The movie Marshall was based on a story of true events from Thurgood Marshalls young career as a lawyer. Marshall retails the story of an sexual assault case in the year of 1940 The State of Connecticut vs. Joseph Spell. The case about an African- American chauffer that was accused of raping Eleanor Strubing a wealthy white woman that was his boss. Thurgood was tasked to represent Joseph Spell and prove his innocence. Additionally, during the trial he was faced with obstacles that were created to hinder him to make the trial impossible for him to win.
In the movie there was one scene in the movie that showed injustices among both black and white communities. The scene that I want to talk about was when Thurgood Marshall first appeared to court and presented his application to to represent his client in the trial the judge denied his application and said that he could not speak at all during the trial. As a result, he made Sam Friedman an civil attorney be the clients legal defense. However, he was allowed to be present in the court room. This was an injustice because Friedman was lacked the experience to represent the client in this case, but Thurgood had the credentials for the legal representation. The judge denied the Thurgood Marshall for legal representation because of his race and the color of his skin. Additionally, this is an example of how even-though how white people used their power oppress black people regardless of the credentials they have obtained. They ended up wining the case and proving his innocents, but the issue was that since Friedman didn’t have the credentials for this case the judge believed that he could have advantage of making the trial unfair to prove the innocence of Joseph Spell.
I believe the movie was mad for us to see how big segregation and racism played a interictal part in court room trials. Additionally, it showed how African-Americans were viewed and still are viewed among the community today. Marshall was an inspirational movie that displayed how change can made among our community with wisdom and perseverance. It also displayed how one sided the judicial system can be when not challenged or judged fairly.
It’s so evident, especially from your post that there are racial injustices throughout this movie. Seeing such acts, especially and even in such a professional environment, or I suppose is supposed to be professional, is astounding. Change needs to be made still today and movies like these that show what the normal person doesn’t see will help to do this.