JOHN F. KENNEDY: We are confronted primarily with a moral issue.
It is as old as the Scriptures
and is as clear as the American Constitution.
The heart of the question is
whether all Americans are to be afforded
equal rights and equal opportunities,
whether we are going to treat our fellow Americans
as we want to be treated.
If an American, because his skin is dark,
cannot eat lunch in a restaurant open to the public,
if he cannot send his children
to the best public school available,
if he cannot vote for the public officials who represent him,
if, in short, he cannot enjoy the full and free life which all of us want,
then who among us would be content
to have the color of his skin changed and stand in his place?
Who among us would then be content
with the counsels of patience and delay?
MAN: Yes. Yes, Mrs. Stevenson, I understand.
Well, no, ma'am, I haven't seen today's paper.
Mrs. Stevenson, I assure you, you have nothing to be
-concerned about. -Sir?
-No, I assure you... -Sir.
Excuse me, Mrs. Stevenson.
Mrs. Stevenson, I... I'll have to call you back.
Well, I guess that's it.
-GIRL 2: Wow!
-Oh, look at this lighthouse. -Wow!
-So neat. -Yeah.
-I'm gonna get one, too. -Yeah.
GIRL 1: Hello. GIRL 2: Hi.
Hello, girls.
Oh, good. Sinatra.
What do you think about these, Rosie?
Rosalee, look at these.
-What do you think about them? -They're nice.
Uh-uh, that ain't gonna work.
I mean, I'm trying to be homecoming queen.
I need something spectacular.
You know, something that's gonna make me shine.
-I heard your father enlisted. -GIRL: He did.
Okay. What about these ones?
What's wrong?
Do you ever feel like you deserve more?
Like what?
We pay just as much money as they do.
-All right. Thank you so much. -Thank you.
-...for me. -I will.
That's just the way things are. So?
-I like those. -Me, too.
Hey, baby.
-Hey. -I've got some good news.
Early votes for homecoming king and queen.
Oh!
Rosalee, me and Arlo is in the lead!
Another week, and we got it made in the shade.
Speaking of which...
these... These will look good on you.
Mmm, I don't know.
Uh, me and Rosie already picked out these.
-Aren't they cute? -Darling.
You want to win homecoming queen?
You let me do the thinking.
You just keep on looking good, okay?
What are you all doing here anyway?
Y'all still practicing that pretend radio show?
Lady-D practices after school every day.
Well, you're not Lady-D.
You're just gonna end up in the butcher shop, like your dad.
Arlo, don't.
-Mmm-mmm. -I mean, I'm being honest.
Am I lying?
Don't say that.
Excuse me, sir.
I'd like to buy this.
What is it?
$4.50.
Put it on the counter.
Things have been peaceful around here.
Last thing we need is somebody stirring the pot.
ROSALEE: It ain't right.
BRIANNA: Yeah, it is.
ROSALEE: Let's ask the people.
Today on Get Real with Rosie, let's talk about fairness.
Is it fair that colored people have to use the back entrance
and sit at the back of the movie theater,
even though we spend just as much money as the white folks?
I want to hear from you.
Ring, ring, ring.
Caller number one, you're on with Rosie.
I don't see a problem.
I mean, they don't wanna be around us,
and we don't wanna be around them, either.
So you're saying segregation is a good thing?
Mmm-hmm.
I mean, we got ours and they got theirs.
So why do we need to be together?
Mmm, we can't be equal If we're separated.
Why not?
Let's say you had two of the same book.
This one's in good condition, this one, not so much.
Now, this one goes to the white school,
and this one go to the black one.
Is that fair?
-No. -Both schools get the same book.
Yeah, but this one's missing pages.
Doesn't matter.
Both schools getting the same book,
so it's considered an equal education.
Just because you have two of the same things,
that doesn't make the things equal.
That's right.
We got to be the change that we wish to see in the world.
-You going to tidy up for me, Rosie? -I got you.
Hey, what time is it?
BOTH: Lady-D!
LADY-D: And that was the latest from Smokey Robinson and the Miracles.
a hold on me
I love that song.
As you may know, I'm Lady-D, bringing you the sound to boogie on down.
Now, pigs must be flyin', 'cause St. Julian's High School is accepting colored children.
I'll clue you in on that later.
But for now, let's listen to...
Little Eva and the Turkey Trot.
Okay, it's my turn.
You know that's gonna be you one day, Rosie.
Hey, y'all.
if the diva herself, Foxianna,
and today we're gonna discuss open-toed sandals.
Is it a friend or is it a foe?
You want to comment, Rosie?
I wanna go to St. Julian's.
-Are you out of your mind?
-No. I just feel like it's the right thing to do. -
Well, it ain't.
St. Julian's is whites only.
You heard Lady-D.
They're integrated now.
That don't make it safe.
You're gonna still be the only colored girl there.
So?
I'm so tired of being lowered down and mistreated because I'm black.
If we're all the same, why aren't we treated the same?
Okay. I get what you're saying, Rosie.
But why can't you do that at Mitchell's High?
Why you got to go all the way to St. Julian's to make a change?
Plus, what am I to do without you?
I need you with me.
You can come, too.
They probably have real equipment that we can actually practice on.
You know I wanna be homecoming queen.
But, look...
I'll be behind you every step of the way. Okay?
What your folks say?
I ain't told them yet.
Ooh. Okay.
I think you should just... You should just tell them.
I mean, what's the worst they can say?
-No! -But, Dad...
It's out of the question, Rosalee.
Otis, we can play the dozens all day or you can let her speak.
They are the number one school in the country, for both math and science.
I mean, you're always telling me and Junior
how important good education is.
You can get a good education at Mitchell's High School. Me and your mama did.
Mitchell's was the only option when we were coming up.
If going to St. Julian's can give her better opportunities, I think she should go.
What's this?
That's my history book.
I mean, how are we supposed to get a good education
when we're learning from books like that?
It's not the right time.
Will it ever be?
You... You're trying to undermine me in front of my own child.
-That is not what's going on. -
Now, May, listen. I... I have put up with a lot of stuff all these years.
I'm not going to tolerate you undermining me in front of my own kids...
One-hundred-ninety-seven, 198, 199,
-200 signed voters registration forms! - What?
This is the largest turnout this year.
You know, that's 'cause Lady-D was bringing the sounds to boogie on down.
-Oh, please. -
I'm sure you knocking on those doors
at the crack of dawn had a lot to do with it.
You think so?
They knew if they didn't show up, that you'd just keep coming back.
What I don't understand is why you kept knocking on my door.
You know, it gave me an excuse to come and see you.
Uh, there's a lot of voters registration... -All gone.
Ro...
So, uh...
I'll see you at the drive, then?
Go on and get home safe now.
Bye.
MAY: ...I'm just telling you we need to listen.
This could be a great opportunity for her.
-Whoa, what's going on? -OTIS SR.: ...talk about this school...
I just told him that I want to go to St. Julian's.
-Really? -Yes. Shh.
Really? - Yes.
-See, he's not taking it too well.
OTIS SR.: Listen! Leave me alone. I...
Can you convince him for me?
Look, I don't think I'm gonna be much help. I ain't one of his favorites...
-Junior, please. Just try. -All right. All right.
All right, I'm gonna try.
Junior, what do you think about your sister going to St. Julian's?
I think she should go.
He thinks she should go.
Of course he gonna say that.
-Did you think about her safety, Junior? -
Dad, her going to St. Julian's
don't put her in no more danger than her being black.
Do tell me about being black.
You see, I've been black before you was even thought of.
Dad, I'm sorry. I didn't mean no...
Why don't you go pass out your pamphlets
and leave us to our daughter?
Rosalee, listen. Baby, this is...
This is about more than just an education.
What if something happens to you? We won't be able to protect you!
I can take care of myself.
We know you can.
But I just need to know that you've thought this all the way through.
I have. I have.
I can do it, Dad.
I'll tell you what.
You put together a list of all the reasons
why you think you should go to St. Julian's,
and me and your mama, we'll think about it,
All right?
Thanks, Dad.
ROSALEE: I don't know what to do.
You go on and make a list now.
Now, you know no matter what I say,
it's never gonna be good enough.
That's Senior for you.
So what's the deal with you two anyways?
He shut me out ever since I got involved with civil rights.
He's been that way ever since.
You ever tried talking to him about it?
Plenty of times, but he always finds an excuse.
You should try again. Maybe he might listen.
No.
I made my peace with it.
Besides, I mean, this is all... This is is all about you.
How can you make Senior believe that you're gonna be okay?
-[LADY-D SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY OVER RADIO] -Hey, it's our girl, Lady-D.
LADY-D: ...we signed up 243 voters.
If you missed it, it's not too late to register.
Now, this next groove to make you move
-goes out to the dreamers. -
Keep dreamin', but with your eyes open.
I gotta go.
Hey, hold on. I thought you was helpin'.
I will. I will, tomorrow.
-
Oh, that's beautiful, sweetie.
But why are you shaking?
You have to relax. May I?
Now that's it.
Slow and steady. You see?
BILL: What do you think you're doing?
I was just painting.
I told you not to touch this.
-
Maybe it's not so bad.
Do you know what natural law is?
It's a principle of human conduct...
-passed down to us from the creator of the universe right to us. -
In our society, there's a fine line between chaos and order.
-Whites... -
we were never meant to live with coloreds.
If we were,
God never would have given us...
Segregation?
Exactly.
When everybody follows a divine order, things run smoothly.
But when we don't...
when someone throws a wrench in the works...
Things start to go haywire.
-They get out of control. -
Before you know it...
no more society.
Clean up this mess.
ROSALEE: Reason 10, not only was St. Julian's giving me access
to a better education, but it could also help open the doors
for future African-Americans.
What do you think?
It was just okay.
What was wrong with it?
It was dry.
-You need to loosen up. -Loose?
-I'm loose. -Yeah.
You call that loose?
Girl, you're gonna have a lot of problems if you call that loose.
You know what? I got an idea.
What are you doing?
What does it look like?
Come on.
No. I don't have time. I need to study.
What you need to do is relax.
You've been working on this for days.
Come on.
That's it.
All right.
That's right.
There you go.
Now you groovin'.
Hey, Arlo.
Everyone is meeting at Poppy's Diner.
We could get some major campaigning in.
-Okay. -All right.
Hey, Rosie.
You want to go to Poppy's?
She can't come.
Why not?
I mean, look at her.
ROSALEE: It's okay.
I gotta practice anyways.
Now, that's a real friend.
Come on, let's go.
ARLO: Brianna?
Brianna, come on.
Let's go.
I didn't mean to rattle your cage,
but you gotta stop spending so much time with her. It's not a good look.
What are you saying?
I'm saying she's a square.
People will start to think you're a square if you keep hanging with her.
-Squares don't win homecoming... -You know what?
What's wrong?
I'm so tired of you talking about her like that.
Do you not realize she's out here risking her life for us?
And you worry about stupid stuff.
So what are you saying?
What I'm saying, Arlo,
is that if I got to choose between my best friend...
and being homecoming queen...
then I choose Rosalee.
And you can get lost.
You two oddballs deserve each other.
BRIANNA: Yeah, well...
wipe the grease off the side of your forehead, jerk!
Ain't you supposed to be studying?
And ain't you supposed to be campaigning?
This is more important.
Okay, now do it again, and this time, have fun with it.
Rosie, you're on in three, two, one!
-All right, y'all, you are now tuned in to -
Get Real with Rosalee.
Coming to you with words so sweet that you would swear
it was your grandma's apple pie.
You know, word around town is...
Y'all trying to send y'all kids to the all-white St. Julian's?
Let's talk about that for a minute. Caller number one.
You're in with Rosie.
Come on, let's hear it. Speak your mind.
Hey, Rosie. Um, this is Eddie.
I just moved here from downtown Mississippi,
and I keep hearing about this old St. Julian's.
Don't sound like it's the best place for my kids to go.
What's so good about it?
Well, Mr. Eddie, your kids,
they'll be learning from books that was made in this decade.
That's for sure.
But not only that, we're talking
new classes, new desk.
I mean, it sounds like a good idea to me.
Hmm. Well, I guess I'll think about it.
-Thank you, Rosie. -Yeah, no problem. No problem.
Make sure you make the right choice.
All right, caller number two.
Hi, Rosie. My name is Patricia, but everybody calls me Patty,
and my daughter, she's a toddler.
So how are the extracurricular activities over there at St. Julian's?
You know, that's a good question, Miss Patty.
She'll be practicing in one of the best gym
with some of the best coaches in town.
All I'm saying is, with training like that...
I don't see her not going to the Olympics.
Caller number three. Let's hear it.
MAN: Do you really think now is the time to integrate?
I mean, look what just happened in Arkansas.
You know, I feel like the timing is perfect.
Think about those kids.
Those kids in Arkansas were probably so scared,
but they knew that it was time for a change.
And if you're not going to do it now, then when?
Ah! Unfortunately, we are running out of time.
But before we go,
in the words of the great Gandhi himself...
"Be the change that you wish to see in the world."
Okay?
Remember that.
Rosalee, signing off.
-And that is why I should go to St. Julian's. -
What do you think?
You've definitely put a lot of thought into this.
-It's a yes from me. -Yes!
Well, I'm still concerned about your safety...
I'll be careful.
Uh, I promise.
-All right, you can go. -
Thank you, Senior.
If I feel like you're in any danger,
I'm going to pull you out.
That's fine.
That's... That's fine.
OTIS JR.: Voters registration meeting on Tuesday night.
We need you all to come on out and let your voice be heard.
Good evening, ladies. Voters registration meeting on Tuesday night.
Y'all come on out and let your voices be heard.
Voters registration meeting on Tuesday night.
Come on out and let your voices be heard.
We got a voters registration...
Why am I not surprised?
-How long you been here? -Long enough.
What's with the signs?
You know, I'm just trying to get the word out.
-Oh. -You think it's too much?
You should come on out.
You know, we made a pretty good team last time.
I just might.
-Then it's a date. -That's not what I said...
Voters registration meeting on Tuesday night.
Y'all come on out and let your voices be heard.
-Voters registration meet, Tuesday night. -
We need you all to come on out, let your voice be heard.
Voters registration meeting on Tuesday night.
Y'all come on out and let your voices be heard.
-Be strong and courageous. -CONGREGATION: Yes.
Do not be afraid or terrified because of them.
CONGREGATION: Right. Yeah.
For the Lord, your God, is with you.
He will never leave nor forsake you.
CONGREGATION: That's right.
-Be strong and courageous. -CONGREGATION: Yes. Yes.
-You see, He didn't say it would be easy... -That's right.
...but what he did say is,
-is that he would never leave nor forsake you! -Yes. Amen.
No matter how bleak the situation may look,
-God is still in control! -Yeah! Yeah!
-So you have to be strong and courageous, -
knowing that he will never leave you or forsake you!
-March on! -Yes! Yes!
Whenever you're feeling afraid, remember, God did not give us
the spirit of fear but of power!
-Love! And of sound mind! So march on! March on! -
-We are all in this battlefield! Yes, Lord! -Yes! Amen!
CONGREGATION: Amen! Hallelujah!
You don't belong here.
MAY: Rosalie?
Rosalie?
Why do you want to go to St. Julian's?
Because I deserve a good education, like the kids who go here.
Will that be all?
Yes... you can go.
Your daughter's a baseball fan?
-Yes, she can't get enough of it. -
What's her favorite team?
-The Atlanta Crackers. - Mine, too.
Why, as a matter of fact, we're going to a game Saturday.
-
What's this?
My lucky bracelet.
Any time I wear it, the Crackers win.
And we're gonna need that win this Saturday.
Thank you.
-
-RICKY-C: What do you mean, why am I taking this so seriously? -
-This is a serious situation. -LADY-D: It is.
-But, come on... -Yeah, yeah, it is. But, anyway... Aight y'all.
So we got a good turnout from the people in this area right here.
When we get over here,
-it goes cold. -Because it's the heart.
It's the most racist area in the city.
It also has the highest concentration of the black vote.
Mmm-hmm. That's the point right there.
Whoa, whoa, whoa!
They ain't coming out.
Police got them shook.
You can't take a piss down there without getting arrested.
And that's the fear that they're counting on to keep people from voting.
We got to get to those neighborhoods.
And how you think we're going to do that, Junior?
We're just gonna walk on in there?
Man, we'd be dead before we hit the streets.
Not if they don't see us coming.
What about a night march?
We go straight in through downtown.
Have you lost your mind?
We can't ask the people to stand with us
if we're ain't willing to stand for them.
And a dead man can't stand.
-Are y'all hearing this? -I think it's a good idea.
-You would think it's a good idea. -Shut up.
Stop it!
-They need to know they're not alone. -That's right.
-Mike? -
Man, if the police get tipped off...
-we'll be committing our own suicide. -Thank you.
What about a radio announcement?
You wanna broadcast an illegal protest on the radio?
We'll use a code song, right?
And we'll spread the word out for people listening to the Lady-D Show at 9:00 p.m.
-Hmm. That may not be a bad idea. -
The best way to hide something is in plain sight.
Now you're thinking.
-What do you think, Lady-D? -I dig.
OTIS JR.: Yeah.
Ricky. Ricky, man...
it's going to be okay.
Our Father, which art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
ALL: Forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, for ever and ever,
Amen.
Hope you know what you're doing, Junior,
Thanks for coming out.
You nervous?
Oh, no.
-Yeah. -Kind of.
Ricky will come around.
He's just concerned about everyone's safety.
Right. Of course.
Lady-D?
LADY-D: Hey, hey!
Who do we have here?
This is my little sister, Rosalee.
And, like, your biggest fan.
I listen to your show every day.
-Is that so? -Yeah.
I... I wanna be a radio host, just like you.
We sure could use another sister on the airwaves.
But how can you hear with this gear?
Oh, no. Let me show you what you need.
These.
Are those original Charlie Davis headphones?
Mmm-hmm. Autographed by him, too.
-You like? -I love them.
They're yours.
-Thank you. -You're welcome.
Nice meeting you.
And I'll see you later.
You didn't tell me Lady-D was gonna be here.
And you didn't tell me you was going to be here.
Oh, yeah.
I needed some advice.
-What's going on? -
There's this boy at St. Julian's.
-He told me I ain't belong there. -
-Now, you know you're just as smart as he is. -
I know.
But what if that's not enough?
I know how you feel.
Yeah, right.
You know, I'm one of the youngest people to ever head a voters drive committee.
The older members, they don't think I'm experienced enough.
And the younger ones want me to just change things overnight.
Sometimes I feel like I could just...
roll over and quit.
How do you do it?
You got to remember what you're fighting for.
Then you can break through.
Let me show you something.
I want you to imagine that that glass is all the people who say you ain't good enough.
And these pebbles, this is you. Go on and break it.
This little thing ain't gonna break nothing.
David beat Goliath with a pebble.
Told you.
Hey!
It looked like something to me.
Go again.
-
See?
Rosie, you got everything you need to break through right here.
Let's go on and get something to eat.
Let's go.
You just gonna stand there?
Like a goddamn moron?
-You clean that up. -Yes.
Natural law.
Here it is.
-ROSALEE: Where are we? -This is my secret place.
I love to come here when I need to think,
or when I need to be alone.
So, I thought this would be good for you.
Come on.
ROSALIE: This is so beautiful.
Ain't it, though?
BRIANNA: Come on, relax.
Isn't it peaceful?
It makes you feel like you ain't got a care in the world.
BILL: Hey!
What the hell y'all coloreds doing here?
-Y'all can't read? -Uh...
Sir, I've never seen that before.
Uh, uh, uh. Sir, I never saw that sign before.
It's there now.
Ain't she one of them coloreds I saw at St. Julian's?
-
God damn! Y'all gonna pay for that!
Stay in your goddamn town!
Rosie, what happened?
-Get her some water! Get her some water. -All right. All right.
What happened? What happened?
Take a deep breath, baby. Take a deep breath.
Here, drink this, Rosie. What's... What is the problem?
Take your time. Take your time.
-Take your time. Take your time.
What happened? What happened?
Me and Brianna, we were at a park, and...
this man, he... He just really attacked us.
It's okay, baby.
-Oh, no, no, no! -It's okay, it's okay.
It's okay, baby. You're safe now. It's okay.
-It's okay. It's okay. -
Dad, what's goin' on?
A man attacked Rosalee and Brianna at the park.
-What? She okay? -Yeah, she is.
But he won't be for long. -Dad. Dad...
That ain't gonna fix anything.
Did I ask for your permission?
Dad, you do this, you gonna be a coward, just like the man at the park.
What did you call me, boy?
Get off me!
-So you wanna disrespect me in my own house? -Help me!
-Huh? You wanna... in my house, huh? -Oh, my God! Otis, stop it!
This is my house!
Stop it! Otis, stop it!
-If you ever disrespect me like that again... -Stop it! Stop it!
-...I'll kill you myself! -Stop it!
What's wrong with you?
My God!
Junior baby, you okay?
-Breathe, boy. Breathe, it's okay. It's okay. -
Just... just breathe, baby. Just breathe.
Otis Wimbush Sr., what the hell is wrong with you?
You gonna kill your own son?
Please...
-don't leave, Junior. -
I love you, Rosalee.
Hey.
Does it still hurt?
A little.
It looks worse that it is, though.
This ain't right.
But, I have a plan...
Mama don't want me hanging around you no more.
You know, just until things calm down.
I'll talk to her. I'll talk to her.
Ain't no use.
She's made up her mind.
Does she blame me for this?
No, she don't blame you.
She just...
She just worry.
Do you?
I could've died, Rosalee.
That man knew you from St. Julian's.
I'm so sorry.
You know what, I gotta go.
OTIS JR.:
PROTESTORS:
OTIS JR.:
PROTESTORS:
and put 'em down
we are freedom bound
and put 'em down
we are freedom bound
and put 'em down
we are freedom bound
and put 'em down
we are freedom bound
and put 'em down
we are freedom bound
and put 'em down
we are freedom bound
and put 'em down
we are freedom bound
and put 'em down
we are freedom bound
ROSALEE: How's heaven?
I bet it's beautiful.
I know...
Grandma and G'dad was happy to see you.
You know, Mom... Mom still...
Mom still cries a lot.
And Dad...
Yeah, well...
He's still Dad.
Please don't be mad at me.
But, I decided not to...
Not to go to Julian's.
I won't be able to do it without you.
Just come back.
Please.
-Please, Junior, just... just come back!
-Just come back. -
Junior, it's me.
It's Dad.
-Never thought I'd be talking to you like this. -
I was hard on you.
I know.
I...
I was scared.
Scared that the movement would take you from me.
And I was right.
I kept...
I kept this. -
From your first voter registration drive.
And you, uh...
You stayed up for weeks.
Researchin' and plannin'.
And the day of you,
you came to me and you said, "Papa...
"I'm gonna make you proud."
Well...
I wasn't there to keep you safe.
Wasn't there to keep you safe.
I would've kept you away from the movement.
Now, I know we...
We can never be safe.
There's gotta be some kind of change.
I miss you, son.
I miss you.
Junior...
God, I miss you, son.
-Junior...
HARVEY: Things have been peaceful around here.
Last thing we need is somebody stirring the pot.
ARLO: You're just gonna end up in the butcher shop, like your dad.
You're just gonna end up in the butcher shop, like your dad.
You don't belong here.
HARVEY: Things have been peaceful around here.
ARLO: You're just gonna end up in the butcher shop, like your dad.
RICHARD: You don't belong here.
BILL: Natural law.
MAY: Junior, see what you did?
Junior! Junior!
Come back!
ROSALEE: Please, don't leave, Junior.
OTIS JR.: Rosie...
You got everything you need to break through, right here.
Let's go on in.
One week ago, today, Otis Wimbush Jr. was killed.
He was gunned down, protectin' a protestor at the march.
You may be gone, but your legacy lives on.
If you're listenin', please take a moment of silence with me.
This one is for you, Junior.
Because of the courageous actions of a few,
in September of 1963, St. Julian's High School
was the first school in Marion City, Alabama, to be integrated.
But the change didn't come easy.
Life-altering decisions and sacrifices were made, and even lives lost.
Are you willing to be the change you wish to see?