The movie The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson tells a story of widely known activists for the rights of the LGBT+ community who sacrificed her life for the changes in the status quo. As the plot unfolds, the audience can take a closer look at the personality, stance, values, beliefs, and attitudes of Marsha Johnson, who was one of the historical figures that contributed to the Gay Liberation Movement. Her life was rife with difficulties and social injustice that led to the marginalization of the people who did not define themselves as cisgender or cissexual. Although decades have passed from the day of her tragic death, the story of Johnson is relevant as never before.
The documentary attempts to shed light on some of the most nuanced and complex life circumstances that shaped the personality of Marsha. Trans activist Victoria Cruz conducts an investigation on the details of Marsha’s death that was defined by law enforcement as suicide (France). Taking into consideration the evidence and opinions of those who were close to Johnson, Cruz tries to uncover the truth that may stand behind this tragic event. After watching this movie, I realized that discrimination, police brutality, and violation of fundamental human rights against transgender of color is a deeply embedded vice of the American society. The criminal justice system and media were biased against the minorities’ representatives and neglected their freedom of choice and self-identification.
Stories of CeCe and Johnson demonstrate that social institutions prosper on the discrimination and prejudices of people who do not abide by Western culture’s standards. They indicate that the situation requires a reappraisal of an entire worldview with decisive and thorough changes in the status quo that would not allow crime and violence to ruin human lives. The criminal justice system and media are hostile to the free and lawful citizens of the country who associate themselves outside of the standardized conventional limits of gender, sex, and race.
Hello Tiffany,
Thank you for sharing your feedback. I also watched the documentary “The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson”. It was heartbreaking. To see someone discriminated for their race and sexual orientation. People’s perception of others should fit their category and if they don’t it makes them feel uncomfortable.