My Name Is Pauli Murray

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My Name Is Pauli Murray
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that My Name Is Pauli Murray is an informative documentary detailing the extraordinary life of civil rights activist, feminist, and Episcopalian priest Pauli Murray. Featuring interviews with an extremely diverse range of people, the film showcases how Murray's legal precedents set the tone for future civil rights wins for America's minority populations and successfully shows why Murray should be considered a role model for future generations. Expect mild swearing ("badass," "damn," etc.), racist slurs ("boy," etc.), and both images and descriptions of intense racial violence (massacres, riots, cross burnings, and lynchings). There are also descriptions of gender dysmorphia.
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What's the Story?
MY NAME IS PAULI MURRAY is an informative look at the life of Pauli Murray, who had a storied career as an activist for civil rights and women's rights. Murray persevered amid racism, sexism, and ignorance regarding LGBTQ+ identities to establish legal arguments that set the tone for some of the United States' biggest legal advances. In the film, current activists, lawyers, and advocates, as well as Murray's niece, Patricia Bell-Scott, discuss Murray's legacy.
Is It Any Good?
This is a good but somewhat dry documentary about a little-known civil rights figure who shaped national law pertaining to gender and race. Murray's legal theories acted as the major arguments for the Brown v. Board of Education case and modern women's rights. And Murray is a tremendous role model for Black and LGBTQ+ children, showing that it's possible to thrive despite the barriers society might stack against you. Indeed, Murray shows that people can break those barriers and shape a fairer society just by being themselves.
The informative interviews gathered for My Name Is Pauli Murray are supported by Murray's own words. Murray had the foresight to record their autobiography for posterity. That record, plus information gleaned from Murray's writings about their life and letters they sent to various people -- including their friend Eleanor Roosevelt -- helps build a picture of a person who dared America to live up to its ideals as they faced their own personal struggles. Their struggle with gender identity, for instance. The film presents in clear focus Murray's possible identification as trans, nonbinary, or gender nonconforming (hence the use of "they/them" pronouns for this review, keeping in line with what trans activist Raquel Willis discussed during the documentary). Given the lack of scientific knowledge about trans identity during the early to mid-20th century, Murray's accomplishments are even more inspiring. Overall, My Name Is Pauli Murray teaches audiences about a civil rights activist that we should know more about, helping to round out historical records about the person who provided the groundwork for some of the most transformative pieces of legislation in modern times.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how My Name Is Pauli Murray depicts Pauli Murray's early life. How did it lead them toward a life of civil rights activism?
How did Murray's struggle with gender and sexuality affect them? How did they persevere? How did their experiences with racism intersect with their experience with sexism?
How did Murray's legal work help change American society?
Movie Details
- In theaters: September 17, 2021
- On DVD or streaming: October 1, 2021
- Cast: Patricia Bell-Scott, Pauli Murray, Ruth Bader Ginsburg
- Directors: Judy Cohen, Betsy West, Ruth Bader Ginsburg
- Studio: Amazon Studios
- Genre: Documentary
- Topics: Activism
- Character Strengths: Courage, Perseverance
- Run time: 91 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: disturbing/violent images and thematic elements
- Last updated: February 28, 2022
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