In the faith-based film "Woodlawn" directed by the Erwin brothers, newcomer Caleb Castille portrays football player Tony Nathan from Woodlawn High School in Birmingham, California, who went against the government-imposed desegregation measure in the 70s as he played the sport he loved best.
Nathan was welcomed into the high school football team, thanks to his Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, who dared the other players who had issues with colour to go ahead and leave the team. Castille said Bryant's move was pretty amazing.
Nathan said the use of sports to open people's minds and bring them closer together was something special. "I think that it is pretty cool that sports can break down those racial barriers in ways that certain things cannot," he told Breathe Cast.
The actor believes that the movie would be "good medicine" for people today especially since America is still being hounded by racial tension.
"You look at how history repeats itself and I think that you can look at this film and see the things that were used to overcome that hate and apply it to what we're facing today. If it worked then, it can work now," he said.
Castille said people need to be more courageous concerning their faith, because the only way people can battle political correctness is by "living by example and then using your voice."
"I think that you can be bold about your faith without slapping people in the face with it. I don't think anybody wants to be beat over the head with religion. Young people shouldn't be ashamed of the Gospel, of their relationship with the Lord," he said.
Christians should not be afraid to voice their opinion and live by example because "I believe the first thing non-believers want to do is throw stones at Christians who don't live the way that they think they should," he continued. "It's not like Christians are perfect people but then again through the power of the Holy Spirit we're supposed to be able to overcome all things and do things, and live in a certain way that is honourable and pleasing to God."
