nemokc's Blog

I watch a documentary tonight on MSNBC called MEETING DAVID WILSON.   It's also available on DVD.    Three years in the making, this was to be released for the 40th anniversary of Dr. King's death.

It tells the story of David A. Wilson, a 28 year old African-American filmmaker who grew up in a Newark ghetto.   He ran a geneology search of his family & discovered that he was only three generations removed from slavery.   His documentary is about his meeting with David B. Wilson, a 63 year old  white restaurant owner who grew up in the segregated south and was a descendant of the family that owned David A. Wilson's family.

This is not a documentary that tries to solve all racial issues, but it is the story of a personal journey and the meeting of two very incredible human beings.   It is an excellent look at a great many issues that face all Americans in the discussion of race.  It is an  example of the old saying about "walking a mile in another man's moccasins".

It doesn't always give answers that you would expect.   The ninety year old family friend who tells the young filmmaker "no one owes you anything for the past", the white restaurant owner who had the bravery to face not only the descendant of a slave owned by his ancestors....but was willing to let camera crews follow along.   The white friend & documentary director who offers his views & questions along the way.    All of these characters express an appreciation for how far race relations have come and bear witness to where we need to go.

Dr. King spoke of a time when the grandchildren of slaves sat down to eat with the grandchildren of slave owners.    I can't help but think that this would make him smile with hope.