Selma
I accept this honor for our lost ones,
whose deaths pave our path.
And for the 20 million
Negro men and women
motivated by dignity
and a disdain for hopelessness.
This isn't right.
Corrie.
This ain't right.
What's that?
This necktie. It's not right.
Well, it's not a necktie, dear.
It's an ascot.
Yes, but generally the same principles
should apply, shouldn't they?
It's not right.
It's not right, or you don't like it?
I don't like how this looks.
Looks distinguished and debonair
to me.
You know what I mean.
Like we're living high on the hog.
Dressed like this
while folks back home are...
It's not right.
Wait till the brothers back home
see me like this.
They'll have a good laugh.
Let them laugh.
It's not a crime to be away
for a few days, Martin.
It's nice being away, huh?
Yeah. It really is.
Look here.
I'm gonna be a pastor
somewhere small.
College town.
Lead a little church. Teach a class.
Maybe the occasional
speaking engagement.
And I'll pay all the bills for us,
especially the mortgage
for our very own house.
Perfect.
You look handsome.
Through it all,
Martin Luther King has
spoken of his dream.
One which we
and many other people
around the world share.
To this undeterred hero for justice,
the Nobel Committee of Oslo, Norway,
awards our 1964 Peace Prize.
I accept this honor for our lost ones,
whose deaths pave our path.
I accept this honor for the more than
who are motivated by dignity.
Together we believe that
what the illusion
of supremacy has destroyed,
the truth of equality can nourish.
I promise you.
It ain't nothing to be scared of.
It's quick.
And the pastor is right there next to you.
Yeah, but the biggest thing
is getting your hair wet up.
I got my hair pressed that same morning
and it was wasted
as soon as I hit the water.
I should have worn a swim cap
like Mama said.
See, I asked my mama
could she make my hair like
Coretta Scott King had hers
at the Washington March.
But she said that was too grown.
Oh, I love her hair.
I heard she don't even put rollers in it.
It's just like that.
But I studied it. I know how she do it.
See, she parts in the middle and then...
Annie Lee Cooper!
Get on up now. I ain't got all day.
You work for Mr. Dunn
down at the rest home, ain't that right?
Yes.
Wonder what old Dunn'll say
when I tell him
one of his gals is down here
stirring a fuss.
I ain't stirring no fuss.
I'm just here trying to register to vote.
It's all right this time.
It's right when I say it's right.
Recite the Constitution's preamble.
Know what a preamble is?
"We the people of the United States,
"in order to form a more perfect union,
"establish justice,
"ensure domestic tranquility,
"provide for the common defense,
promote the general welfare..."
How many county judges in Alabama?
Sixty-seven.
Name them.
Aren't we done?
Are we not done with this?
- Will this ever end?
- I don't know, Mr. President.
A comprehensive plan
is already in place.
The act was only passed
six months ago.
So hammer home that
impatience only hurts the overall cause.
We're... We're getting there.
Just... Just keep reiterating the plan.
No, he doesn't want reiteration.
He wants something so he can say,
"Look, I told you I had a dream
"and it's all coming goddamn true,
whether you like it or not!"
That's what he wants.
What he needs to do
is get on board with what we're doing
instead of the other way around.
For once!
Mr. President, Dr. King.
Mr. President.
Dr. King.
Well, I'll tell you.
I'm a tall son-of-a-b*tch,
but this close to the new Nobel laureate
and with all those other trinkets
you've been collecting lately,
I feel tits-high to a puppy dog.
Well, thank you, Mr. President.
Mr. White.
- Dr. King.
- All right.
I'll tell you, ending segregation,
proudest moment of my life
when I signed that '64 Act.
Proudest moment of my life, I tell you.
Now civil rights is a priority
- of this administration as you know.
- Thank you.
We're gonna face the challenge,
or this country is
storing up a heap of trouble for itself.
Now, seeing as I can't convince you to
work with my administration
in an official capacity
inside the White House,
I feel damn fortunate
to have someone
as statesmanlike as you
leading the movement.
And I want you to go on leading it.
No one else.
Not one of these
militant Malcolm X types.
So... I wanna help. Tell me how.
Well, Mr. President,
I'm here to speak
specifically about the denial
for the Negro citizen.
The right to vote.
Well... Technically...
Technically, we already have it.
Yes, Mr. President.
But, we both know in the South
black voters are kept off the rolls
and out of the voting booths
by systematic intimidation
and fear, Mr. President.
Now, you asked how you can help.
We want Federal legislation
granting Negroes the right
to vote unencumbered.
And we want Federal
protocol eliminating
the decades-long dismissal
and illegal denial
And we want
robust enforcement of that protocol.
Well... That's fine.
But... Most of the South
is still not desegregating.
Let's not start another battle
when we haven't even won the first.
And you know what
The eradication of poverty.
I'm calling it "The War on Poverty."
It's a matter of political priorities.
Poverty is going to be my focus at home
and I want you to help me with this.
We can make big changes
in these things
for people of all colors.
And I know that matters to you,
doesn't it?
This voting thing
is just gonna have to wait.
It...
It can't wait, Mr. President.
Well, why not?
Because there have been thousands
in the South,
including those four girls.
Well, I know that...
And you know the astounding fact
that not one of these criminals
who murder us when and why they want
has ever been convicted.
Yeah, I know we have a lot
of work to do down there.
Not one conviction
because they are protected
by white officials
chosen by an all-white electorate.
And on the rare occasions
that they face trial,
they are freed by all-white juries.
All-white because
you can't serve on a jury
unless you are registered to vote.
Well, Dr. King, you've certainly given me
something to think about.
But this administration is going to
set this aside for a while.
Just for a while, you understand.
Yes, Mr. President, I... I understand.
Selma it is.
We need to see what's what first,
Big Fellow.
We're just here to test the waters.
Oh, my Lord.
What you got us into, woman?
We've got 128 miles
to come to our senses, gentlemen.
Hush.
This here is the place we need to be.
This right here is the next great battle.
I can only imagine.
Decent-looking place to die though.
Ms. Nash.
Mr. Bevel.
Doc? This here is it. Selma's the place.
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