The movie Remember the Titans demonstrates effective leadership by showcasing a leader in action. It effectively highlights how a football team can educate a community about the importance of avoiding judgments based on skin color. Coach Boone, played by Denzel Washington, leads a group of high school boys as they transition from adversaries to close friends. This film provides an engaging depiction of America’s history and underscores the significance of acknowledging and remembering this era in our past. In the beginning, both the football team and their coach were all white.
At the beginning of the season, a school introduced a new coach and a group of African American students. Coach Boone emphasized coaching skills over racial background, as long as dedication was demonstrated. He drew parallels to Martin Luther King, another influential figure from that time period. The movie showcases multiple leadership positions, primarily portrayed by the coaches. In the end, Boone effectively changed a team of boys with strong animosity towards one another into a triumphant championship team.
In the movie, he conveyed the message that all males are equal and there is no justification for boys to harbor hatred towards one another based on their skin color. This particular instance played a unexpectedly vital role in uniting the players and promoting a sense of unity. As a result, the team started to motivate the entire town, instilling the idea that race should not play a role in making judgments and that every individual possesses innate equality. Moreover, two captains emerged as leaders during this period of intense racial tensions, necessitating exceptional leadership abilities to carry out their duties.
Watching this movie, I have learned that leaders are not only responsible for leading a group but also serve as role models for the entire team. The film has highlighted the challenges and obstacles that leaders often face before they can excel and achieve success. It has inspired me to improve my leadership skills and motivates me to pursue my goals, even if society disagrees. If a group of high school boys can change an entire town’s perspective, then I am confident that I too can achieve success.
