3120
Mario, Molly, Aubrey
Films and Fictionalizing the Truth
Ron Stallworth
Youngest detective in the Colorado Springs PD
Infiltrated the ranks of the KKK. In 2014, he published a book about the experience, which was later adapted into a film directed by Spike Lee.
Time with the KKK
1978:
Stallworth saw an advertisement for a new chapter of the Klu Klux Klan in Colorado Springs.
He decided to respond to the posting, providing the Klan with an address and phone number through a P.O. box.
To make a long story short:
Stallworth posed as a Klan member for nine months using white officers when it was required to meet in person.
The Movie
Directed by Spike Lee, starring John Washington and Adam Driver.
Does justice to how it must have felt to be Ron Stallworth and the other officers.
There are a few key differences though…
The Differences
We don’t really know the identity of the officer who posed as Stallworth at the Klan meetings.
The partner was NOT Jewish.
The investigations ended for different reasons
Questions
What are some other instances of fictionalizing the truth in film and television that you guys can think of?
What do you believe is the role of film, when it comes to history?
Do you think the film-maker has a duty to anyone or anything, and, if so, who?
If not, what consequences should the film-maker face for haphazardly bridging the gap between truth and fiction?
What of the public:
Should the average person be expected to view entertainment like Blackkklansman?
Works Cited
Lang, K. (2019, October 29). Blackkklansman movie vs. The true story of Ron Stallworth. HistoryvsHollywood.com. Retrieved January 24, 2023, from https://www.historyvshollywood.com/reelfaces/blackkklansman/
Street, S. (n.d.). Ron Stallworth. Ron Stallworth - Author of BlacKkKlansman. Retrieved January 24, 2023, from https://www.ron-stallworth.com/
Wikimedia Foundation. (2023, January 17). Ron Stallworth. Wikipedia. Retrieved January 24, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Stallworth