DuVernay was the first African-American woman to be awarded the directing prize at the Sundance film festival, for Middle of Nowhere. She is currently shooting Selma, a film about Martin Luther King.
I'm a part of a generation of African-Americans that does not have the raw memory of Jim Crow. Our knowledge is learned and studied. While deeply felt, it is different than the first-hand, personal experiences of our elders. Still, the lessons and legacy of the movement are ones that I hold dear.
Dr King was a man. We often think of him as larger than life, but he was a man. An extraordinary man, leading an epic American movement. A man who was called upon to marshal opposing perspectives into clear strategy, to guide tactics for multiple large-scale public demonstrations, to inspire and motivate through his oratory and to be a good father, husband, son and friend. When I think of him, I try to look beyond the monuments and parades to see one man who worked hard to offer something valuable to this world – and succeeded.
I think as a society we'd be wise to look more closely at the lessons of history and of heroes such as Dr King.
