Amazing Grace: The Amazing Movie
February 27th, 2007Rev. Wayne Perrymam February 26, 2007
· A movie that highlights the significant role that dedicated Whites played to bring an end to slavery
· A movie that provides the most accurate picture of the efforts to expose the horrors of slavery
· A movie that reveals the powerful role that political parties played in maintaining the institution of slavery
When I was asked to attend the premiere showing of Amazing Grace, I must say that as a black man, I accepted the invitation with a tremendous amount of reservation. Over the years I have seen it all, and was not ready to see another repeat of a movie where blacks were bowing their head and saying “yes sir boss” to white folks while working in cotton fields from sun up to sun down. To my amazement, Amazing Grace, a movie about the efforts to end slavery, had none of the above.
For the first time there is a movie about slavery that satisfied all audiences.
Whites audiences who no longer wanted to see their race portrayed as insensitive racist or vicious villains were satisfied
Blacks audiences who wanted the world to acknowledge the horrors of slavery and the profits made from such were satisfied
And the general population who often wondered about the role politicians played in the preservation of the institution of slavery were also satisfied
The movie takes place in England during the 18th & 19th century and features the efforts of William Wilberforce, a rich white young man (in his late teens and early twenties) who felt that he was called by God to put an end to slavery. Ironically, like myself (in my reparations case against the Democratic Party), Wilberforce decided not to go after the rich who made their profits from slavery, but after the political parties that supported institution of slavery by passing legislation to protect it and keep it alive.
For years, I (like many of my other black brothers and sisters) blamed the entire white race for slavery and racism without ever acknowledging the hundreds of thousands of whites who worked behind the scene and the multitude of others who publicly gave their lives to put an end to slavery and rid our society of racism. From Thaddeus Stevens to Charles Sumner and from Hannah Gibbons to the white Freedom Riders of the 60’s, the Wilberforces of our society have received little recognition for their heroic efforts to bring about equality.
This year the Parliament of England will honor William Wilberforce for changing their nation for the better. As a nation, they have recognized that slavery and racism was politically driven as it was in America. Unfortunately, in America we still indict the entire white race rather than the political party that kept slavery and racism alive and well.
Many thought young Wilberforce was a fanatic or a mad man to challenge the political powers of his day. I know that many may feel the same about me and my lawsuit against the powerful Democratic Party. I sincerely believe, were he alive today, Wilberforce would agree with the following statement that was included in my brief to the United States Supreme Court:
“Racism in America was politically driven. Without the political backing of those who made up and formed the powerful Democratic Party, a Party that gave their lives and spent billions to preserve the institution of slavery and the system of Jim Crow, slavery would have ended 100 years earlier and Jim Crow would have died in the womb of those who conceived it. Contrary to public opinion, racism was not something that the entire white race engaged in. Racism was the political agenda of a political party - made up of individuals who chose to use this deadly disease to cover their own insecurities - in their relentless quest for wealth and power.”
My lawsuit against the Democratic Party is not to say that modern-day Democrats are racist. Most Democrats are totally unaware of their party’s racist past. My goal is to bring closure to the issue of racism in America by having the group that is responsible for slavery, Jim Crow, the Dred Scott decision, Fugitive Slave Laws, the Ku Klux Klan, White Supremacy, landmark decisions to maintain segregation and for opposing every piece of legislation that was designed to establish equality, to take responsibility for their actions and apologize.
If you would like to be a Wilberforce and assist me in bringing to an end the blame game of racism, you may contribute to my legal fund to cover research, legal costs and other related expenses or write a letter to the United States Supreme Court. See the attached sample.
Justices of Supreme Court
Office of the Clerk
Supreme Court of the United States
Washington D.C. 20543-0001
In re; Wayne Perryman & African American Citizens of the United States v. Democratic National Committee
Case No. 06-1107
Dear Justices of the United States Supreme Court (or direct it to a specific Justice);
I am a resident of (city___________, (state)________________ and I am well aware of the class action case filed by Rev. Wayne Perryman on behalf of himself and the African American Citizens of the United States.
This case is not about partisan politics or an effort to inflict harm on the Democratic Party. It is about addressing a wrong that is long overdue. This case is not only important to African Americans, it is important to our entire country. I like many others from across the country, fully support this case and ask that you give this historic landmark case your most earnest consideration.
Sincerely,
(Your Name & Address)