America; Imagine the World Without Her (D’Souza/Sullivan, 2014): USA

Reviewed by Kathleen Amboy.  Viewed at Plaza De Oro Twin, Santa Barbara, CA.

  Imagine if George Washington had been taken out by a sniper during the Revolutionary War, or if Hitler had got ahold of the Atomic Bomb before us – a much more frightening outcome in history might have prevailed.  The consequences of this vision would mean that America might very well have become a territory of Great Britain, and Hitler most definitely would have succeeded in his dream to rule the world.

We however, gained liberty from the Crown, and also got ahold of the bomb first, bringing an end to WWII, but not before giving the Japanese government plenty of time to surrender.  Our nation also set about rebuilding both Germany and Japan, just after the war’s end, and at our taxpayer’s expense no less – what other country does that?

Filmmaker and New York Times bestseller Dinesh D’Souza, sets the record straight as to the truth and consequences of the American dream.  By pointing out the misconceptions perpetuated by many in higher education and the media, D’Souza sets about to dispel the indictments against our country, and offers a more hopeful mindset.

Among the many indictments, such as genocide, land grabbing, and resource theft, perhaps the most currently pervasive is the issue of slavery.  Though acrimony exists today amongst many of our fellow brethren, no other country has ever fought “brother against brother”, in such a bloody Civil War as ours, in order to end the wretched institution.  Though slavery has been a practice in many cultures, such as in Africa, Egypt and China, we miraculously continue to move forward to protect our rights, and have much to be thankful for.

Interestingly enough, there were quite a few black slave masters in our country, dating all the way back to the 1600’s, many of whom were notorious slave breeders.  One such slave owner was William Ellison, a cotton gin maker who owned over 60 slaves, and supported the Confederacy – this is the downside of America.

The upside of America are the high-achievers such as Madame C. J. Walker.  Long before Oprah, Madame C. J. Walker was the first in her family to be born after the Emancipation Proclamation.  And although born into poverty, she is recognized as the first female, self-made millionaire.  A mother at 14 and a widow by 20, she began working as a cleaning lady in her brothers’ barber shop.  She saved every penny and learned a great deal about hair care, ultimately developing her own product line.  After learning marketing skills and how to run a company, she then taught other women how to sell and be successful in life.  The most important of her attributes was philanthropy, and teaching others how to give back.  Did I mention she was a black American, and this was the early 1900’s?  Women weren’t allowed to vote until 1920.

Cutting back and forth between reenactments and archival footage, America also exposes the leftist propaganda of Saul Alinsky and his cunning “community organizational skills,” which include tactics such as inflaming, manipulating and causing division between the Haves and the Have-Nots.  Two of his devout followers are heavy-hitters in our current administration.  Many of Alinsky’s thug-like skills were proudly acquired by hanging out with Frank Nitti, Al Capone’s #2 man, explained from Alinsky’s own voice-over.

There are interesting political commentaries as well, by Constitutional lawyer Alan Dershowitz, U2’s Bono, Star Parker and many others.  The film also provides an uplifting effect on the viewer, rather than a hopeless one, by reminding us of the traits so common to most Americans, such as generosity, independence, and fortitude.

Producer Gerald R. Molen also produced Rain Man (1988), Schindler’s List (1993), and Jurassic Park (1993), to name just a few of his hits, and you must sit through all of the credits in order to hear an updated rendition of The Star Spangled Banner by Madison Rising.

 

 

 

 

 

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Published:
07.21.14 / 10pm
Category:
Documentary, Films