About The Help— which I just watched tonight at my mom’s urging!— I feel like this is another film that’s more useful in quelling the conscience of white America than in challenging racism. There is no question that Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer are excellent actresses. But, as evidenced in past interviews, they knew that their options had been limited in Hollywood, even in 2012. And the same racist, classist oppression is perpetuated against domestic workers, even in 2012. This clip from Melissa Harris-Perry’s show hits the nail on the head in identifying the problematic elements of The Help, and sheds light on the movements that still exist to challenge these ever-present problems.