MovieChat Forums > J. Edgar (2011) Discussion > One question not answered?

One question not answered?

posted 12 years ago by Dave1136
8 replies | jump to latest

Why did he hate the blacks so much? In particular Martin Luther King? Did he really feel they were a danger to America or was that just a reason or an excuse for the hate?

[–] CoolHand67 12 years ago

Anything that was felt to be a threat to American stability.

I can eat 50 eggs.

[–] Dave1136 12 years ago

He was brilliant in one way and a very dangerous man in many other ways! His organization skills were unheard of at the beginning but his secret files and illegal bugging made him a criminal. He brought fear to the top government people who were afraid to go after him. He blackmailed Robert Kennedy about his brother the President.

[–] hitfan 12 years ago

J. Edgar was opposed to Martin Luther King's politics, so he wanted to destroy him. Conservative politics were a bit more 'racist', back in the day.

I assumed this while watching the film, but perhaps this could have been explained a bit more for a more modern and general audience.

[–] SVU14_1 12 years ago

I don't think he hated black people in general. I think he liked and would have preferred the "status quo". Martin Luther King, Jr was in Hoover's mind "causing trouble" by having rallies, and marches. Hoover thought he was a threat to national security, since his beliefs could incite social chaos.

[–] Dave1136 12 years ago

Thank You, I understand exactly what your saying but social chaos is needed when social injustice is the norm throughout the country.

[–] rexb-2 12 years ago

Maybe sometimes. But idealogically, Hoover could have no tolerance for such.

[–] franzkabuki 8 years ago

A threat to status quo, the rich old white folks such as himself.

"facts are stupid things" Ronald Reagan

[–] pioneergrrrl (2408) 4 years ago

think about when he grew up---also, DC was still racially segregated. So it was hard for him to admit that the country was changing and he neede to change too.

Yes he needed to promote the law and civil rights laws which were passed as part of his job and it increasingly put him at odds with the rest of the country, other parts of the justice department, the courts and even younger men (women were not admitted until after he died) who were coming into the bureau and who were comfortable with blacks both personally and professionally.

Hoover was gradually left behind with the times .