local news
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Segregation Era Saga Explores
racism in Servant relationships
M ovie
r evieWS
by Kam
Williams
Excellent (4 stars)
Rated PG-13 for mature
themes and ethnic slurs.
Running time: 111 Minutes
Distributor: Walt Disney
Pictures
c
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umoja Fest
Although the story
is set in the author’s
hometown
of
Jackson in the early
60s, her best-selling
novel is more fic-
tional than autobio-
graphical in nature.
The screen adap-
tation unfolds from
the point of view of
Aibileen
Clark
(Viola Davis), a
long-suffering
nanny left bone-
weary by a life spent
“lookin’ after white
babies.” Born in
1911, she is current-
ly raising little Mae
Mobley Leefolt (Emma and Eleanor
Henry), a recent addition to a prominent
Southern family.
As narrator, Aibileen is able to admit to
the audience the existence of a “bitter seed”
planted deep inside of her soul since the
recent death of her only son. Still, she is not
one to risk her job by allowing her face to
reveal even a trace of that resentment in the
presence of her employers. Instead, the
grammatically-challenged domestic dutiful-
ly nourishes the impressionable toddler in
her care by regularly reciting the same spir-
itual mantra she’s shared with all 17 other
children entrusted to her over the years,
namely, “You is kind; you is smart; you is
important.”
By contrast, Aibileen’s relatively-mercu-
rial best friend, Minny (Octavia Spencer), is
not nearly as stoic, which explains why she
frequently finds herself fired for insubordi-
nation. After all, the strictly-enforced
housekeeper code of conduct calling for no
spanking, touching or sassing white folks,
and especially no using their bathrooms
tends to test her patience.
Passive-aggressive Minny is lucky even
m
u
n
i
t
SuSan Fried Photo
K
athryn Stockett made an auspicious
debut in 2009 with the publication
of “The Help,” a poignant period
piece examining the unquestioned relation-
ships of entitled, white socialites and their
deferential black maids in Mississippi.
S
Beautiful weather greeted umoja Family Fest 2011 last weekend at Judkins
Park. The annual parade, family reunions, cook-outs and live music drew
thousands.
to be alive after her latest outburst which led
to her being dismissed by Hilly Holbrook
(Bryce Dallas Howard), an insufferable
shrew who only got what she deserved.
Minny next lands a position with Celia
Foote (Jessica Chastain), a newcomer ostra-
cized by other well-to-do ladies because of
her white trash roots.
The plot thickens, upon the arrival back in
town of cotton plantation heiress Skeeter
Phelan (Emma Stone). Having spent time
away from the racist region, the aspiring
journalist now finds herself offended by a
way of life everyone else around her seems
y
c
a
l
e
n
to take for granted.
Feeling for the plight of the long-suffering
black servants who had raised her and her
friends so lovingly despite the discrimina-
tion, Skeeter decides to write a book
recounting what life in Jackson is like from
their perspective. So, starting with Aibileen
and Minny, she starts approaching sisters to
cooperate with the project, which is no
mean feat, given that this is Mississippi at a
time when it was often fatal to challenge the
status quo.
Truth and reconciliation belatedly
achieved, like a dream deferred.
d
a
r
S eattle a uguSt 2011
B ulletin B oard
outdoor summertime fun and entertainment for all
ages. Noon – 11:30 p.m. South lake union
Discovery Center, 101 westlake ave N.
Saturday august 13
if you have an event you want to share
with the community, email it two weeks
in advance to The Skanner at
info@theskanner.com
Thursday august 11
FrIENDS & FaMIlY EVENT wITh guEST SPEakEr
alICE! If you or someone you love struggles with
an eating disorder, come to this special event
ramey Nutrition is holding to support you! 11 a.m.
– 1 p.m. ramey Nutrition, 4241 – B 11th ave. NE
TaSTE OF hOOD CaNal: Community event by The
North Mason rotary with over 80 booths of food,
crafts, kids’ fun and information. Free for everyone
to enjoy: Belfair, wa.
Sunday august 14
SEaTTlE PrESENTS – a PErFOrMaNCE aT CITY hall!
kore Ionz groove (heavy reggae) will be perform-
ing at the free lunchtime performance. Noon –
1:30 p.m. City hall, 600 4th ave.
Friday august 12
7Th aNNuaNl SOuTh lakE uNION BlOCk ParTY!
as always this free event will feature a full day of
Page 2 The Seattle Skanner august 10, 2011
Monday august 15
MONDaY aT ThE BEaCh: Bring your beach bag
and a snack and we will provide the fun. Trips
leave loyal heights Community Center and run
from1 – 4 p.m. Call for this week’s destination. 206-
684-4052. loyal heights Community Center is
located at 2101 Nw 77th St.
Tuesday august 16
MarINErS NIghT gaME! Come out and support
the home team with other teens from around the
city. Spots fill quickly, so sign up early 5:45 – 10
p.m. hiawatha Community Center, 2700
California ave. Sw. To sign up call 206-684-7441.
Saturday & Sunday august 20 & 21
COME OuT rEaDY TO MIX aND MINglE! The NPhC
(National Pan helenic Council), Seattle urban
league of Young Professionals and National
Society of Black Engineers have come together to
host the 1st annual unity in the Community BBQ.
Members and non-members welcome. 3 – 7 p.m.
gene Coulin Park, Shelter 2, 1201 lake
washington Blvd. renton.
EaSTSIDE FuChSIa SOCIETY PlaNT ShOw aND
SalE: This show features a great selection of plants
from Eastside gardeners. Free admission, costs for
plants vary. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Bellevue Botanical
garden, 12001 Main St. Bellevue.