MovieChat Forums > Jasper, Texas (2003) Discussion > What was James Byrd thinking?

What was James Byrd thinking?


Why the hell would Byrd accept a ride with three redneck white guys in a pick up truck at that time of night? Did he really think they would be friendly to him and take him to his destination, especially if they were intoxicated? Was he totally oblivious to the obvious racial tensions that seemed to be simmering around the town at the time? It just doesnt make sense why he would go in the car with them.

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At that time? you make it sound like it happened in the 1950's. this happened in 1998!!! that's like asking why did a woman who was raped wear revealing clothing? he did not deserve what happened to him at all. sometimes people want to believe the best in people. instead of the worse. the guy was expecting a ride. not to be beaten and dragged to death.

~I love the rhythm it is my methoood!~

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Of course he didnt deserve at all what happened. Im just saying, if I was in his shoes I would never take a ride with three drunk white redneck guys in a town with a racial climate. Same situation with a woman wearing revealing clothing at an all drunk male college party. She deserves no harm but if she gets raped you cant say you didnt expect it. Byrd was just too naive and probably thought nothing like that could never happen to him.

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Fair enough. but who's to say he wasn't forced into the car? it kind of changes my perception of the events.

~I love the rhythm it is my methoood!~

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He wasnt forced at all. He ran up to them and asked them for a ride. They never pushed him in the car. Unless you are referring to what actually happened rather than in the movie. Maybe in real life he was forced, but in this film he certainly wasnt.

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I haven't seen the film. it says that he was acquanted with Shawn Berry. my theory is that when you live in a small town where "everybody knows everybody" you feel safe. you don't make the best decisions because you feel safe. you in effect live in a bubble.

Now... would I get into a car with an acquantence? perhaps. it depends on if I got along with them or not. I am surmising that James felt safe enough to accept the ride. I don't feel he would've accepted it if he didn't feel safe.

What they did to him is horrifying. it was overkill and demented. I am assuming that what was in the film was watered down. they beat him with whatever was around. he was alive during all of this. they dragged him by his ankles until his body was mutilated and decapitated. they urinated on his dead body. that is just... there really are no words for it.

I have to read about these terrible things to realize they actually happen. so many things shouldn't be forgotten.

~I love the rhythm it is my methoood!~

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Maybe he knew the guys.

Its that man again!!

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He was drunk.

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