There isn’t a free Sunday evening where I miss my ABC lineup: Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Desperate Housewives, and if I can keep my eyes open, Brothers and Sisters. At the end of the night, I usually feel pretty good, and it’s a juggle between which of the shows’ episodes topped the evening.
It’s often a toss-up because each show satisfies my entertainment needs in a different way. Extreme Makeover gives me hope that kindness still comes in large doses, Brothers and Sisters a glimpse into the intricacies of a large immediate family (I’m an only child), and Desperate Housewives, well, is, umm... full of the backstabbing, sex, and sin I’m sure most of us will never have or do (ahem).
But on February 11, 2007, six years and five months to the day that over 3,000 people lost their lives in a vicious attack on our country’s soil, the Thomas family, Ty and his crew of designers, furniture makers, construction workers, and good ol' kindhearted folks stole the show – and captured my heart.
We will never forget the selfishness and the selflessness that occurred on the fateful day of September 11, 2001 when a group of men, believed to be Islamic terrorists, flew planes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. No one old enough to remember will ever forget where they were on that day. I was a high school senior at the time, and was in the middle of failing a physics test. I am somewhat ashamed of the relief I felt when our principal made the announcement for all teachers to turn on our closed-circuit television because our nation was “under attack.” Little did I know that in those very moments, our world would be set on a violent course that would change millions of lives forever.
On that day in 2001, Marine Jason Thomas was also a student dropping his daughter off at his mother’s home in Long Island when his aunt told him that planes had struck the twin towers. Reports say that without a moment to contemplate doubt, Thomas grabbed his Marine uniform and drove to Manhattan, parking his car feet away from the scene. Equipped with a flashlight and a shovel, Thomas met and paired with ex-marine Staff Sgt. David Karnes and searched for survivors. In the steel abyss that once stood as symbols of economic strength, Thomas and Karnes didn’t search in vain. They found, beneath 20 feet of rubble, two Port Authority police officers, Will Jimeno and Sgt. John McLoughlin, alive.
Article comments
1 - Geeves
so...are you writing about the fact that an African-American was erroneously portrayed as a white man in a movie? Jason Thomas didn't care, why should the rest of us?
Or are you writing about a show that, albeit overly sappy most times, can be very heartwarming and a reminder of how good we all can be? (and for my money, I still prefer a certain episode about a wonderful old lady who lived in Watts)
2 - CT Marine
As a former Marine, Not ex, we never talked white or black just green. Your destroying this man's legacy and turning it into Race?!! Thanks SSG Thomas, Semper FI and to all my fellow Soldiers AMerica owes you more than you know!
Semper Fi!
SSG BErgin
3 - Ayofemi Hunter-Kirby
In response to the comments above --
1. I do care about accurate portrayls of individuals in the mass media, whether they are negative or positive and I care about the fact-based truth more than anything when dealing with the affects of the mass media on public opinion. And yes, I am a very big fan of any programming that shares the infectuous impact of human kindess on people's lives. So in a way, sir, I am writing about both.
2. Excuse me for my mistake, I should have used former Marine. I stand corrected. I also applaud your acknowldgement of the unity of the Marines. My father is a former Marine, and he speaks valiantly of his experience and of the people he formed bonds with during his service. He also comments on the racism that he experienced while wearing his uniform -- in his mind it wasnt about black or white either, it was about green. But like those who mistreated him because of his race, ignoring the facts of discrimination in America and internationally was not an option no matter the color of his clothing, or his skin.
I am in no way seeking to destroy anyone's legacy, that would never be my intent. My goal was to acknowledge an inconsistency in the filmmaking of filmaking pros, and acknowldge Thomas and ABC for accurately sharing his story with their audience. I will not, however ignore the racial implications of what happened as I would not with any issue I write about if I deem necessary. I commend you and thank you for your service and for posting your comment so I have the opportunity offer clarity on my intent.
4 - Jonathan
It's unfortunate that many of us read INTO commentaries, articles, etc.
As Ayofemi's father, the former Marine (lying dormant) mentioned, the treatment received by myself while in my winter "A" (green) uniform on AmeriKKKan soil certainly speaks to the issue of unity/patriotism, or lack of by the racist society then and now.
After completing 16 weeks of "Boot Camp," we, myself and about 6 other Marines, rode the train from Camp LeJeune to NY. Stopping in Ragleigh, NC, the capitol city of NC, we decided we'd check out the town, (bars) to soak up some suds (beer).
Upon attempting to enter a particular establishment, we were told, because of me, an African American, then "colored," we could not enter.
Being at the height of our "GUNG HO" stage, we discussed whether we'd turn the place out, or proceed on to our destinations without incident. After all, we were heading home for the first time in months. We were still in our teens, 18-19 or so.
We chose the latter.
Another situation I read about as a young child was, of the refusal of the city/state government in Alabama to allow the remains of a "colored" Marine who had 'gave his life' in Korea, to be buried in the ALL WHITE MILITARY CEMETARY.
What I'm saying here is not to shed a negative light on the comradery of the Marine Corp, although racism certainly exists in every aspect of American society, but to point out that there are little known black, and white facts that continue to be minimized, or "overlooked" by the mass media.
Too many people in AmeriKKKa would like to overlook the contributions by African Americans, and/or put their own "spin" on comments that take to task the negating, whether intentional, or by an "oversight," these contributions.
I think perhaps, when Americans stop living in de-nial of the dis-ease that is racism, many people wont take offense when the truth is spoken...in this case written.
BTW, Cleopatra is not Liz Taylor.
Jonathan Kirby
5 - A. D. Wimbush
Thanks for the wonderful article on Sgt. Thomas. This is the first time I've ever read your work. I look forward to reading more of it in the future.
6 - Luis Rodriguez
First, thank you for shedding some light on this situation. I am not a fan of this show and, therefore, probably would never have heard anything about this heroic gentleman.
Second, I find it a little naive of you to think that they (movie executives) would cast a Black man in the leading role of a movie dealing with Sept. 11th. Casting a White man is, admittedly, racist when you consider that the actual person was Black, but it's also, some would say, extremely patriotic.
You must understand that America has one national religion, one national drive...capitalism. We coined the phrase, "It's just business, never personal." and that is exactly what this is...business. We are a capitalistic country, more than a republic or a democracy. Anti-business rhetoric can be considered highly seditious in this modern climate, where coporations are treated with the same rights as individuals.
This is America and, in America there is no such thing as color, only cleverly disguised issues of class. The movie execs chose a White man to appeal to a larger audience and increase the profitability of their product. Is it just? No. Is it right? Well, that depends on what your goal is. If your goal is the equality of all Americans or the accurate protrayal of an historic event then no. But if your goal is to create the most profitable product you can then yes, it was the right thing to do.
What Sgt. Thomas did on Sept. 11th was heroic and can be used to inspire patriotism in others. But managing the global economy, from the very small business operator to the mega-conglomeration is what is most important. Every business must succeed because that is the armor behind which we, as Americans, protect ourselves. Our economy is our greatest weapon and to undermine the economy, undermines the strength of our great nation.
The Dollar always wins and, to have it any other way, would be downright, un-American.
7 - Ayofemi
Luis,
I find it interesting that you would consider my propensity for holding movie executives responsible for their role in documenting this historical event naive, that you find casting a white actor in this film patriotic, and that you feel as though capitalism at this point in our time overrides color.
I will first respond to your argument in your terms of economic power:
I agree that increasing the CHANCE of profitability of the product could have been the intent of execs when they made the call not to cast an African-American in Sgt. Thomas' role. However, as Will Smith was just named the most powerful man in Hollywood, and with Samuel L. Jackson being the leading actor in gross film profits per film for almost five years in a row, I think it is naive on your part to assume that casting a white actor in the role was the right thing to do to increase sales.
Check your facts.
I think your perspective is fair, crediting strength to the power of the dollar. But I pose this question to you -- with the black buying power in 2007 estimated to reach $847 billion, with two films featuring African American stories in the top 20 highest grossing films of 2006, and with African Americans leading the white moviegoing audience by 2.4 films per year (see Motion Picture Association 2006 US Theatrical Market Statistics) ...who should movie execs really be targeting with their films?
Now on to the social structure part of your argument:
This is America, and I'm sorry to disappoint you, but there is still such a thing as “color” in this country. Though the issues of class and color are very much intertwined, one can not and does not overshadow the other.
It is naive of you to believe that.
Dont be fooled, money in this country provides a lot of opportunity, but the moment you walk in to make an expensive purchase and your skin is darker than what employees are used to seeing, or you walk into a classroom on a $20,000/yr college campus where you are the only non-white, "color" quickly resurfaces as an issue -- no matter how politically correct the atmosphere is forced to be, no matter how much you are willing to pay for that Mercedes, no matter the contribution amount your parent is making to the school, or in this case no matter how much you will or will not pay for a movie ticket.
The choice is really how much are you willing to let it affect you and more importantly the choice of where you choose to spend your money.
Thank you for your comments.
Ayofemi
8 - Larry55X
Thank you for this enlightning article. Often-times ones' age reflects his race quotient. Thank you for making this 56 year old Black VN Vet happy and proud to hear a feel good story about someone that looks like me. Small things makes me happy now because I spent the first half of my life in segregated USA. Any veteran that went into combat knows that in the mix of combat there was one color. Coming back to the hooch at night ----things reverted. If you were not there your opinion means nothing, THANK YOU for the smile I now have on my face.
9 - Tricia Mendeds
Wow - I just wanted to know a little about the programme, as I have just watched Part 2 of this EMOHE episode, and have missed the reasons for selecting the Thomas family. I have now had a very interesting history lesson on some of the issues of "colour" in the United States. One thing that strikes me very strongly, is that Jonathan still calls the USA AmeriKKKa - is this really the case? How very sad, that people can't just be people. It seems to me that instead of learning to live together, we are learning more reasons to divide!
10 - Anonymous
They knew he was Black from the beginning, before casting, before, during and after production. They didn't cast him as Black, simply because he never came forward, and they knew they could get away with it. I should say "thought." His feisty aunt Theresa, who gave him more than a nudge, was a one woman, P.R., Publicist, correct the history machine. She got his story out, and they had to say they didn't know.
What else would or could they do at that point. So many people told them the other Marine was Black. The role the White Marine portrayed engulfed everything that Jason Thomas did that day. The director, and all involved in the movie not only stole his identity, they stole his real role that fateful day.
Jason Thomas is one of many heroes that day. These heroes crossed all divides. It truly was a day America came together. Paramount and Stone had a chance to show the melting pot, they chose the low road.
11 - Robin
Jason, Your color of skin does not matter to me, I just want you to know that you are a role model for every person living on American soil.
God Bless and yours for all you have done. We are PROUD Of YOU!