George Washington Carver made a difference in the world around him. The famed scientist earned a reputation for being the “peanut man,” because of the significant contributions he made to the enhancement of the crop, but this was just the tip of the iceberg. His life was filled with great accomplishments that made the world a better place. I’t s about time for a biopic on the life of George Washington Carver.
What Carver accomplished
His life path was dotted with new ventures and learning that he shared with people from all walks of life. Giving back to the community doesn’t come close to describing how George made the world a better place. At a young age, he earned the distinction of being recognized as the “plant doctor.” His interest in nature led him to discoveries about how to nurture ailing plants to a thriving full life. He made great advances in the fields of botany and agriculture which laid a foundation for the sciences in use today.
Political savvy
Carver was a talented researcher and his work wasn’t limited to peanuts. He applied his passion to sweet potatoes, seeds and clays as well. His peanut association was earned when he addressed Congress to recommend a tariff on peanuts in 1921, and to educate congressmen about the commodity. Racism was an obstacle that made his initial appeal to the group difficult. It was not well received at first, but in the end, he won them over and proceeded to discus other commodities such as cheese, milk, dyes and flour. By the end, the committee extended an open door to take all the time he wanted.
The stuff that great films are made of
Carver believed that peanuts could be used to fight polio by helping them regain some of the function they lost. His peanut oil massage treatments in the 1930s were revolutionary for the time. Even President Roosevelt used the treatment. The world needs to know more about this great man who turned down a six figure job offer with Thomas Edison because money wasn’t important to him. They also need to understand why the man dressed shabbily most of the time. He didn’t care about things, but he did care about people. His story is deeply touching and even more than his scientific contributions, his humanitarian approach is the larger piece of his stor
y that absolutely must be told. The brilliant product inventions, his work with the agricultural department of the Tuskegee Institute and his interactions with both poor people and world leaders is another part of the story that needs to be shared. When asked why he devoted his life to helping others, Carter simply stated, “Well, some day I will have to leave this world. And when that day comes, I want to feel that my life has been of some service to my fellow man.”
Choosing the right director and actor
Our first choice for the role of Carver would be actor Keith Henley. In fact, Henley has already portrayed George Washington Carver in a live broadcast of “On The Gist of Freedom!” Keith would do well in a film that would be narrated by Morgan Freeman, pointing out important details as the chapters unfold. Freeman could step in as the older version of Carver, just prior to his death in 1943 to bring the narration to a neat and tidy close.
Denzel Washington has two votes for his ability to play meaningful character roles as well as direct a film that is high on emotional content. He has the insight to direct the cast in not only telling a story, but in making the audience see the multiple facets of the character. Denzel is amazing at opening up stories within stories as a professional and greatly talented actor. Carver’s memory deserves nothing less than the creative genius of such a director to unfold the beautiful aspects of who he was and what he has done for his fellow man. There is great potential for such a film to become a masterpiece, so isn’t it about time to start the ball rolling?
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