The Birth of a Nation
After watching the video; the Birth of the Nation I learnt that it is the most debated film in America. According to the film, the Reconstruction was considered as one of the lowest point in the American history. It was as a period of misgovernment and corruption since the black people who were ignorant had suddenly been pushed into positions of political authority in which they were not capable of exercising it. The view of Reconstruction being a period of misgovernment and corruption originated long in the history which was written in the history book in the 20th century. However, today, no reputable historian believed the propaganda of opponents of reconstruction. Today, Reconstruction has brought positive light and we are more impressed with how African American struggled for them to get equality in the country. The black people in the film are portrayed as the root of all evil and had no freedom to voting rights. Additionally, male African American were described as always lusting after the white women. On the other hand, Ku Klux Klan (KKK) was described as a healing force that would restore the lawlessness and chaos of the Reconstruction. In his film, Griffith describes the slaves as being unworthy of being free and also being uncivilized.
According to Griffins film, the legacy of Reconstruction: America’s Unfinished Revolution, was well-defined to be a massive genocide rather than equality. The Birth of the Nation is a film in the history which is considered offensive. The film provides a well explained history of the Reconstruction, civil war and the rise of the (KKK). In comparison to Foner’s assessment of Reconstruction, it was to be the most important event since the African American were to fight for their rights, struggle for freedom and equality as citizens. In my perspective Eric Foner thought the Reconstruction would sweep the social and political history that would help the historians revise that crucial period. He completely destroyed the notion that no serious historians have ever attempted reviving it. Additionally, he wanted the black people to have the right to exercise the political power in the south hence get the right to share the property and wealth.
According to the Griffiths film, many African American viewed the Birth of a Nation in 1915 to bring huge profit and he decided to release it again in 1922. However, the NAACP tried to have the film banned and renewed its campaign which petitioned the Board of Censorship to revoke the Griffith’s permit to show the film. During the first amendment, some issues arose from the release of the film. The issues include weakened rights of groups, impaired political debate, and free expression in a digital age. The first amendment significantly affects us today since the U.S constitution guarantees the right to freedom of expression and press. It also guarantees right to petition the government for any redress of grievances peacefully. As a citizen, these guarantees has positively affected and empowered me to seek liberty, life enjoyment, and look for happiness. Today the Birth of the Nation is studied as a masterpiece of political propaganda which has caused riots in various cities and therefore it should not be shown in the public today. Although the film was banned, millions of people had already viewed it.