In America, having freedom is easy because the constitution guarantees citizens the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. However, freedom was not granted to African Americans, whose ancestors fought for centuries to achieve it. Some of our ancestors who enjoyed freedom in the United States in the 1840s were kidnapped and enslaved. Based on the true story of the life of a once-free black man who was enslaved for 12 years, tells the story of a free black man who fights for survival and freedom while enslaved. In the movie, the main character Solomon Northup, his life was taken away instantly and he changed his mind from free to slave. While transforming his mind into a slave, but never forgetting his identity, he exemplifies the qualities that every medical professional should possess. These qualities being courage and determination. Watching the movie, 12 Years a Slave, for the first time, my first reaction was that I didn't want to watch the movie because it would bring back revelations about what my ancestors endured to gain freedom. . However, watching the film showed how much my generation does not value their freedom in today's society. This film was not at all ordinary, it was exceptional. This was exceptional because it allows people to appreciate what they take for granted on a daily basis, namely freedom. Solomon Northup's story also, humble individuals because people will internalize what it means to be a person and forget the color of individuals. Solomon Northup's fight for freedom showed his fight to live. Clemens Ray, one of the first people Solomon interacted with as a slave, said, “Survival is not about serving death, it is about keeping your head down.” Mr. Northup remained true to this saying while during his 12 years of slavery... middle of paper ... nearly being hanged. Closing Your Eyes showed how important it is for the human race to stop closing this eye and stand up for another. These scenes that take place in the film show the belief in the human race and the creation of change. The film, 12 Years a Slave, showed one of the key aspects of service learning, which is learning about your own power. Movies are powerful ways to see what's happening in the world. This film in particular made me think about how African Americans are slowly becoming enslaved again, due to the high rate of African American prisoners. The film wanted viewers to understand that it is not about understanding a particular subject, but rather about how a person can internalize what it means to be human, in order to understand human beings. The story of Solomon Northup showed that all it takes to believe in the human race is a little faith in the human race...