LIVE, LEARN, & LOVE SERIES #72. Remastered: The Two Killings of Sam Cookes (documentary film, 2019)

LIVE, LEARN, & LOVE

Do you take delight in watching films, listening to pop music, or reading books? For English learners, movies, songs, and books are one of the most wonderful sources to explore the language! You can indulge in your favorite pastime and still learn some expressions, words of wisdom, and oftentimes good lessons while you’re at it.

 

#72. Remastered: The Two Killings of Sam Cooke (documentary film, 2019)

This documentary explores the mysterious death of artist and activist Sam Cooke, a case that remains unresolved. In just 33 years, Cooke left a remarkable legacy as a pioneering soul musician, gifted songwriter, successful businessman, and passionate civil rights advocate. As the title suggests, the film explores not only Sam Cooke’s death but also the loss of what he could have become, especially as a civil rights leader. The filmmakers sought insights from people who knew him personally and from colleagues who worked closely with him.

 

“I’m a man, and I’m a black man, and as a black man, I have responsibility to go on this show and bring down whatever walls and whatever boundaries I can’t help dissipate by showing that I’m talented, I’m skilled, I can compete with the best of them. In fact, there was an audience within white America that was very interested in having me seen there.”

ð    This quote reveals Sam Cooke’s strong sense of responsibility as a groundbreaking Black artist. He tried to make the best use of his extraordinary talent and charisma to challenge racial barriers, break stereotypes, and demonstrate that Black artists could excel at the highest levels. Through his success, he helped create opportunities for future generations. Furthermore, Sam Cooke made exerted efforts to break down segregation in the entertainment industry, proving that Black artistry could compete with the very best, and embracing integration as a path toward social progress.  

 

                  

                  Malcolm X                        Sam Cooke & Muhammad Ali

“He certainly had hit a point in his career where he could’ve just been playing at the biggest night clubs in New York, in Los Angeles, in Chicago. It would have been easy for him not to go back to the South. But I think it was important for him to constantly keep that connection. For himself and for his audience. But to keep his fingers on what was happening in the Civil Rights movement which wasn’t happening the same way in the North or the West.”

ð     This quote underscores Sam Cooke’s dedication to the Civil Rights Movement and his choice to stay connected to the segregated South, even after achieving national fame. He was successful enough to perform exclusively in top venues across major cities, avoiding the hardships of touring the South. Yet he chose to return because he wanted to remain connected to working-class Black communities and the realities they faced.

His experiences in the South kept him closely tied to the heart of the civil rights struggle, where protests, boycotts, and voter registration efforts were taking place. Witnessing these injustices firsthand helped shape his social awareness and inspired him to write his powerful political anthem, “A Change Is Gonna Come”.

 

“Why is it Bob Dylan, this white artist, who is speaking to the masses about social change at the moment during the midst of the Civil Right Movement? Why aren’t we seeing black artists do that themselves?”

ð    We can imagine the difficult reality Sam Cooke faced as a Black artist in the 1960s. He realized that white musicians could openly sing about racial injustice and be praised for their socially righteous voice, while Black artists often risked losing commercial success if they spoke too directly about civil rights issues.

The situation left Cooke feeling both challenged and inspired. Although he had focused on creating broadly appealing music, he recognized that he had a unique responsibility to address the struggles of the Black community. This realization became a turning point in his career and helped inspire “A Change Is Gonna Come”, a powerful song that gave voice to the hopes and hardships of the Civil Rights Movement.

 

“When you see someone as prominent as Sam Cooke get killed like that under very mysterious circumstances and his life is not valuable enough to have a real investigation by local law enforcement there in Los Angeles, it’s not surprise that to this day, there are a lot of people who still believe that there were some sort of cover-up, some sort of conspiracy around the death of Sam Cooke. I mean, what else are we gonna think, particularly given our history in America, our relationships with law enforcement all over the country, and the fact that if you happen to be a black person who speaks out in any kind of way, who does anything that seems to be empowering for the Black community, you are automatically a target.”

ð     This quote tells us about the racism and lack of accountability surrounding Cooke’s death in 1964. The rapid ruling of “justifiable homicide” and the limited investigation raised questions that continue to fuel suspicions and debate today. Sam Cooke was more than a celebrated musician. As a successful businessman and outspoken advocate for civil rights, he challenged racial barriers and empowered the Black community. We could assume that individuals who achieve influence and challenge the status quo are often viewed as threats, making Cooke’s story about both personal tragedy and broader social injustice.

 

** Jean’s Small Thoughts:

Each time I hear about people being murdered because of racism, I feel a deep sense of sadness and helplessness. It is not surprising that many believe there is more to Sam Cooke’s suspicious death—and the untimely deaths of other influential Black leaders—than what has been publicly revealed.

This documentary captures both the spirit of Sam Cooke’s activism and the challenges Black artists faced in America. They were expected to entertain audiences while simultaneously fighting for equality, dignity, and basic human rights. Sadly, the unfair atmosphere due to racial discrimination in the field of entertainment had quietly continued, and many of these issues still remain relevant today. Sam Cooke, Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Jim Brown were more than public figures; they inspired and challenged one another, helping shape American culture and social progress. The film encourages us to reflect on what they might have accomplished had their lives not been cut short by those who fear the power. Their legacies remind us of both their remarkable contributions and the profound loss created by their absence.

It also leaves me wondering when racism—one of the most painful and enduring problems in American society—will finally come to an end, and when every citizen will truly embrace the nation's motto, E Pluribus Unum—"Out of many, one"—by recognizing our shared humanity despite our differences.