Anita; Speaking the Truth to Power
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About the film
The film is about women in society fighting against sexual harassment by those in power and politics. The film focuses on a young black American lawyer, Anita hill, who accused the Supreme Court nominee judge Thomas Clarence of sexual harassment while working for him from 1981 to 1983. The film describes the fight against sexual harassment, race, power, and politics. She was thoroughly inspected and questioned by the judiciary committee that includes the then-senator Joe Biden that tried to undermine her testimony and trying to cover up the issues as much as possible. The film also interviews the New York Times executive editor, Jill Abrahamson that gave the impact surrounding the case and what Anita’s actions meant for the whole nation. Alongside Abramson, Anita’s lawyer Charles Ogletree was interviewed.
Despite receiving death threats and sexual violence threats, Anita Hill was still strong and open about her experience. Simultaneously, she received support letters from thousands of people supporting her and thanking her for the courage and determination in fighting against her injustice. In the film, she describes in detail the physical and mental abuse she went through. In her opening statement, she describes herself in detail, her parents, childhood, and hardship struggle she went through growing up and that she was raised to do right; suing and testifying against judge Thomas was the right thing. During the film, Anita clearly describes for the viewers that sexual harassment and sexual assault are about control, power, and the abuse of power and not about sex or physical attraction.
The main purpose of the documentary was to describe sexual harassment in the workplace. Simultaneously, the documentary shows the change that can occur when one person speaks out fearlessly against social evils, what people experience in their workplace from sex harassments, race discrimination to gender inequality. Women are fighting for their rights and dignity despite their color or situation or the people they are fighting against. Speaking up the truth and fighting the political powers that undermine the right and dignity.
Why the film
The Anita Hill documentary is a well-structured historical document. The film has brilliant scenes that clearly define sexual harassment in the workplace. There are many reasons for watching the film, the leading one being the relationship between intersectionality and sexual harassment. Intersectionality is described as discrimination based on the victim’s profile, for example, gender, race, or social class. Since gender justice is an important subject matter, especially in the workplace, one must clearly understand sexual harassment, where/when it happens, and its consequences. The film provides a clear outline of facts that unveil the myths that are attached to sexual assault. It also provides knowledge for further understanding of the subject matter.
People should be mobilized into understanding the facts about sexual harassment and take it seriously, with the weight it deserves. A lot of people suffer in silence. They should be made aware that they are not alone and that they should stand firm against sexual assault when it happens to them or those near them. Politically, the film shows how the current US president, Joe Biden, is involved with the Anita Hill case. As much as he did not show much involvement, he also did not show much support either.
The film clearly highlights some of the issues that society experiences as outlined in the human sexuality cause. The film was chosen because it shows the sexual and emotional concepts that arise in the course learning and at the same time educates the viewer on the rights and freedom women have in society.
The films relation to human sexuality
The documentary is greatly related to the human sexuality course in that it describes the behaviors and gender sexuality. Anita hill’s film sheds light on the fact that sexuality is not about one gender. Describing the role of human sexuality helps gain insight into the social problem facing sex emotions and gender roles. The film’s effect in creating awareness of the various issues affecting women’s sexuality and gender inequality describes the human sexuality issues described in the course outline. For example, the allegations brought forward by Anita hill were dismissed by the judicial committee is a clear example of gender discrimination. Despite her testimony and the storm the case created in the country, the committee full of men did not find the truth to her allegation. This clearly shows how gender inequality and sexuality-related issues were ignored.
Interesting thing
The documentary was fascinating and inspiring by the way it empowers women. Despite all the obstacles, there is hope in the fight against gender inequality and sexual harassment by those in a higher power position. Anita hill portrays a strong character of determination, courage, confidence, and fearlessness. She was strong enough to answer the full men’s committee’s uncomfortable questions concerning her sexual harassment without hesitation.
It’s interesting how Anita hill remained vigilant and determined despite the endless efforts made by Thomas clearance to do away with her case. She did not surrender nor take a retreat as expected by the judiciary committee. Her zeal greatly empowers many women not only in America but all over the world to firmly stand up and fight against sexual harassment at their workplaces.
It’s interesting how one person’s voice could result in a great change in society and the lives of other people. By speaking the truth, Anita hill’s life took a different turn; she ceased being a private figure and rather became a public figure, where she became a public spokesperson for gender, equality which happened due to the several letters she got from women supporting and applauding her for her courage.
Unexpected thing
The Anita Hill against Clarence Thomas case had a few unexpected occurrences. For instance, the case was considered to have been based on private conversations between both parties. It was likely that one of them was lying. However, this did not prevent the case from being popular. The popularity caused sexual harassment at the workplace to be revealed. People changed perspective, and the case eventually gained public support.
Anita Hill was the first woman to upend a supreme court with allegations regarding sexual misconduct. Surprisingly, due to fear, she asked that her identity remain anonymous, especially to Thomas. To suppress the chances of Hill winning, not all witnesses were called to testify. Sukari Hardnett was one of the uncalled witnesses. She had also worked for Thomas as a special assistant. Joe Biden was the chairman of the committee at the time. In an interview, he said that the results of the hearing were unfair and that he voted against Thomas. However, this did not prevent the case from being used against Him during his presidential race campaigns.
Sadly, the case ended with a win on Thomas’s side. He won 52-48. Anita Hill was mocked and consequently accused of tarnishing Thomas’s name. At the end of the hearing, the FBI report said that Hill’s allegations were unfounded. To top it all up, Thomas was sworn in as associate justice in the Supreme Court on 23rd October, 1991.this would e considered a case of justice not served. Despite all these, Hill said that she would be open to considering voting for Joe Biden as president of the United States.
Lesson learned
A lot can be learned from the film and Anita Hill’s experience. Courage and the zeal to try to fight for what is believed to be right. In this case, Anita Hill’s courage to testify against the judge was a lesson for many young, mistreated, and sexually abused women in society. The female empowerment to report high profile people’s misconduct is a lesson to be learned by the current generation. The fact that men fail to understand the sexual harassment concept and grasp its impact on society is a lesson for the current generation to learn and understand that sexual harassment is a social issue that has to be talked about. For instance, in the trial, the judicial committee full of men failed to understand Hill’s statements and Clarence’s testimonies. To the committee, the Hill enjoyed and was okay with the sexual advance from Clarence. The documentary clearly depicts that it is not always about winning; rather, it can also be about conveying grievances or concerns that one has about an issue. The film lesson that harassment is not just about sex but also about control, power, and how it is used.
The film was effective at portraying the main message that it was trying to put across. Anita sees sexual harassment as part of gender inequality and goes beyond the workplace, sidewalks, and home. Her involvement as an educator and speaker contributes greatly to the advocacy of the film’s main message of sexual harassment and gender inequality. The threats and violence that Hill experienced in the documentary was an effective portrayal of the fact that speaking for the truth and against powerful people is hard and difficult for the majority of common people who are mistreated and harassed in either way.
In dismissing the case against Thomas Clarence, the film portrays the mistreatment that people face in the pursuit of wanting and receiving justice. The film also creates a perfect image of women’s roles in society and how people can transform from one stage to another. Anita’s transformation to being one of the most influential professors and speakers dealing with gender inequality in the world.
The film could not have been done any differently in portraying the message of sexual harassment and gender inequality. The film would have somehow included the verbal description by Anita Hill in the real hearing. One way or another, the filmmakers would have created a more vivid experience from the court on that specific date. The creators could have apparently created a more creative political framework concerning race and sex for the viewers to understand what went on during the whole time.
The information and lessons learned from the film will be crucial in my everyday life experiences as a young person. To show courage and fight for the right thing in our daily lives is important as a generation. The film also made clear sexual harassment and gender inequality is a real and misunderstood concept y many. Therefore, from the film, I will be able to apply and understand the concept of sexuality and differentiate when it’s acceptable and when it becomes harassment.
In general, Anita Hill’s documentary film was a good example of the injustice the women experience in the workplace, how misunderstood women are when they allow sexual advancements to form their bosses or coworkers. The fear of losing their jobs and embarrassment and, at the same time, receiving little or no justice compensation is clearly shown in the film. As seen above, the documentary is a reminder of the change that can occur when a single person decides to speak out for the truth and against the political influence and power to gain gender equality and stop sexual harassment in society.
References
Film Media Group. (, 2014). Anita: speaking truth to power. Film on Demand. https://fod.inforbase.com/Portalplaylists.aspx?wID=99355&xtid=65959