Katherine Rivard
Talk to Me provides an excellent example of the racial tensions Americans were battling in the 60’s and 70’s, as it was a prevailing theme throughout the film. Although the radio station was targeted primarily for African Americans, the station was largely influenced by white culture and trying to assimilate black culture with white America, being too afraid to step out against the typical social expectations and fully engross their culture. What I think is most important about the film is Dewey’s main point in the beginning of the film—the station was no longer a station “for the people, by the people.” The station’s conforming to the dominant white social norms made them, as Back explains, “a paradox for a scene which prides itself on being socially aware, and open-minded,” (139). Petey became a leader in helping to break those barriers, and he truly representing the majority of black Americans in D.C.; he wasn’t afraid to hold anything back and wasn’t afraid of being beaten down by the establishment. He was inspiring to citizens because he was open about his individuality and he wasn’t afraid to speak up against the unfair social and economic subjugation that so many citizens were fighting for.