The Butler
Cecil Gaines had the opportunity to serve 8 presidents during his time at the white house. The film was adequate, but there were some great aspects, including the incorporation of his later years and the election of the first black president. After watching this film, I felt a new respect toward black Americans and specifically those who have contributed to the on going civil rights movement (African Americans are still not completely equal even today). The Butler made me realize how far we have really come. Just 50 years ago the Civil Rights movement was in full swing and Cecil was not provided the same opportunities and rights as hes provided today. As time progressed in the white house, he saw the changes taking place from an even more interesting perspective. Lastly, the election of Barack Obama must have been an epiphanic moment for not only Cecil himself, but for all African Americans familiar with the past and history of the United States. Although this film was not one of my favorite class films, it did help me realize the importance of having a black president for the first time, and the effort and emotion that came with it, even many years before his time in office.