The Liberation of LB Jones: a Movie Review

 

It's been over 50 years since the Civil Rights Movement of the late 1960s. Race relations have improved significantly as has the ability of non-whites to improve their social condition. To be sure, institutionalized racism remains stubbornly embedded in some instances but it takes a film like “The Liberation of LB Jones” to remind us how bad things were, especially in the American deep south.

The 1969 film delves into the racial dynamics of a small town in Tennessee. In the process, the movie sheds light on the deep-seated prejudices and tensions that permeate the community. Through the main character LB Jones, an African American man, much is revealed about the social condition of African Americans. That the film is inspired by real events is not surprising.

The film exposes the intricacies of systemic racism and social norms of the time. The film skillfully weaves together individual stories which provide diverse perspectives on race relations. The dominant themes of discrimination and social justicerun through the plot. They remind us of not only of what has been achieved in the last five decades but also what remains to be done.

"The Liberation of LB Jones" is an insightful film. The movie is as complex as the viewer wishes it to be for at its core the film is simply about human dignity and social justice.

PS – At the time of writing the entire movie is available for viewing on YouTube.

I am a Singapore based Tour Guide with a special interest in arts and history. I have lived and worked in several countries during my career as an international banker. I enjoy traveling, especially by train, as a way to feed my curiosity about the world and nurture my interest in photography. I am available on twitter (@grandmoofti); Instagram(@imranahmedsg) and can be contacted at imran.ahmed.sg@gmail.com.