In 1971 schools were forced to integrate blacks and whites, This racial integration was just reaching Alexandria, VA, and the reaction was outrageous. Over the summer, a white shopkeeper had shot a black youth to death, and the town became divided along color lines.
As the reaction was already bad this event had made matters far worse. To help improve the situation, T.C. Williams High had decided to bring in me Herman Boone a young black coach. I was hired over an experienced white coach Bill Yoast. I always felt the best man for the job should be hired despite race. A victim of discrimination myself back in South Carolina, I had felt bad about displacing another coach solely on the basis of race and offered Yoast a job under me as defensive coach. .
Most of the white players had taken a stand saying that they would sit the season out if they have to play for a black coach. At the time I guess they felt I would not judge fairly. Knowing that if he's white players sit the season out it would ruin their chances of getting a college scholarship and playing pro Yoast convinces the players to give it a chance. One of my views for the team was that the best player will play despite race. It didn't help matters that the town had been integrated by name only. .
Before I knew it, it was time to take the boys to camp. In the morning when I had arrived there were two buses the white players where on one side with their parents situated behind them while the black players, with their parent where on the other. They where all dressed in a suite and those who weren't were left behind. I felt that it was important for them to be neat as they where representing their school and parents. Two of the white players stepped forward and told me who they had planned to play and their positions. I didn't react well to this they weren't respecting my authority as their coach. Young people should respect their elders.
I believe "Remember the Titans" fits the perfect description of a great movie. ... "Remember the Titans" deals with a high school recently integrated. ... "Remember the Titans" gives its audience such a range of emotion. ... "Remember the Titans" is such a great movie. ... I give "Remember the Titans" a ten!...
