Movie Review: "Something the Lord Made"

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This movie (2004) sounds as if it has a religious theme, but it does not. Instead, it is thoroughly sociospiritual, defending equal opportunity for all. It is the dramatic story of an African American doctor (Vivian Thomas) who was born with the creative genius to understand the depths of medicine. Originally a carpenter, he aided a caucasian physician to perform the first heart-surgery. The caucasian doc got all the credit-- no surprise in the old days of bigotry and ignorance. (Until then, surgeons were prohibited from ever touching the
heart.)
This is the story of how this brilliant man was ignored, neglected, even abused, in the United States because of his race. The story is not a blast of excitement; in some areas, it feels almost like a documentary.
But it tells a story that badly, desperately needs to be told, of how society often ruined itself by ruining the lives, or preventing the educational development, of minority-persons. Due to this blind and ignorant pressure, any number of good, even great, minds went to waste. The hero of the movie, Vivian Thomas, was the exception. After years of hard and even genius-level work, he was rejected by several minority universities; and too little, too late, he was finally granted a
doctorate from Johns-Hopkins, which his life and discoveries greatly benefited.
This movie is a reminder that, no matter how humble a beginning, a Soul has a history that might grant it genius, or gifts, in many areas. We should never take any person, any Soul, for granted. Each should be given an equal chance to participate in, and give to, the Whole.
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Absence of Religious or Racial Bigotry

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When the Christian Scriptures say that "God is no respecter of persons," what they mean is that God is never favoritistic or racially or religiously prejudiced. God is Love, and Love does not practice bigotry.

It is important for Christians to know this about their God, for the Jehovah of the Hebrew Scriptures ("Old Testament") was an extremist who did regularly practice religious and racial bigotry. He saw Israel, or the Hebrews, as "his chosen people," and, in essence, loved only Hebrews.
The God of Jesus, being Love, has no "chosen people." This is a human, limited idea that leads people to only bigotry. The Way is one of equality among all persons, and in this sameness of status, each and every being has a personal, and equal, relationship with the interior divine Mind of Love.

Israel, as a nation, and Judaism, as a faith, both have a right to exist, and to prosper. God (Love) certainly holds nothing against them. But neither do they enjoy any special blessedness, or any special position, before the Lord of Love, who loves all equally. To imitate this fine Love is our highest goal and calling. So, while accepting and loving all Jews, the Christian must also love all Hindus, Buddhists, agnostics, atheists, and others. For she is called upon to love both her friends and her enemies.

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