Free Essay Sample: Welcome to Leith

This is a disconcerting Film, what struck you as the central theme of the film?

Welcome to Leith is a horrific and disturbing film yet, at the same time, a thought-provoking film. The film addresses many themes, but the most prominent issue is Racial Extremism. Craig Cobb is the leader of an extremist group that is working on a hostile takeover of Leith. It is not wrong to stand for one's beliefs and defend their roots, and everyone deserves to belong. However, this is not what Craig and his group are doing; it is a group guided by hate; their ideologies focus on dehumanizing their enemies; the group has hate-based objectives. The events in this film are a chilling portrayal of a society that is helplessly under siege.

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What do you think about the directors allowing the various characters in the film to have as much space as they did to tell their sides of the story? Do you think it makes for a more or less powerful documentary to allow equal coverage of both sides of the debate?

The most puzzling thing about the film is how the directors do not create it to side with anyone. As much as Craig and his team are villains in this chilling documentary, they are treated fairly in the film, like other members of the community of Leith. The film makes give the characters enough time to tell their side of the narrative. By giving each character the chance to speak, the directors were able to develop this film into a compelling documentary. It narrates the horrors that the victims have to go through at the hands of these supremacist groups. It is a well-structured and observed documentary with both sides getting equal opportunities in the interviews.

What are some of the motivating factors behind intolerance and hate? What are some of the motivating factors behind tolerance and inclusion? Which do you think is more of a guiding force in your life?

For an individual to be intolerant and hateful, there have to be several factors that cause this. People are not naturally wired to hate others because of their difference in race or gender, hate and intolerance may stem from social influence and contact with groups such as white supremacists. Additionally, it could be motivated by stereotypes, where people have a generalized negative opinion about a particular group of people. However, there is a possibility of tolerance and inclusion in society, and this can be motivated by humanity, where people do not look at others and focus on their difference in race or anything else but rather as fellow human beings. When everyone is a firm believer in equality and love for all, then there can be inclusion and tolerance for all regardless of color or opinion. I believe intolerance and inclusion, and I think that every individual deserves to belong and that we're all humans deserving the same rights and opportunities.

Discuss the connection between militarism and extremism. Why do you think physical violence and warfare are such a part of extremist movements?

Members of extremist movements have convinced themselves that they are the victims and as a result, the harbor feelings of inferiority. To confront their feelings of victimhood, they adopt militaristic Ideals to enable them to feel superior and in power over other people. Militarism in the Extremist movement gives them a sense of invincibility. However, adopting the militaristic ideals does not revive them from the victim mentality or empower them, and as they realize their extremist instincts push them into becoming violent just to exert and make their power felt.

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or the press or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." Do you think the white supremacists in the film invoke their Frist Amendment rights in an appropriate way when they set out to spread a campaign of hate and to actively encourage violence against non-whites?

As a country that prides itself as the land of freedom and inclusion, welcome to Leith brings into perspective some disconcerting questions such as; what can be done when people push freedom to its very end? The first amendment is a law that, for a very long time, has been used by white supremacists and other extremist groups to perpetuate unjust acts against the people of America. Craig Cobb and his supporters in this documentary hide behind the first amendment to promote hatred, intolerance, and commit acts of injustice against the people of Leith.

How did this Film Challenge your ideas about tolerance?

The film, welcome to Leith, is an Upsetting documentary that chronicles the chilling takeover of the small town. However, it challenges everyone on their ideals of tolerance. I was challenged to understand that tolerance does not just end with race. Understanding covers a broad spectrum of humanity, and we have to learn to live with, accept and love every single person regardless of gender, race, social and cultural backgrounds, sexuality, and every little thing that makes everyone unique in their ways.

Works Cited

Welcome to Leith: Directed by Micheal B. Nichols & Walkers K. Christopher. Sundial Pictures. Released in 2015. Retrieved from: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/welcome-to-leith