"1964. When America was at war with itself."
Director: Alan Parker
Cast: Gene Hackman, Willem Dafoe, Frances McDormand, Brad Dourif, R. Lee Ermey
Mississippi Burning — Movie Quotes
Memorable Quotes
It was a war long before we got here.
Context
Ward says this to Anderson after realizing the depth of the hostility they are facing.
Meaning
Acknowledges that the racial conflict in the South is deep-rooted and systemic, not just a temporary crime scene the FBI can fix.
With an old man so full of hate that he didn't know that being poor was what was killing him.
Context
Anderson tells Ward a story about his father to explain why these men are the way they are.
Meaning
A profound analysis of the socio-economic roots of racism. Anderson explains how poor whites are manipulated into hating Black people to distract them from their own poverty.
Hatred isn't something you're born with. It gets taught. At school they said segregation was what it said in the Bible... At 9 years of age, you get told enough times, you believe it.
Context
Mrs. Pell speaking to Anderson in her home, explaining the mindset of her husband and the town.
Meaning
highlights the indoctrination of racism and how it is passed down through generations and institutions.
You'll leave me with nothing... I'll have to live with that.
Context
Her confession scene where she decides to reveal the truth to Anderson.
Meaning
She accepts that doing the right thing will cost her her marriage and safety, but realizes her conscience is more important.
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