H.Getachew
In the film Talk to Me the two main characters Petey and Dewy were both social activist, who fight against racism and social injustice but they just had different style. Petey was outspoken and he told the truth, did not really care who he offended. Since he was an ex-con, others did not expect anything-postive for him and that gave him freedom to say everything he wanted. He didn’t expect that much from life as well, he just want to be himself even turned down business opportunities. I didn’t think he was racist; he was not speaking out against white people, but against the system. The fact that MLK was assassinated by a racist system angered him and the fact he grew up poor in the project angered him. His listerns could related to him, he gave the black commuinty vocie. He was able to bring people and conntect their ideas, stuggles and anger through the radio. “Black radio, thought it was part of corportat America’s exploitation of the black consumer had some positive effects within Black culture and the black consciousness.(Newman, 117)The problem with Petey, he talked the talk but wasn’t stable person; he had drinking problem and was an ex-con. He reminded people and himself that he was just an ex-con.
For Dewy fighting racism and social injustice was by becoming financial successful not just by talking about was wrong with American society during that time. He said in the movie he was born in the project but struggled to get out of it. He was financial stable and went on to own the radio station. I did not think he was afraid to say certain things, as portrayed in the movie. He was a man of action, when it really counted he locked up the station manager to get Petey on the air.
I enjoyed this movie; it was funny and educational that same time.