Interpret the instances of discrimination in the film Remember the Titans.

Before addressing the issue of discrimination in the film Remember the Titans, it is important to realize an essential truth: the film is very inspirational, but highly inaccurate. The story of the 1971 T.C. Williams football team that is depicted in the film is not very true according to many of the people involved in the football program. The link below, while not an academic source, discusses some of the historical inaccuracies of the film,...

Before addressing the issue of discrimination in the film Remember the Titans, it is important to realize an essential truth: the film is very inspirational, but highly inaccurate. The story of the 1971 T.C. Williams football team that is depicted in the film is not very true according to many of the people involved in the football program. The link below, while not an academic source, discusses some of the historical inaccuracies of the film, including the notion that the community was not supportive of the coach because he was an African-American. In discussing the film itself, there were some instances of discrimination, but mostly the film dealt with the issue of racism and stereotypes. The one instance where the film highlights discrimination was focused around a local restaurant. The team, excited about an early season victory, decided to go out for something to eat. The restaurant owner refuses to seat the team because there are African-Americans in the group. The owner even discriminates against the backup quarterback who is white because he is a "hippie" in the eyes of the restaurateur. Another example of discrimination in the film is the hiring of Herman Boone and is actually an example of reverse discrimination. The film portrays the hiring of Boone as being motivated by the need to have a black coach. The former coach, Bill Yoast, a white man, was passed over for the job while appearing by all accounts to be highly qualified for the job. Other actions in the film that depict any racial tension are to be considered racism and not really discrimination. While racial tensions did still exist in Alexandria, Virginia in 1971 as they still do today, by all accounts the film greatly exaggerates its impact on the football season for artistic purpose.