Flashback Friday Moment of The Week: 2/28/2020

by Just Juan
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Last week, I covered Lean on Me. I wrote about the film’s supporting actor (Jermaine Hopkins) and its supporting actress (Lynne Thigpen). I didn’t write much about its starring actor. That brings me to this week’s Black History subject in the Flashback Friday series: Morgan Freeman.

How I first came across this subject? I first came across Morgan Freeman when I saw Driving Miss Daisy with my late paternal grandmother. It had to be in Summer 1990. She was basically babysitting me and like the obedient grandson I was, I sat right there next to her on the sofa and watched the movie. All I remember was the black guy driving around the white woman.

What it meant to me then? I was 5 years old. It didn’t mean anything to me. Like I just wrote, I was an obedient grandson who sat next to his grandmother on the sofa watching movies. It’s very much likely I probably wanted her to finish up so I could watch Muppet Babies or something. As I got slightly older, I began to get to know more about “the black guy” and his films…like Lean on Me, Glory, Deep Impact, Se7en, and Along Came a Spider.

What it means to me now? Nearly 30 years after my first sight of Morgan Freeman, I’m very much respectful of his career. He has enjoyed such a versatile range in characters but has always given sterling performances. More than anything, I’m a big fan of his voice. It’s so distinct, so perfectly made for documentary narration. He’s a great thespian. One of these days, I hope to meet him.

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