“My God, what kind of people are you?”

I’ve never read John Ball’s novel in the Heat of the Night. But, I’ve watched the movie of the same title that was based on Ball’s book. Stirling Silliphant wrote the screenplay for the movie.

Recently, I opted to watch the movie again. I’m 71, and I chose not to put myself through the anguish of watching the Carolina and Duke basketball game.

This powerful movie has many memorable scenes. But I find myself coming back to the intense confrontation between Sparta, Mississippi’s police chief, Bill Gillespie, portrayed by Rod Steiger, and Virgil Tibbs, a homicide detective from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who is played by Sidney Poitier.

With the foyer of the police station as its backdrop, Detective Tibbs doubts that Chief Gillespie and his officers have the right suspect in custody for the murder of Phillip Colbert. Mr. Colbert and his wife are in Sparta to build a new factory.

In this fierce encounter, where Chief Gillespie’s investigative skills are questioned by Detective Tibbs, Chief Gillespie explodes. The chief asks in a derogatory and insulting manner what people call Virgil in Philadelphia.

The detective with fiery, controlled composure replies, “They call me Mr. Tibbs.”

While those five words might live famously in the minds of movie watchers, I’m more drawn to the words from Mr. Colbert’s wife who has observed this difficult conversation.

Mrs. Colbert asks: “My God, what kind of people are you? What kind of place is this?”

I wonder what was rolling through screenwriter Silliphant’s mind when he wrote those two questions? Were his questions aimed beyond Sparta, Mississippi?

Over the last few days, I have watched that scene several times. As an imperfect American, those two questions keep spinning inside me. I ask myself: What kind of people are we Americans? What kind of place is America becoming?

Despite whatever greatness we might claim, and whether we are willing to admit it or not, America like its shorelines has been slowly eroding for many years.

That erosion can be found in our current political division, misguided political power, disrespect for public servants, inability to solve decades of generational needs related to human infrastructure, a propensity to use firearms to solve personal problems, and even incivility in our houses of worship.

On the evening of Thursday, February 6, my wife and I watched a presentation and interview with Dr. Richard Haass. This was offered through the University of Richmond.

Dr. Haass is an American diplomat who has served both Republican and Democratic presidents. His latest book,The Bill of Obligations: The Ten Habits of Good Citizens, was the focus of the hour.

Kirkus Reviews said this about the book:
“It’s an idea as old as Rousseau: With rights come responsibilities toward the social contract. To this, Haass adds the admonition that “American democracy will work and reform will prove possible only if obligations join rights at center stage.”

At the core, Haass’ obligations are: “be informed, get involved, stay open to compromise, remain civil, reject violence, value norms, promote the common good, respect government service, support the teaching of civics, and put country first.”

I don’t disagree with Haass’ obligations. However, any consideration for applying the obligations to our current environment will require Americans to shift from our selfish and less than humble tendencies.

On Saturday, February 8, my wife and I were in North Carolina to attend a funeral.
Early that morning, I rode with our daughter and her son to his basketball game. The old, small gymnasium still featured the unmistakeable sound of a basketball bouncing on a real hardwood floor.

Both teams were first graders comprised of girls and boys. The teams were ethnically diverse. The coaches were good teachers of the game. No matter the player’s set of skills, they ensured that everyone played. As for the referees, two knowledgeable women effectively managed the game.

I enjoyed every minute of this contest. Internally, I was framing screenwriter Silliphant’s questions in a different way: How did the league develop a caring, educational, friendly, and inclusive environment for the players and their families. What motivated league leaders to create such a place?

While I have no proof of this, I sense the league’s leaders understand the value of committing to obligations similar to the ones named by Dr. Haass.

In the 58 years since the release of the movie In The Heat of the Night, both good and bad have impacted America. To stop our erosion and stabilize the compass for our future, we are obligated to ask and answer Silliphant’s tough questions.

If we fail to urgently ask and respond, we will lose the hope I saw on Saturday morning on a basketball court in Stokesdale, North Carolina.