Lately, I’ve seen and read a lot of the rehashed comments about the underlying racism in the movie “Hoosiers”. I think it’s an interesting discussion, and wanted to perhaps shed some light on it.
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I’ve heard such commentary about the movie for years. Certainly, the assocation to 1950s Indiana and racism is valid. Indianapis was still a socially segregated city at that time, with african american students attending Crispus Attucks High School on the city’s near west side.
In 1955, Crispus Attucks became the 1st basketball state champion from an Indianapolis school, and in 1956 the 1st unbeaten champ. As a young boy, I recall asking my Dad what he recalled of my Grandfathers reaction to the Attucks’ win. (My Dad was 14 in 1955). I vividly recall
being almost nervous at what the answer could be. My Dad didnt hesitate “Your Grandpa had all of us kids banging pots and pans in the street. He was so happy to see an Indianapolis school win.” Now, one can certainly say it’s a shame it took athletics to create equal treatmemt
for those players. It’s a fair point. Additionally, much has been made about Attucks not being paraded around Monument Circle after theor win, as was afforded Milan in their route home in 1954. There are varying accounts to the reasoning, and race is absolutely a legitimate
reason to assume some counts may be accurate. But, as for Milan, who defeated Attucks en route to their 1954 title, their story is the basis for the movie “Hoosiers”. Was fictional Hickory an all white team? Yes. But, so, too, was Milan. Were the towns of Oolitoc, Terhune & the
other teams in “Hoosiers” all white? Yes. But, so, too were the schools Milan played before advancing through the state tournament. In the movie, the first team of a mixed roster that Milan faced was fictional South Bend Central. In reality, Milan faced Indiana powerhouse Muncie
Central in the ‘54 Finals. Muncie Central won 8 single class titles in Indiana, the most in state history. In the movie, SB Central features 3 african american players amongst their core unit, which is historically accurate with the Muncie Central team (pictured). The most
glaring inaccuracy is in the portrayal of the head coach. In the movie, SV Central is coached by an african american man. That “actor” is Ray Crowe, who was casted by Angelo Pizzo in honor of Crowe having coached the historic ‘55 & ‘56 Attucks teams. In the “glory days” of the
Indiana High School tournament, it was customary for a team, as it advanced, to become represenative, not only of its own town, but of the schools they eliminated along the way. For that reason, Milan had support from many of the schools tbroughout SE Indiana, and..from tge fans
of Indianapolis Attucks, whom it defteated in the 1954 Hinkle Semi State. It is true that Indiana had embarrasingly archaic and inexcusable racial divide in the 1950s, many of which sadly exist today. Attucks faced multiple injustices and racial bias in their journey to greatness
and did so representing one of the finest schools in the state, taught by doctorates unable to teach at the collegiate level. It is my opinion, however, that the movie “Hoosiers” in no way, shape or form intentionally illustrated racism, aside from the historical accuracy of
the races involved. In fact, when the movie was realeased, it was largely seen and apprecited in Indiana as a celebration of Indiana’s hoops heritage, which includes a TREMENDOUS pride in the Attucks story. Now- having said all of that, the movie is fricking older than the
story it was telling at the time of its release, and if I was not from here, I’d find the ubiquitous references to it damn near perverse. Hang up the cheesy jerseys. It’s been 34 years. Time to move on.
-Fini
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