The Racially Charged Clash in In the Heat of the Night

Abstract

Reflection: In the Heat of the Night Introduction “In the Heat of the Night” is an interesting film directed by Norman Jewison. It was released in the late 60s addressing complex theme of racism, justice and social change in America during this era. The film stars Rod Steiger as Gillespie; a white police chief in Sparta town Mississippi and Sidney Poiter as Vigil Tibbs; A black detective from Philadelphia. It begins with tension as Philip Colbert is murdered. Unfortunately, due to racially coined stereotypes a white cop Wood arrests a black man Virgil Tibbs who was waiting for a train to Memphis. After questioning, Sheriff Gillespie learns that Tibbs was not only innocent but also a first rate homicide detective in Philadelphia. Despite such hostility and racial prejudice, Tibbs accepts to assist with the murder investigation due to his expertise forming uneasy alliance with Gillespie. The film did not surprise me that much as racial discrimination is not a new theme in American Movies as well as from the real-life context. However the film proved inspiring as the racially discriminated black man proved beyond reasonable doubts that what a white can do a black can do even better. I felt sorry for Tibbs upon being arrested by Woods simply because of his color. Based on the film, it is open that during the 60s when the civil rights movements were on top notch, being black proved a threat as the whites associated it with chaos. However, as Tibbs revealed his identity and accepted to assist in the murder case, he beat all odds to prove that just like the whites the people of color also deserved respect and being understood as not all are criminals. He managed to save the innocently held blacks until he revealed the main culprit regardless of the racial discriminations he experienced in the process. The film reinforced certain...