It's amazing how much has changed since 1967.
I was watching "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" Monday night on TCM, and couldn't believe the dialogue.
When John Wayde Prentice Jr., a black doctor portrayed by Sidney Poitier, introduces his white fiancée, Joanna "Joey" Drayton (Katharine Houghton) to his parents — John and Mary Prentice Sr. (Roy E. Glenn and Beah Richards, respectively) — they appear stunned.
"I can explain," John Wayde says — as if he must justify falling in love.
Throughout the film, viewers wonder whether they and Joey's father, newspaper publisher Matt Drayton (Spencer Tracy) will accept this coupling.
Despite leading a liberal household that touts racial equality— Matt refers to black housekeeper Matilda "Tillie" Binks (Isabel Sanford) as a member of the family — it's a different situation when he realizes the challenges his daughter and potential son-in-law would face in a prejudiced world.
However, Joey's mother, Christina Drayton (Katharine Hepburn), and Mary provide much of the film's moral compass, recognizing that this man and this woman found love, which is all that matters.
All the concern about interracial marriage may puzzle today's viewer. Sure, some interracial couples still get second glances, but this seems like a non-issue for most people.
Today's viewer also may be shocked when Matt asks his potential son-in-law about Joey's expectations for any children they may have.
"She feels that every single one of our children will be president of the United States; that they'll all have colorful administrations," John Wayde says. "Frankly, I think your daughter is a bit optimistic; I'd settle for secretary of state."
The likelihood of a black president, even in Hollywood, seemed remote, yet Joey was right. Whether you approve of his policies— that's another discussion all together — this country elected Barack Obama while he was in his 40s, the same age range that the Prentices' children would be, in 2008.
The strides this country's made toward racial equality are credited to brave men and women like the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks; they stood up — or sat down, in civil disobedience — for what's right in hopes of a better tomorrow. Some were beaten and bloodied; others gave their lives to change this country's thinking about something as simple — but, inexplicably, divisive — as skin color.
It's important to remember these trailblazers' sacrifice. A number of Crestview residents marched in peace on Saturday to do just that; others gathered for an MLK march on Monday in Fort Walton Beach and throughout other locations in Northwest Florida and the country.
That's a fitting action, particularly for the civil rights movement.
And it calls to mind another movie that will become a classic: "Selma."
What's your view? Write a letter to the editor or tweet News Bulletin Editor Thomas Boni.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: EDITOR’S DESK: Classic film offers black history lessons