An Analysis of the Film Selma: The Role of Citizenship in Advocating for Human Rights and Promoting Equality through Social Movements

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the role of citizens in demanding human rights and promoting equality through social movements, using the film Selma as a case study to examine the dynamics of power, civic participation, and struggles for civil rights in a democratic society. The film portrays the 1965 voting rights march of African Americans in the United States under the leadership of Martin Luther King Jr., a critical turning point in the history of human rights movements.

This study employs a qualitative research approach, combining textual analysis of the film with a review of relevant academic literature. The analysis is grounded in human rights theory and social movement theory to explain the role of citizens, nonviolent protest, collective action, and mass mobilization in pressuring political and institutional change.

The findings reveal that Selma highlights voting rights as a fundamental democratic right while exposing racial inequality and state violence used to suppress civic movements. At the same time, the film emphasizes the power of nonviolent resistance and the significance of citizen participation in driving social transformation. These themes demonstrate that the struggle for human rights depicted in Selma remains highly relevant for understanding contemporary social movements and ongoing demands for equality in today’s world.