I recently viewed
an excellent, ‘star-studded’ movie, “The Butler.” It was loosely based on the
life of a long-time White House butler by the name of Eugene Allen; a black man
who served in that position for 34 years.
In the movie the
somewhat composite character, “Cecil Gaines,” serves throughout the course of
eight presidential administrations; beginning with Truman and ending with
Reagan.
And we, as it
were, stand in the shadows and watch as Cecil hands out cookies to visiting
children, dusts the bookshelves in the Oval Office, shines the shoes of various
members of the First Family, and serves at state dinners.
Perhaps it goes
without saying, but Eugene, (aka Cecil) began his White House career during the
height of the Civil Rights Movement, and as the scenes and dialogue of the
movie play out, there are a myriad of allusions to the racial tension and
innuendo of that time period. In one poignant scene our butler makes President
Reagan aware of a 40 percent pay differential which then existed between the
wages of the white and black staff. And, (at least as the movie portrays it)
their conversation represents the catalyst by which African-American employees
of the White House began to receive more equitable pay.
Ultimately, Cecil
makes this same president aware of his plans to retire which leads Nancy R.,
(aka Jane Fonda) to, in short order, locate his whereabouts, and ask a leading
question.
“Cecil, you will
be at the state dinner for Chancellor Kohl of Germany, will you not?”
To which her
humble servant responds,
“Well, yes, Mrs.
Reagan. I serve at all the state dinners.”
The conversation
continues.
“No, Cecil. I’m not talking about
serving. I’m talking about being served. President Reagan and I would like you
and your wife to be our guests that night.”
The butler could
hardly believe his ears.
“Me? My wife?
Mrs. Reagan, I don’t know what to say!”
Nancy smiled.
“Just say, ‘yes’
and make plans to join us, Cecil. God knows, you deserve it. And buy your wife
a fancy dress. I guarantee this will be ‘the highlight of your twilight,’ my
dear man.”
As the movie
nears its conclusion, Cecil, (portrayed by Forest Whitaker) and “Gloria,” his
wife, (portrayed by Oprah Winfrey) find themselves seated opposite the
Reagan’s, and the Kohl’s at a long table decorated with the finest dinnerware;
and attended by black waiters in tuxedo’s.
I hasten to add
that while the movie, “The Butler” was guilty of numerous errors, and
fabrications, the inclusion of the real life, Eugene Allen and his wife, Helene
at Chancellor Kohl’s state dinner was not one of them. For you see, this
particular scene is based upon fact.
As we linger off
camera, we behold the extravagance of the entire affair. A multiplicity of
guests of rank and honor. A comparatively smaller number of the most proficient
of White House butlers.
The servers and
they who are served.
One of Cecil’s
understudies, (and his close friend) bends to whisper in his ear,
“More champagne,
Mr. Gaines?”
To which the
chief butler responds,
“Shut up, with
that ‘Mr. Gaines’ stuff.”
And as our humble
hero ponders the laviousness and solemnity of the occasion, and considers those
with whom he has (momentarily) been blessed to “rub shoulders,” he reflects,
“It was different
sitting
at the table instead of serving it.
…Real different.
I could see the two faces
the butlers wore to survive.
And I knew I'd lived my life
with those same two faces.
at the table instead of serving it.
…Real different.
I could see the two faces
the butlers wore to survive.
And I knew I'd lived my life
with those same two faces.
Gloria looked so
happy,
but I didn't feel the same way.
I guess I wished we were there
for real …instead of for show.”
but I didn't feel the same way.
I guess I wished we were there
for real …instead of for show.”
Two faces
(Mc)Donald's Daily Diary. Vol. 37. By William McDonald, PhD. Copyright pending.
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