Film Report - Remember the Titans - Racism

Film Report

Sociology of Sports

Remember The Titans: A Journey from Racism to Respect

Remember The Titans is a movie based on a true story from 1971, where a court order forced three high schools from two divided white and African-American communities to integrate into one, T.C. Williams High School. In the town of Alexandria, Virginia, high school football is described as a way of life. The white coach, Bill Yoast (Will Patton), long time head coach of the all-white Hammond High School football team, is asked to step down to assistant coordinator, and African-American coach Herman Boone (Denzel Washington) is appointed to replace him as the school’s first black faculty member. Throughout the movie, Coach Boone attempts to be perfect and win, but most importantly he strives to integrate a racially divided football team, school and community.

During training camp in Gettysburg, Coach Boone selects teammates of different races to be roommates, and expects all players to get to know everyone on the team. However, white and black players, represented respectively by team captain Gerry Bertier (Ryan Hurst) and Julius Campbell (Wood Harris), frequently enter in racially motivated conflicts. Ultimately, Bertier and Campbell come to the understanding that the team’s unity is limited by racial conflicts. They both challenge players to accept their differences and play for each other.

Returning from training camp, the football team has learned the notions of respect and unity, but racial tensions continue to occur at school and in the community. For instance, Bertier’s girlfriend does not want to shake hands with Campbell when they meet during the first day of class. Moreover, Bertier’s mom does not want to talk to Campbell or even see him in her house. Furthermore, a rebel throws a brick at Coach Boone’s house at night, breaking the front window and scarring his family. Later on, Coach Boone is told by a member of the school board that if his football...