Hollywood can be a foul beast. Apparently, they don’t like making movies with all black casts because movies like that don’t make money.
But every so often a movie comes along where making money doesn’t matter. It’s the sort of movie that tells the right story to honor those who deserve it most. I’m here to tell you Red Tails is that movie. And the Tuskegee Airmen are those heroes.
Now, if you’re a white person, the folks in Hollywood are expecting you to skip this film because the heroes are African Americans. Instead of Obi-Wan, you get a brotha named Lightning. And while there’s no Jar Jar Binks (thank God) the Caucasian types are Nazis and military racists. Your excitement is palpable.
But missing this movie is like ditching class the day you learn one of life’s great history lessons about inspiration and the true beginners of Civil Rights in America. So if you still need a little push to go see the movie, I’ve prepared a little something just for you – the 10 reasons white people should watch Red Tails.
1. The Humble Badass Factor
When it comes to cool, there’s two kinds; normal cool and real cool. Tuskegee Airmen are the latter. Their coolness isn’t weak sauce wide receiver flashy cool, it’s subtle and smooth – a perfect blend of humility, heroism and the genuine badass factor. Some people may go their entire life without meeting the elusive “real cool” person, but all you have to do is find a Tuskegee Airman. Watching Red Tails is motivation to go meet one in the wild before this kind of coolness passes from the earth.
2. Nazi Ass Whooping
Let’s be real. There are a lot of white people who deserve a good ol’ ass whooping. Watch Red Tails and witness a band of brothers put on a Nazi beat down. Zay guten tag to my P-51 Mustang!
3. The Hot Italian Babe
She’s in the movie. Multiple times. Enough said.
4. It’s a True Story
Got History? This movie does. From Nazi beat downs, to pre-mission boozing to the reality of segregation during WWII – Red Tails is the story of something that really happened. Go learn something yo.
5. Star Wars
Proof: We know it’s true George Lucas produced Stars Wars. And you liked Star Wars. Moreover, Star Wars features things that fly. And we know you like flying things. Thus, you will like Red Tails, which was produced by George Lucas and has many flying things. True, this is.
6. You Respect Good Defense
Whether you care if the Crimson Tide is rolling or not, you must hand it to coach Nick Saban and the Alabama national champs. They watched Red Tails before the national title game and then systematically destroyed LSU by a count of 21 to goose egg. How does one calculate the value of inspiration? Well, look no further than Les Miles. He showed his team the movie Contraband. Moral of the story, Red Tails will inspire you. The other movie you’re planning to watch – probably won’t.
7. Dog Fights
There be dog fights and humor in Red Tails.
8. Stick it to Hollywood
According to George Lucas, Hollywood didn’t like Red Tails because it has an all black cast. Apparently, in the movie business, this is a no-no since it’s bad for the bottom line. I find this somewhere between truly sad and absurd. So go see the film and prove to the Hollywood brass some things matter more than money.
9. You Like Smart People
Now, if you ever meet a Tuskegee Airman one thing will be obvious. They are smarter and cooler than you. This was confirmed on 9 out of 9 occasions for me, where upon meeting them – I realized in 10 seconds they were operating on a totally different level– both in terms of wits, smarts and the sort of knowledge that comes from 80-90 years of overcoming war and segregation.
10. Colorless Things
The tagline for Red Tails is “courage has no color.” But this hardly does the film justice. Why? Because the Tuskegee Airmen were so much more than courage. They were about honor, respect, humor, humility, service and glory. If you still believe these are things America holds dear, Red Tails and the Tuskegee Airmen will inspire you to your own version of greatness!
Thanks for reading yo. Now, post some phat comments and check out Red Tails. This post is dedicated to the Twilight Brigade and all you humble badasses out there, most notably:
The LA Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen
Walter Foreman
Walter receiving and holding up his Congressional Gold Medal. He passed away the following day and said receiving this medal “made me feel like it mattered.” [Video]
Claude Davis
Claude Davis, his family and I at the Red Tails screening in Los Angeles.
Father Ted Hesburgh and MLK Jr.
Two giants of the Civil Rights Movement.
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