very quiet and kind man he was (he just passed away, God rest his soul). But in my scenario, I would also have to ask if the color of the janitor's skin makes a difference?
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Of course, this brings up another set of questions for me because I remember when, in fifth grade, I was put on a bus to another school and didn't fully understand all that surrounded that either. It was my introduction to racism and what I witnessed at the time was confusing and scary - but that is for another thread. I do understand that the issue in question is quite complex but I think it is time we start clarifying things so healing can take place.