One Night In Miami
A Deep Dive by Ashley Salem featuring Ja Keen Fox
Cassius Clay:
“I am 210.5 lbs of trouble, boys. And what they didn’t know was when they weighed me in, a half pound of it wasn’t even me.”
Jim Brown:
“Oh, what was it, Cash?”
Cassius Clay:
“It was a half pound of divine skill bestowed upon me from God up on high!”-One Night In Miami
4 Greats
Muhammad Ali, then, Cassius Clay was a smooth, confident brother from the bluegrass state of Kentucky. His swagger, quick jabs, and “pretty” face were on full display alongside, Sam Cooke, Jim Brown, and Malcolm X. In Regina King’s directorial debut, she finesses the film written by Kemp Powers who created the original screenplay of the new film. There is so much to unpack here in this film. Get comfortable and get ready for the exploration of themes and reflections from “One Night In Miami.” The fictional film takes place at The Hampton House in Miami. The four distinguished men, who in the current day we have come to know as pillars of their time, all come to the Hotel to celebrate Cassius Clay’s win against Sonny Liston. Ja Keen Fox and myself will break apart several scenes of the film and examine the layers of the impact of racism, what it is to be truly free, and what it looks like to stand in your personal power.
Lemon(aide)
One of the opening scenes in the film shows Jim Brown coming to sit on the porch of a man referred to as Mr. Carlton, who is an older white man who knows Jim’s family. Jim Brown is an extremely gifted football player and Mr. Carlton is speaking to him about how proud he is of him. During this portion of the film, Jim is noticeably uncomfortable and apprehensive in his demeanor when speaking to Mr. Carlton which is in direct opposition to the demeanor and physical positioning of Mr. Carlton. He is laid back in his chair comfortable and drinking a cup of lemonade his granddaughter brought out for both of the men. Mr. Carlton goes on to say he is there for Jim and if he ever needed anything, as long as he is alive, Jim should let him know. He speaks to Jim in the way of an Uncle. He is very familiar and comfortable. I do notice that Jim never takes a sip of the lemonade he was given.
Presenting the undertones that are present and displayed very well in the movie, and in the real-life caution of many Black people as we have learned to navigate our society. Despite the verbal pleasantries, Jim is still uncomfortable. Then Mr. Carton’s granddaughter asks for his help to move some furniture. Now, you should never assume just by looking at someone, what their physical capabilities are, or are not. But by this point in the movie, we know Jim is strong and accomplished in his field and is perfectly capable of assisting with moving furniture. Yet, when he offers to assist Mr. Carlton who has been doling out compliments this whole time, Jim is left on the porch staring through the doorway into the house after Mr. Carlton responds to Jim’s offer. Mr. Carlton tells Jim, “That’s so considerate of you Jimmy, but you know we don't allow niggers in the house.”
The cognitive dissonance of Mr. Carlton that allowed him to praise Jim and offered him help if he ever needed anything, was the same man, seconds later, halting Jim from entering his home when he could use the help due to Mr. Carlton’s perception of what he saw when he thought of Jim’s race. Foreshadowing something that will happen later in the movie with a conversation that Jim brings up when he speaking to Malcolm X. Jim and Malcolm X are speaking and Jim brought to light that no one should get a prize, for not kicking the dog that day. The dog should be kicked, period. The notion of white supremacy - the thought that someone is doing a service to Black people by treating them like people. While harboring hatred, funding broken systems, and creating and upholding barriers to uplift people of color and halt healthy collaboration.
Cassius Clay, more sharply confidently, than a crisp cut hairline
He is hilarious in this movie. And, loves himself fiercely. Before the big fight, Cassius Clay was speaking to his coach Angie while training at the pool. Angie said that the white investors that support cash and his training were really upset and giving Angie a lot of grief. When Cassius Clay questioned this Angie said, ‘They only know what they see on TV.” He was referring to the association of Cassius Clay and Malcolm X. Often, many sit to be spoon-fed information. Critically thinking, validating the source we are receiving our information from, intently listening to opposing views, and seeking to understand nuance and impact are not processes that are often honored and respected on a larger scale.
When many fail to fact check, see what the data is really saying, understand how, when and by who the data was collected, we miss the untold stories, and unfortunately often miss the point.
Religion ≤ ≥ Gang
The young man who was guarding the door with a more seasoned Muslim brother, found a moment to come into the room and grab some autographs from the distinguished men. As Cassius Clay weighed his decision to join the Brotherhood, he asked the young man if he enjoyed being a Muslim. The young man responded zealously that he wished he would have joined earlier because of a situation with a former bully.
Jim told him, “You don’t need religion for that kid, you can just join a gang.” The young man replied, “What’s the damn difference?” When one is looking for refuge, asylum can be comforting. For some, religion can feel like family, desiring to be saved, wanting to feel a sense of connectedness. The legalism part of religion can look as prescriptive as the rules and loyalty expectations of a gang. As we all have our own beliefs, I thought this part of the movie a great prompt for us to ask this question in our own lives. What’s the difference? Between preference and bias, right and wrong.
Song of freedom, in a slightly different octive
From the desire to have the more plush hotel room to his luxury rides, Sam Cooke knows what he likes. He sang songs to crowds that Malcolm X felt he shouldn’t. Malcolm X is passionate and strong in his convictions. The tension, respect, love, and frustration between these two characters is constructive and absolutely beautiful to see. Malcolm X told Sam Cooke that he was a wind-up toy in a music box, the imagery was really strong. It was also extremely hurtful to Sam Cooke because he felt like he was also fighting the same fight against racism and upward mobility for Black people, but fighting it in a different way.
Sam Cooke broke down the royalties he received from his music being sung by white performers. He spoke of the initial hurt and the payday he received from the music. He spoke of being able to have his own label and pay his artists well from it. Malcolm X wanted Sam Cooke to use his voice and accomplishments to do and be more for the struggle of Black people. This was a constructive conversation these men were having. I enjoyed seeing these four men so vulnerable with each other in such a loving atmosphere in this dump of a room, it was healing and I loved it.
The transparency was beautiful to me. Later that night Cassius Clay and Sam Cooke have a conversation on the freedom that comes with Economic wealth and power. Cassius Clay spoke of how important it is to have the safety and power to be yourself. To have freedom, true freedom to exist without fear, penalty or tax on your personhood. When I decided to do this piece, it was important to me to hear the perspective and reflections of a Black man regarding this film. Community Organizer/Racial Equity & Political Strategist Ja Keen Fox shared his comments and reflections with me on the impact of the movie from his lens. Read his sentiments below:
"‘One Night In Miami’ felt like a love letter to the Black community, but specifically to today's Black activists. What stood out most to me is that these four Black men, all titans in their own fields, understood the importance - the power of storytelling, and how storytelling can take many forms. During the summer of 2020 we, the Justice for James movement, taught again and again that you can be exactly who you want to be in movement work. We taught that the skills you are passionate about are inherently the best weapons to use to create a new world. It was a beautiful affirmation to watch this film and see all of them, but specifically, Malcolm X and Sam Cooke negotiate this idea with nuance and depth.
Ja Keen Fox
We saw how they navigated this tension with care as well as viciously, because of their love for their own work and their love for community. We saw Malcolm and Sam diametrically opposed on what tactics to use, but never losing sight of their north star which was liberation and unapologetic Blackness. We saw Malcolm's radical approach to storytelling convict Sam's "behind the scenes" mentality and how that birthed one of the most important protest songs ever written. We saw.
The inherent respect Sam Cook, Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, and Jim Brown had for each unique story allowed them to see each other as peers in the movement and demonstrated the reality that we are all so necessary to reach a Black community with ideas as diverse as its skin tones and hairstyles.
If the audience takes nothing else away from this film it should be that honoring ourselves as Black people is liberation in action. Liberation, being both individual and collective, fluid with a concrete goal, is achieved through one night in a little Black hotel, telling the soft and hard truths to each other first."
Personal Power
At the end of the night, the men have had some intense, challenging, and intimate conversations. We as viewers of the film have had the opportunity to feel what each of these characters are feeling. Understanding more and more about their convictions, perspectives, and the honor in each of their gifts. As Jim Brown went on to pursue a career in acting, Cassius Clay officially became Muhammud Ali and a member of the brotherhood, Sam Cooke went on to write and perform his hit, “A Change Is Gonna Come,” Malcolm X went to start his own organization that more closely fit with ideals of his faith. Each of them were able to stand in their power, hold space for one another, while using their talents and gifts, to impact the world forever.
In your sphere of influence, in your area of expertise, what impact are you leaving? What advice are you lending? What are you doing with your gifts, talents, and abilities to create your reality? In the time of this pandemic, we have lost some great people. We have had the opportunity to gain some insights and perspectives. We have had the invitation to look at our actions and decisions and think of how they impact ourselves and others. If we are constantly waiting for tomorrow or waiting for someone else to do something, we miss the action in the present moment. Stand in your power and authority.