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Fences (2016)

Fences (2016) is nominally a story about being black in the United States of America in the 1950's. 'Troy' is a disaffected working man that never really had a chance. He is unable to make sense of an unfair world. Viola Davis doesn't get as much screen time (this is Denzel's movie), but when she is let on the scene, she destroys. 'Rose' is setting herself aside to make a life & family despite very little prospects for measurable happiness.

Based on an August Wilson play - the magic of his writing is that at its root, this story is about people who set aside themselves for "existence". All people yearn for happiness on this world from their achievements (at least to achieve 'success' & 'happiness' relative to people around them). People want to proclaim they are in control of their situations. People want to be treated generously and with respect. People think that the world, society, economy, and people around them should act like they love them - those other folks and the structures of the community should at least give them a fair chance to [just be] the way they are. To some extent, people want to be respected & appreciated for some picture of themselves that represents how they meant to be.

AND they don't get that. Obviously. People are dehumanized by others and the systems of society. They aren't able to achieve relative success and aren't treated with respect or fairness. Other people and structures tell them they are [less than] as the excuse for the imbalance.

So the characters respond in very relatable ways. 'Troy' is angry, self-indulgent, bitter and destroys the relationships around him. 'Rose' prays to God and doubles down on setting herself aside. She grips and grasps to deny herself for the greater good of the children and her unrepentant husband.

I could see myself in these people. I have been angry, bitter, depressed, self-destructive. I have been constipated with self-denial on behalf of my version of some 'greater good'. I have raged and cried over not being 'respected' and 'recognized' for what I am or did - or at least what I intended to be and do.

The 'right' answer is that we should treat all others with love & respect while we are here. We don't need to be them or become them to appreciate the struggle and their desire to [just be] and [have a chance]. God points out that we are all out of place in that manner in this world. This author understood that even if his characters don't seem to figure it out.

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