Review of the Play “Thurgood” with Theological Implications

I had the privilege of going to see the one-man play “Thurgood” starring Laurence Fishburne and written by George Stevens Jr. I had admired George Steven Jr. biographical film of his father entitled: “George Stevens, Film Maker’s Journey”. George Stevens (Sr.) films are favorites of mine; however, I had my doubts about his son as a writer because children do not always live up to the fame of their parents, i.e., Frank Sinatra Jr. So, I came to the play with some doubts about how good it could be. “Oh, me of little faith”. I was wrong, and for ninety minutes I was mesmerized by Fishburne’s portrayal of this giant of civil rights history. Anyone who is a lawyer ought to see this play because you would find it not only inspiring, but a renewing experience.

The play moves through the history of Thurgood Marshall who was on the Supreme Court for over twenty years. It has lots of humor, psychological depth, and is dramatically portrayed with such ease that you forget you are watching Laurence Fishburne and think you are actually seeing Thurgood Marshall. It is a miracle to be able to talk for ninety minutes and make it interesting and moving. He wrung out all the emotions in me, from anger to laughter to tears.

What I found to be important about this play was that it approached the civil rights issue and the racial divide in our country from a different perspective. Usually we think of inequality, racism and, linked with that, civil disobedience. For example, just recently here in New York, if you looked to find Al Sharpton he would generally be leading a media circus in an attempt to remove Don Imus from the radio (regardless of any apology) or leading a demonstration against a court decision. “Thurgood”, the play, talks about an individual who is dedicated and committed with a firm faith in the law of this land. He was dedicated to using the law as a way to bring justice to this country, and while justice may come slowly, when it does come, it is victorious.

This play brings out how little America knows about Thurgood Marshall and his early career as a civil rights lawyer who argued Brown vs. the Board of Education in 1954. It talks of racism in the military, with people like Gen. Douglas MacArthur denying it and defending the all-white military band. Marshall points out in a humorous line, “Don’t tell me you can’t find a Negro who can blow a horn”. You also get an interesting look at President Lyndon B. Johnson, who appointed Marshall to the Supreme Court, as the gifted politician who was able to convince enough senators, one by one, to confirm Marshall.

In the end, this is a history lesson that jogged my mind in a new direction, giving me not only a great admiration for Thurgood Marshall, but an immense appreciation for the law of our country. It also pushed me to think about documents and precepts that one’s own life could be dedicated towards from a faith perspective. For example, Marshall ended up not only using the law but loving the law. Perhaps what may be missing in our life and lifestyle as Christians is a deeper appreciation for scripture and even for such things as the Ten Commandments or the creeds of our Church. In most cases there is in ignorance that hovers like a cloud over many in our congregation who rarely open the Bible or even know what is foundational to our faith. For Marshall the law was not a dusty volume of torts on the wall – and wouldn’t it be great if the Bible were opened by us with a searching, questioning and appreciative mind?

During the play Marshall, arguing the law, says in exasperation, “I am sick of saving the white man’s soul.” All of our souls could use a little saving. Marshall found salvation in the law. Those of us of faith perhaps need to look to the good news found in our Bibles.