Letters to the Editor - The Millerton News - 6-11-20

The Moviehouse stands with the Black community

Cinema has always reflected who we are. If you watch and listen it has a profound ability to affect us by offering a way to experience the world, if only just for a few moments, through a different lens.

We stand with the Black community, in the fight against systemic racism and injustice. The first step we can all take is to educate ourselves about what racism really is. Cinema can help us do that.

Below is a list of recommended films that can be found online (many of which we have presented at The Moviehouse in recent years). They provide a good starting point from which to learn more about the Black experience.

It is not enough to not be racist, it is the responsibility of all of us to be actively Anti-racist in our thoughts, words and actions.

In “Becoming” — the recent documentary film recently released by NETFLIX — former First Lady Michelle Obama discusses her life, hopes and connections with others as she travels throughout the country on a lecture tour for her book.

She says, “If we can open up a little bit more to each other and share our stories, that’s what breaks down barriers.”

Let’s begin. The time is now.

Recommended films

“I Am Not Your Negro,” 2017, Directed by Raoul Peck

“If Beale Street Could Talk,” 2018, Directed by Barry Jenkins

“13th,” 2016, Directed by Ava Duvernay

“Clemency,” 2019, Directed by Chinonye Chukwu

“Crime + Punishment,” 2018, Directed by Stephen T. Maing

“Dear White People,” 2014, Directed by Justin Simeon

“Do The Right Thing,” 1989, Directed by Spike Lee

“Get Out,” 2017, Directed by Jordan Peele

“Hidden Figures,” 2016, Directed by Theodore Melfi

“What You Gonna Do When The World’s On Fire?” 2018, Directed by Roberto Minervini

“Mudbound,” 2017, Directed by Dee Rees

“Becoming,” 2020, Directed by Nadia Hallgren

Carol Sadlon

Owner and co-founder, The Moviehouse, Millerton

Salisbury, Conn.

We are all human beings

This week has been a very upsetting week in our country. Protesters have marched for several reasons dealing with racial and human indecencies.

Everyone one is entitled to their opinion but when one disagrees with another and it turns violent and destructive it benefits no one.

The issues of race and color are always at the forefront when it’s police against community. This week I saw numerous signs that stated “Black Lives Matter” when in fact ALL LIVES MATTER! Leave the color aspect out of the statement. Stop saying white, black or any other color. We are all human beings and are given the rights to express our opinions and exercise our rights by the Constitution of the United States. Our Veterans have fought to keep us free. Our branches of military today are keeping us free and our rights intact. Your right to freedom of speech also gives me a right to bear arms.

My point is that we are all HUMAN BEINGS and are all prone to making mistakes. Matters of color should be left to children drawing pictures and not on any political, racial or public forum.

The police are just human too. While the murder George Floyd is not acceptable in any shape or form, there are a lot more of the police force that are great officers and great people who are also trying to walk the thin line that politicians and the public have put before them. We were brought up to respect anyone who was in uniform. You didn’t disrespect a police officer, fireman or anyone in authority. There are more police that do their jobs well than there are bad officers.

When you look at a police officer, don’t look at the color of their skin and jump to a conclusion of who they are. Look at the uniform, give them respect and listen to them. The fight should be in the courtroom and not on the street.

Ron Murphy 

Millerton