By Any Means Review
· science
The Weight of Complicity: By Any Means Explores the Brutalities of Racist Voter Suppression
Elegance Bratton’s drama, By Any Means, is a powerful exploration of the brutal realities faced by Black Americans in their pursuit of voting rights during the 1960s. The film centers on Vernon Dahmer’s murder and the subsequent investigation, but it also sheds light on the poll tax, a more insidious form of voter suppression.
In 1965, when the Voting Rights Act granted Black people the right to vote without restriction, southern states quickly introduced measures that effectively nullified this freedom. The poll tax was a thinly veiled attempt to disenfranchise poor Black communities, and it bears an eerie resemblance to modern-day voter suppression tactics.
Vernon Dahmer’s promise to cover the fee for those struggling to afford it is a testament to his unwavering commitment to justice and equality. His words, “It’s a proclamation that we here, that we matter,” echo throughout the film, serving as a reminder of the resilience and determination that defined the civil rights movement.
The story follows Wayne Strider, an FBI agent from Chicago who returns to Mississippi to join the local unit. Strider is tasked with investigating Dahmer’s murder in collaboration with Gregory Scarpa, a mobster shipped in from Brooklyn. This unlikely partnership raises questions about complicity and the moral gray areas that often accompany attempts at justice.
The film portrays racist crimes being swept under the rug by law enforcement as a scathing critique of systemic failures that perpetuate inequality. The character of Strider, who is torn between his duty as an agent and his loyalty to his community, highlights the weight of complicity that many individuals faced during this period.
By Any Means also explores the intersectional nature of racism and its impact on marginalized communities. The film’s attention to historical detail is meticulous, weaving together real-life events with fictional narratives to create a nuanced portrayal of life in 1960s Mississippi.
The racist voter suppression tactics employed during this period bear an unsettling resemblance to modern-day efforts to restrict voting rights. This echoes through history as a warning about the dangers of complacency and the importance of continued vigilance.
The film’s success lies not only in its storytelling but also in its ability to spark critical thinking about the complexities of racism and its many manifestations. By Any Means is a powerful reminder that the struggles of the past continue to shape our present, and it is up to us to acknowledge this history and learn from it.
As Strider navigates the treacherous landscape of 1960s Mississippi, we are forced to confront the uncomfortable truth about complicity in systems of oppression. This is a story that must be told, one that challenges us to consider our own role in perpetuating or dismantling these systems.
The film’s ending serves as a poignant reminder that justice often comes at a great cost and that the pursuit of equality is never truly won but rather earned through continued struggle.
Reader Views
- CPCole P. · science writer
One of the most insidious aspects of By Any Means is how it illustrates the entanglement between systemic racism and corruption. While the film exposes the poll tax as a tool for voter suppression, it's equally disturbing to consider the complicity of law enforcement in these atrocities. The character of Strider's inner turmoil raises important questions about the moral calculus required to participate in or turn a blind eye to racist systems – but what about the actual consequences faced by those who do speak out?
- TLThe Lab Desk · editorial
While By Any Means effectively chronicles the brutal realities of racist voter suppression in 1960s Mississippi, it's worth noting that the film glosses over the complicity of liberal whites in perpetuating these injustices. The character of Wayne Strider, a Chicagoan assigned to investigate Vernon Dahmer's murder, raises more questions than answers about the moral agency of law enforcement during this period. A more nuanced exploration of the ways in which complicity can take many forms – including silence, avoidance, and even well-intentioned actions – would have added depth to the narrative.
- DEDr. Elena M. · research scientist
While By Any Means shines a necessary light on the brutalities of voter suppression in 1960s Mississippi, its portrayal of complicity among law enforcement feels oversimplified. In reality, agents like Wayne Strider often found themselves trapped between their duty to uphold justice and their loyalty to their communities, where institutional racism was deeply ingrained. A more nuanced exploration of this moral gray area would have added depth to the narrative, highlighting the complexities that continue to plague our justice system today.