The Peanut Man (2024) Movie Script
I am here today not only as a
Negro scientist, but as someone who has seen
the power of innovation and perseverance firsthand,
My journey from a small town in Missouri
to this Congress Hall is proof that through
hard work and determination, any obstacle can be
overcome, even in the pressing times we're in
today,
And I assure you that inside this peanut
lies the solution to ending the crop crisis
that has been affecting our farmers' lands,
It is the key to reviving a nutrient
-depleted soil and boosting the economy of Southern
agriculture,
Through encouragement and love, even the smallest seed
can grow into something great,
Let me share with you the moment that
truly ignited my passion for science,
One day, while exploring the fields of my
home, I found a plant,
It was different than all the others,
Its unique characteristics fascinated me,
I spent hours studying it, trying to understand
what made it special,
It was in that moment, surrounded by nature's
beauty, that I realized the powerful potential of
plants,
And in that realization sparked the discoveries that
I am here sharing with you today,
My journey has been long and full of
trials, but immensely rewarding, knowing that through determination
and hard work, and from the support of
those around me, I have made significant contributions
to agriculture,
And I stand here before you today, sharing
those discoveries with you in hopes that not
only are they recognized, but they are used
to create a better future for all,
I spent my childhood on a farm in
Missouri, and I always had this special gift
with plants,
My nickname was the Plant Doctor,
George, you think you could really beat us?
Yeah, watch me,
Hey, look at that plant,
It's just a dying plant,
Who cares?
George does,
He thinks he can fix anything,
You really think you can fix a plant?
I know I can,
Are you sure that's gonna work, George?
Of course it will,
So what happens now?
We wait,
You'll see,
It'll be better in no time,
George, how do you always know what to
do with plants?
Mama said anything will grow if you love
it enough,
I guess I just love plants,
You love me too, right?
Of course, Mary, more than anything,
And just like these plants, I always take
care of you,
Mary, what is it?
They came in the night, tearing apart everything
I knew and loved,
My sister, my mother, and I were all
taken by raiders who wanted to sell us
back into slavery,
George,
Evening, gentlemen,
Who are you?
I'm Moses Carver,
And that there boy you got tied up
over yonder belongs to me,
Finders keepers,
If you want the boy, you're gonna have
to pay up,
How much?
More than you got, I reckon,
It's all the money I have,
Take it,
I reckon that ain't gonna be enough,
You can take my horse,
Deal,
It's all right, George,
You're safe now,
Where's my mom?
Where's my sister, Mary?
I'm sorry, George,
We haven't found your mother or sister yet,
but we won't stop trying,
I promise,
After being freed from slavery, I faced another
life-threatening challenge,
Whooping cough left me weak and gasping for
breath,
Moses and Susan Carver, my adoptive parents, became
my lifeline,
Their care was all that stood between me
and the dark grip of illness,
There you go, George,
Just a little more,
In their care, I found the strength to
fight,
He's a fighter, Susan,
He'll be all right,
These moments taught me compassion and resilience,
There you go, George,
Rest now,
They were more than caregivers,
They were my family,
What are you up to, George?
Even as a child, the soil fascinated me,
Moses saw this and nurtured my curiosity,
Come on, son,
Walk with me,
You've got a knack for this,
The soil teaches us things,
The darker the soil, the more rich in
nutrients it is,
The lighter the soil means it needs more
help,
Moses taught me the land speaks to us,
and it's our job to listen,
George has quite the knack, doesn't he?
Yes, he does,
He's going to do great things,
Susan showed me the importance of nurturing the
soil,
It's all about the soil, George,
Healthy soil means strong plants,
We take care of it like we take
care of each other,
And anything will give up its secrets if
you love it enough, even plants,
This revelation would guide my future work,
You've got a gift, George,
We'll help you learn everything you can,
On that farm, with their guidance, my journey
began,
A journey to unlock the secrets of the
soil and its potential,
Mr, Carver, you speak well for what qualifies
you, a former slave, to advise us on
agriculture and science,
Senator, I empathize with your concerns, but I
have spent my life studying agriculture and improving
farming methods,
But can a former slave really understand complex
scientific research?
I have earned degrees from Simpson College and
Iowa State Agricultural College,
We've all seen your resume, Mr, Carver,
Then you know at Tuskegee, I have conducted
extensive research that has led to significant advancements
in agriculture,
My work with peanuts is not just about
agriculture,
It's about finding ways to make the land
thrive, just as I've had to thrive despite
adversity,
And yet, many still doubt your message,
Sir, doubt is the companion to progress,
It is through skepticism and questioning that we
find truth and innovation,
My journey from a small farm to this
Congress Hall serves as proof,
The hermit, as if wishing to answer to
the confidence of his guest, threw back his
cowl,
Black children were not allowed to attend the
public school in Diamond Grove, so Susan Carver
taught me how to read and write,
Even at a young age, I was curious
and ambitious,
Half devoured with rust,
George, I think you've read every book in
this house twice over,
You've learned everything I can teach you, George,
I think it's time you seek out more
education,
Yeah?
Was this one of your favorites?
Yeah?
This one was mine,
And so my journey began,
I left the Carver's farm, seeking education,
Determined to get an education, I traveled to
Neosho, but arrived after the school had closed
for the day,
Hey boy, are you okay?
Come on, let's get you inside,
How long you been out there?
What's your name, boy?
Carver George, ma'am,
No, child,
Slavery is over,
You're a free man,
You don't belong to anyone,
From now on, your name is George Carver,
You deserve your own identity,
Remember, your worth is not defined by where
you come from, but by what you can
achieve,
Mariah Watkins took me in and treated me
kindly,
She insisted that from that day on, I
would be known as George Carver,
And remember, George, your name carries your legacy,
not just your past,
So make it one that will be honored
and remembered,
Hmm?
Get up, child,
I graduated from high school in Minneapolis, Kansas,
It was a moment of pride and fulfillment,
a testament to my determination,
Can I help you?
Yeah, my name is George Carver, and I've
been accepted to study here,
I think there's been a mistake,
Well, I have an acceptance letter,
We don't accept colored students here,
But you've You'll have to leave now, or
I'll have you escorted off the premises,
Despite the harsh words, I couldn't help but
notice the problem that had stumped him,
My mind instantly began working through the solution,
But before I go, I couldn't help but
notice your notes,
You're trying to create a new fertilizer, yes?
To increase crop yields, right?
Well, I believe the solution involves balancing the
equation for the synthesis of glucose through photosynthesis,
Here, let me show you,
You see, you need six molecules of carbon
dioxide, and you need six molecules of water
to produce one molecule of glucose,
And you need six molecules of oxygen,
You see, incorrect proportions could lead to an
inefficient fertilizer that would end up hurting the
crops instead of helping them,
And if you get the proportions wrong, it
could result in an imbalance of nutrients, potentially
damaging the soil, reducing crop yields,
Leave now, or I'll have you escorted off
the premises,
This moment of rejection was a painful reminder
of the barriers that stood in my way,
Uh, yes, sir,
But it also fueled my resolve to find
a place where I could prove my worth
and pursue my dreams,
I call you a Negro's right,
And though Highland College turned me away, it
only strengthened my resolve,
Every rejection was a stepping stone, driving me
to prove my worth through hard work and
innovation,
I knew somewhere there was a place I
could learn and grow,
And though Highland College turned me away, my
resolve remained unbroken,
I applied to Simpson College in Iowa, hoping
for another chance to pursue my dreams,
And Simpson College welcomed me with open arms,
allowing me to explore my other passions, my
love for art and music,
It was here that I first truly felt
valued,
Understanding the transformative power of education in shaping
my future,
You have a natural talent, George,
Your attention to detail and your ability to
capture emotion are truly remarkable,
Thank you, Ms, Brewer,
Your work shows promise,
Keep nurturing that talent, George,
While music and art were my first loves,
I was always drawn back to the solace
in the quiet company of plants,
Their resilience and beauty captivated me, just as
a blank canvas or a musical score did,
George, I'm surprised to see you here,
Oh, hello, Ms, Budd,
Uh, you know, I saw these plants were
struggling and I, I thought I'd help them,
And you know how to do that?
Well, I've always had a love for plants,
You know, they're like art to me,
Each one unique and beautiful in its own
way,
Have you ever considered studying botany?
Studying plants,
You can do that?
Yeah,
With your skills and your keen observation of
nature, you could do well in that field,
Etta Budd's encouragement opened my eyes to new
possibilities,
Her suggestion to study botany would eventually lead
me to my true calling,
Iowa State Agricultural College has an excellent program,
You should apply,
With Etta Budd's encouragement, I applied to Iowa
State Agricultural College and was accepted,
All right, let's start with roll call,
Sarah Anderson?
Here,
Michelle Brown?
Here,
George Carver?
Here,
It seems we have two Carvers in this
class,
You on the third row,
Yeah, that's me,
Mr, Carver, do you have a middle initial?
It would help us tell you two apart,
Let's go with W,
What does that stand for?
Washington?
Sure,
Sounds good to me,
George Washington Carver,
Is that really your name?
It is now,
It was at Simpson that I realized I
was a human being,
But there at Iowa State, I realized I
was a scientist, a teacher, and an innovator,
I was becoming who I am today, George
Washington Carver,
I spent countless hours driven by an insatiable
thirst for knowledge,
Each discovery fueled my desire to contribute something
meaningful to the world,
George, your research is fascinating,
How do you cover so much ground?
Plants have a lot to teach us if
we just listen,
My time at Iowa State Agricultural College was
transformative,
It not only deepened my knowledge, but also
shaped my vision for the future of agriculture,
I'm an organic mother,
Despite my deep immersion in plant biology, I
struggled to find focus for my thesis,
So George, any luck deciding on your thesis
topic yet?
No, not yet,
Still searching for that one thing that truly
will make a difference,
Well, you better think of something, and quick,
Because not only will you be the first
Negro at Iowa State, but you'll also be
the first Negro not to graduate at Iowa
State,
Really?
Mr, Carver, you've proved that you're qualified,
That being said, you expect us to believe
that rotating crops can solve the soil depletion
crisis,
How can we be sure that your message
will work on a larger scale?
My research at Iowa State demonstrates that legumes,
such as peanuts, replenish the soil with nitrogen,
By rotating crops, we restore the soil's fertility
and increase crop yields,
Today we're discussing soil depletion, a critical issue
affecting our agriculture,
The diagram in your note shows the layers
of healthy soil versus depleted soil,
Healthy soil is rich in organic matter and
nutrients, but years of intensive farming have drained
many fields of these essential components, leaving the
soil barren and unproductive,
How did it get so bad?
Good question, Mr, Carver,
The over-reliance on a few high-demand
crops combined with neglect for soil health has
led to widespread nutrient depletion,
Farmers have pushed their land to the limit,
and now we're seeing the consequences,
People have been planting crops since the beginning
of time,
I don't see the alarm,
I mean, the earth will outlast us all,
Yeah, can't farmers just use more fertilizer?
Fertilizers can offer a temporary short-term boost,
but they don't address the core issue,
Over time, the lack of organic matter and
improper soil management leads to severe depletion,
Our soil is losing its vitality, and farmers
are facing losing their livelihoods,
This problem isn't just local,
It's national,
With much of the soil in poor condition,
crop yields are dropping, and many farmers can't
produce enough to sustain themselves,
This is leading to economic instability, and it
threatens our food supply,
Sarah, the planet may outlast us all, but
our exit will be greatly accelerated if we
don't find a way to solve this problem,
Understanding the depth of the problem, I realized
the enormity of the challenge,
Finding a solution to soil depletion wasn't just
about science,
It was about saving farmland,
It was about saving lives,
Hey, evening, Mr, Carver,
I got a letter for you,
Thank you,
Dear George, we hope this letter finds you
well, and that your studies are going smoothly,
We miss you dearly, and think of you
often,
Things have been difficult here on the farm,
The soil has become so depleted that our
crops are failing, and we fear we may
lose everything,
We've tried everything we know, but nothing seems
to work,
Your father and I are worried about the
future, and we thought you should know what's
happening,
Love, Susanna Moses Oh, man,
If I could find a solution to this
problem, I could save the Carver's farm and
many like them,
This is exactly what I need for my
thesis,
The situation back home made the crisis even
more personal,
I knew my research had to make a
real difference, not just for my thesis, but
for the people I cared about,
I poured all my energy into my thesis,
determined to find a way to restore the
soil and save the farms that depended on
it,
This is not working,
The soil is still too depleted,
Sometimes, when things weren't going well, I turned
to art to clear my mind,
It's not just one method, a combination,
After months of trial and error, I finally
did it,
I had found a way to save the
Carver's farm and restore their depleted soil through
planting peanuts and rotating crops,
My graduate thesis for Iowa State Agricultural College
was finally complete,
Plants as Modified by Man by George Washington
Carver,
You wanted to see me,
This is exceptional work, George,
Your ideas for improving soil conditions are groundbreaking,
Using a mix of methods to combat soil
depletion, that's revolutionary,
Thank you,
I found that by planting peanuts, it could
help because they add nitrogen to the soil,
And second, when you use compost, it makes
the soil richer and thicker,
And third, by using mulch, it keeps the
soil moist and it prevents erosion,
And finally, when you use cover crops, it
adds organic matter once it turns back into
soil,
It's brilliant, George,
Combining these methods solves multiple problems at once,
How did you figure this out?
You know, it was a lot of trial
and error,
You've done an extraordinary job, George,
You may have just ended the soil depletion
crisis that's been plaguing our farmers,
By rotating crops and planting peanuts in the
first year, sweet potatoes in the second, and
cotton in the third, we can restore soil
nutrients and produce a crop rich in protein,
Even if your methods work in a controlled
environment, how can we be sure that they
can be applied practically across the entire South?
We're talking about thousands of acres and countless
farmers,
What makes you so sure that this will
work on such a large scale?
Well, I understand that the scale is daunting,
That's not the word I'd use,
My family, the Carvers, have been struggling with
their own soil depletion,
By applying these methods, they have restored their
land and increased crop yields,
So you're saying your techniques worked on one
small farm?
Yes,
That doesn't answer the question, Mr, Carver,
How does that translate to the vast agricultural
needs of the South?
It's true that the Carver farm was one
small example, but it proves that these methods
can be applied more broadly,
At Tuskegee, we've been replicating these successes with
numerous farmers in the area,
We've seen significant improvements in soil health and
productivity,
We need to expand our agriculture program, but
finding the right person is critical,
There's a lot at stake, Booker,
I agree,
That's why I think George Washington Carver is
the right choice,
His research in agricultural science is groundbreaking,
He's young, only 30 years old, and will
be responsible for an entirely new department?
He's a genius,
Are you sure, even with his genius, that
he's ready for this?
When I started Tuskegee at 25, I faced
similar doubts and challenges,
If I remember correctly, you created most of
those challenges,
We were building something significant,
Carver's achievements were remarkable, especially being the only
Negro and now faculty member at Iowa State,
His success there is a testament to his
determination and brilliance,
He is our only choice,
His credentials are impressive, but there's a lot
at stake,
It's always doom and gloom with you,
If we invest in him and it doesn't
work, it could set us back financially and
damage our reputation,
If it succeeds, it could revolutionize agriculture for
Negro farmers and secure the future of our
institution,
All right, let's proceed,
I'll draft the offer letter,
No, I'll write to him personally,
But what if it doesn't work?
I know,
Thank you, dear brother,
Good evening, Mr, Carver,
I've got a letter for you,
Thank you, sir,
Dear Mr, Carver, I cannot offer you money
or position or fame,
The first two you have, the last from
the position you now occupy, you will no
doubt achieve,
I offer you in their place, work, hard
work,
The task of bringing people from degradation, poverty,
and waste to full manhood,
At Tuskegee, you will have the freedom to
conduct your research as you see fit, with
full support from our institution,
Your dedication to agricultural science is exactly what
we need,
Please join us in this mission to uplift
our people,
Yours truly, Booker T,
Washington,
Make something happen with what we have,
You can't,
I can't,
Get some stuff done,
I don't
know
why he always late,
Where's Professor Carver?
He's never this late,
I don't know, but I can't just sit
here all day,
You know what?
I give 15 minutes and I'm gone,
15 more minutes?
The student handbook said we can leave now,
I know,
I got other classes I gotta go to,
Same here,
You know what?
I'm gone,
If he showed back up, he could teach
this class himself,
Agriculture report on the class and Professor Carver,
I don't know what,,,
Howdy,
Come here,
Have a seat,
Shouldn't you be in Professor Carver's class?
Yes, sir, but,,,
But what?
You know the importance of being in class,
Education is the key to your future, young
lady,
I know, sir, but Professor Carver hasn't shown
up again,
And it's been 15 minutes,
So we decided to leave,
And what do you plan to do with
your time now?
Wasted sitting here?
This is your education we're talking about, your
future,
You need to be in that classroom learning
every minute you can,
I understand that, sir, but we can't keep
sitting in empty classrooms,
It feels like we're wasting our time,
Wasting your time?
You think waiting for one of the greatest
minds of our time is wasting your time?
Professor Carver is working on things that will
change the world, and you get a chance
to learn from him,
Persistence and patience is a part of education,
too,
I hear you, but it's hard to stay
motivated when he's not around,
Some of us are thinking of dropping the
class,
Drop the class?
You drop this class, you might as well
drop out of Tuskegee,
You have an opportunity here that many would
give anything for,
So don't throw it away just because things
are tough right now,
Use this time to study, to learn from
each other, to be ready when Professor Carver
comes by,
That's how you learn, Hattie,
You push through the challenges,
I understand that, sir,
I'll go back and wait,
Good,
And spread the word among your classmates,
Patience and perseverance, Hattie,
That'll get you through,
I told you Carver might be a problem,
This one's on you,
Carver, what on earth do you think you're
doing?
Booker, I,,,
Save it,
You know how many students walked out of
your class today?
And this isn't the first time, Carver,
This is becoming a habit,
Booker, my work is crucial,
I'm on the verge of something that can
change everything,
What good is it if you lose the
respect of the students?
I need to work!
You need balance, Carver,
Booker, my work will bring solutions that these
students can benefit from,
How can you inspire the next generation if
you're never in the classroom?
My work is important, and you know that!
And so is your teaching, and you can't
have one without the other,
Now, these students are depending on you,
Don't let them down again,
Do not make me choose a side,
I will,
Students, and they're probably in my class,
Well, I'm not, and I don't neglect my
students,
And if they knew anything, they would understand,
Oh!
Oh!
I'm sorry!
I am so sorry,
You're fine,
Come on,
That's okay,
I got it,
You got it?
Oh, my apologies,
Yeah,
Let me help you with that,
Thank you,
I didn't see you coming,
I teach agricultural science, and I lead research
here at the Institute,
Oh, I know who you are,
You're quite famous around here, Professor Carver,
Rumor is, you don't actually teach much,
Better keep your head out of the dirt,
Professor,
Is that so?
I just said it was a rumor,
Well, I'll have you know that my work
is far more important than teaching,
And if they can't appreciate that, then I'd
quit before they could fire me,
Careful, George,
You just might talk yourself out of a
job,
Hmm,
Wow,
But seriously, these students look up to you,
Did Washington put you up to this?
No,
No,
But these students need your guidance, not just
your discoveries,
I heard you only have two students left,
Well, I believe in quality over quantity,
It's not about how many students I have,
it's the impact I have on each of
them,
I see your point,
Yes,
But with only two students left, it looks
like a failing program to me,
And for the rest of the staff, for
that matter,
At this point, George, I'd be careful,
They might cut your funding,
Yeah,
They may even fire you,
I said I would quit before they could
fire me,
Maybe,
Just maybe,
There's something more to life than work,
Well, my work is my focus now,
So,
A little balance could do some wonders,
I mean, I would like to get another
man behind the genius,
Are you sure about that?
I mean, you do have a reputation of
people walking out on you,
Those last two students that I have left,
I think I'll take the risk,
So tell me, Plant Doctor,
That's what they call you, right?
Well, I've heard that a time or two
or three,
I mean, actually, I've heard that my whole
life,
That's beautiful,
It's amazing how our childhood interest shapes our
lives,
I love stories,
That's why I teach literature,
Well, maybe you could, you could tell our
story,
Is that so?
Yes,
I mean, unless my, my work with plants
and soil bores you,
If that's the case, then maybe you could
read me a good story from your literature,
Are you asking me on a date to
read you literature, Mr, Crawford?
I'm always been a sucker for a good
story,
These gardens are beautiful,
They remind me of a poem written by
Paul Lawrence Dunbar that inspired me,
Really?
I'd love to hear it,
I know what a cage board feels like,
alas,
When the sun is bright on the upland
slope and the wind stirs softly through the
springy grass,
And the river flows like glass,
When the first bird sings and the first
bud opens,
When the faint perfume of the child steals,
I know what a cage board feels like,
That's, that's a lovely poem,
I know,
That, that line about a cage bird speaks
to the soul,
Yes,
It makes me think about our dreams, the
things we aspire to achieve,
I want to inspire my students to find
their voices,
To see beyond the circumstances,
To believe in a brighter future,
Hmm,
Well, it's about discoveries for me,
How so?
Ever since I was a boy, I've wanted
to unlock the secrets of nature,
And use it to help others,
I know what it feels like to be
a cage bird, knowing that there's so much
more out there,
Maybe,
Just maybe,
Through our work, we can help others break
free from their cages,
To dream bigger,
To reach higher,
Those two students that I have?
No, I mean starting with those two students,
I promise you, George, if you start with
those two students, that too will turn into
a classroom full of students,
Oh, good
morning everyone,
Mary,
Today, we're going to dive into the wonderful
world of plants,
Nature has a lot to teach us if
we would just listen and learn,
Now, let's start today's experiment,
Let's get real, Mr, Carver,
How do you propose farmers, who are already
struggling, to invest in planting and marketing peanuts?
How can you guarantee their livelihood won't be
jeopardized?
We have no market for peanuts,
Without the market for peanuts, we will be
left penniless,
We have to do something, or else we'll
lose everything,
Although I had proven peanuts could restore the
soil, farmers could not earn enough money to
survive from peanuts alone,
I had to create extremely valuable products from
the peanut that they could sell if I
wanted to convince the South to adopt my
new methods on soil restoration,
God, I need your guidance,
The land is dying and the farmers are
suffering,
Then tell me,
Tell me the vastness of the universe so
I can see how to save them,
My mind is,,,
My mind can't understand the vastness of the
universe,
Then tell me,
Tell me the mysteries of this peanut,
Tell me how something so small can make
such a difference,
Morning, George,
How are you holding up?
I'm good, Booker,
Just working through some ideas,
George, how do you manage to do all
of this research?
There's not a single book in sight,
This is highly concerning,
No book goes into my laboratory, Booker,
The things I am to do and the
way I am to do them is revealed
to me by God,
And you really think this peanut can be
an answer to this nation's crisis?
It's amazing how something so small and seemingly
worthless, God has placed the key to saving
our land and ensuring our future,
I hope you're right, George,
I truly do,
I work tirelessly trying to create a valuable
product using peanuts,
Got it?
Got it,
Okay,
That needs a bit of work,
This looks
interesting,
Okay,
Now, first we have peanut lemon punch,
It's refreshing and tangy,
Made entirely from peanuts,
This is delicious,
Yeah,
Yeah,
So what's next?
And next we have peanut chili sauce,
Good to add a little kick to any
dish,
A little strange to bring on a picnic,
don't you think?
I created it just to show the versatility
of peanuts,
Okay,
Then we have caramel peanuts for a tasty
treat,
Made from the humble peanut,
Yes,
Then peanut sausage,
It's great on a sandwich and perfect for
a protein substitute for our farmers,
George, you have outdone yourself,
These are amazing,
And now there's the potato salad,
Made from peanut mayonnaise,
Well, I haven't perfected everything, but this,
And finally, peanut coffee,
A unique twist on a classic drink,
So did you invent peanut butter too?
Maybe,
Or maybe it's just my version,
Peanut paste,
It's richer and thicker,
Perfect for spreading on bread,
George, you have outdone yourself,
The way you see potential in everything is
so inspiring,
Well, I always believe that there's more to
discover, Sarah,
The key to our dreams are within us,
Just like this peanut holds so many secrets,
You know what, George?
I think I just about stuffed myself with
all this food,
How about we dance to work some of
this off?
Oh, I'm afraid I don't know how to
dance, Sarah,
Didn't someone say once that 99% of
failures come from people who have a habit
of making excuses?
Okay, well, since you put it that way,
Come on, just follow my lead,
I'll teach you,
How's it coming?
Will you don't move,
You're going to mess me up,
I never thought I'd be amused for peanut
art,
I said don't move,
I should have painted a plant,
And I should have dated a plant,
Really?
You're in trouble now,
Not if you can catch me, old man,
You're going to make me chase you?
God, show me your wisdom,
Show me your ways,
I love these moments with you, George,
I love you, Sarah,
You look like a king of nature,
I'll be with you by my side, Sarah,
Just another step forward,
Sarah, you have been my inspiration,
And my confidant,
Will you marry me?
Of course, peanut man,
I would love nothing more than to marry
you,
Why can't I figure this out?
There has to be a way,
George, what is this?
Only two students graduated from your department,
And you didn't even show up to the
graduation,
Show up for the graduation?
Booker, if you don't understand how important this
work is, maybe you should just fire me,
Fire you?
You know how many times I've defended you?
I don't,,,
Maybe you're right, but I can't stop now,
I have to find a way to create
a more valuable product from peanuts,
Look, maybe we should transition you out of
the head of the Department of Agriculture and
move you to the head of research,
How does that sound?
Maybe you're right,
Yeah, that might be best,
I just know you hold the key to
saving everything,
Peanuts are versatile,
We can develop markets and new uses for
them,
Just because a few farmers have tried it,
doesn't mean it will save the South,
Success comes from adapting and innovating,
We need to grow different crops to create
new income,
This is madness,
And the last thing we need is some
half-educated Negro telling us what to do,
I'm sorry, this isn't about race,
It's about prosperity forever,
Fear creates hate,
And hate destroys from within,
We must move past our prejudices and focus
on a solution that helps everyone,
Education is key,
Most failures come from making excuses,
That sounds good, Dr, Carver,
But we're talking about real people's lives,
If this fails, it's on you,
I'm aware of the risk, but I believe
in the potential of these methods,
I've seen the results firsthand,
If we continue to rely solely on cotton,
our agriculture will completely collapse,
Where are you, George?
This is the third time this week,
You promised me,
Look, Booker,
Look at this,
Look,
I've been working on this,
Plastic?
From a peanut?
Yes,
This is extraordinary, George,
How did you do it?
Well, I had to separate the peanut from
its basic component,
Plastic?
From a peanut?
Yes,
Fascinating,
Professor Carver, are there any profitable products you
can derive from your peanut?
There's rubber,
There's rubber, Cleveland,
There's utensils,
There's containers, Booker,
And there's even automobile products,
I can't believe it,
You actually discovered a way to create a
highly profitable product with a single peanut?
Booker, you don't understand,
The only way to get far is to
go into crop rotation,
George,
We need to talk now,
Sarah, what?
Can it wait?
Wait?
I have been waiting for two hours,
This is the third time this week,
You left me waiting,
George, maybe you should,,,
It's okay,
I can handle this,
No, George,
We are going to talk about this now,
Either privately or in front of everyone,
Either way, we're going to talk about it,
Sir, are you alright?
It's just a bit of exhaustion,
I'll be fine,
You promised me, George,
You promised me last time that you would
never leave me waiting again,
George, maybe you should take this outside,
We can resume later,
Yes, sir,
Absolutely, sir,
Let's go,
Excuse me,
Sir, you really need to get some rest,
You don't look too good,
I'll be fine,
It's just a bit of exhaustion,
Are you sure?
I'm sorry about earlier,
I never meant to hurt you,
It's just not about earlier,
Sir, it's about every time you choose to
work over us,
You promised me the last time would be
the last time that you would step me
up,
But it's the same story,
I know I've been busy,
But my work is important,
It's about the future of our people,
Important?
What about us?
What about our dreams?
You're so consumed with your work, you've forgotten
about me,
About us,
Honestly, George, do you even care anymore?
Of course I care,
I love you, Sarah,
But you do this here?
It's the only place you are,
I'm trying to make a difference,
It's my calling,
And I'm trying to be here for you,
But you have to let me in,
Let's talk about this calmly, okay?
I can make it right if you just
give me a chance,
This ring, it meant so much to me,
George,
But I can't keep pretending everything's okay when
I know it's not,
Don't do this,
Don't do this,
You've missed so many precious moments, George,
I can't do it anymore,
Sarah, please,
I love you,
I promise,
I promise I'll make it right,
What does that mean now?
You're an amazing man, George,
But you're married to your work,
Sarah,
I'm so sorry,
Where is it?
There it is,
Cleveland!
You wanted to see me?
Yes, Dr, Carter,
I want to speak to you for a
moment,
Sure,
What is it?
It's Booker,
He passed away last night,
No,
No,
I just spoke with him yesterday,
I'm afraid it's true,
I'm so sorry,
Of course, Sam,
Now Booker,
Why is everyone I care about leaving me?
He left us for you,
George, my friend,
If you're reading this, it means I'm no
longer with you,
You have always been a beacon of hope
and innovation,
Don't let my absence dim your light,
Remember your own words,
Where there's no vision, there's no hope,
Continue your work,
Not just for me, but for everyone who
depends on your discoveries,
You have the strength to carry on,
The world needs you,
Booker,
Why is everyone that I care about leaving?
Why?
God,
I can't do this anymore,
What's the point?
Everyone I care about is gone,
Maybe it's time to give up,
Why did you take everyone from me?
What am I supposed to do now?
What?
I quit,
I quit,
I quit,
I quit,
I quit,
George,
I've lost him, Sarah,
I have lost everyone,
I feel so alone,
I'm so lost,
I'm so lost,
You lost everything,
You still have your work,
Your vision,
Booker believed in you,
I believe in you,
The world is depending on you, George,
Booker's vision,
Your vision,
It's bigger than both of us,
Maybe I can't have you, but that doesn't
mean I don't believe in you,
If I've lost you to the world, you
better make it worth it,
Even in passing you, your vision stands,
I'm going to make you proud, Booker,
I promise,
Mr, Cleveland, you wanted to see me,
Yes, George,
Meet Henry Ford,
Mr, Carver, I'm sorry for your loss,
Mr, Washington's impact was significant,
Yeah, his vision brought us all here,
Indeed, a great loss,
Mr, Carver, I've heard about your work,
How do you approach solving complex scientific problems?
Well, I believe in starting with what you
have and making something of it,
Innovation often comes from necessity,
Well, that's all good in theory, but in
practice, it's a different game,
Well, not to me it isn't,
To be honest, I've been quite skeptical about
all this research I hear you've been coming
up with,
Skepticism is just a sign that you're on
to something,
You're bold, Carver,
Now, Mr, Carver, I've heard about your work
with plastics, but can you really transform something
as simple as a peanut into something really
valuable?
Or is this just another pipe dream?
Why did you come here, Mr, Ford?
Obviously, there's something on your mind,
Let's hear it,
I'm looking for a way to power my
cars with something other than gasoline,
An alternative source of fuel,
You think you can make peanuts do that?
If you can handle building a car that
doesn't fall apart, I'm quite sure I can
turn peanuts into fuel,
I like your spirit, Carver,
And that's precisely why I'm here,
To see if you indeed can create fuel
from peanuts that can power one of my
automobiles,
Sounds like an opportunity worth exploring,
I'm offering a generous stipend to the school
to fund this research,
Think of it as an investment in our
future,
Mr, Ford?
Now, if you'll excuse me,
Huh,
This should not take that much,
This is not coming together as previously planned,
I need,,,
,,,resources, I'm at a loss,
I don't know,
Lord, please guide me and show me the
way,
What is all this, Carver?
Well, Mr, Ford, not only did I create
gasoline from peanuts, but I also created soaps
and shampoos so you could wash that greasy
hair of yours and it can shine like
this lovely red and yellow peanut dye I
put on this car,
Very funny, Carver,
Great work,
Now I can paint my car something other
than black or white,
But I have to ask you, Carver, soaps
and shampoos, how's that supposed to help us
with fuel?
It's all part of the versatility of the
peanut,
You see, these products show the enormous potential
of multiple applications,
All right,
Show me the gasoline,
I'm sorry,
Extraordinary work, Carver,
Simply extraordinary,
Well, if you can build a car that
doesn't fall apart, Mr, Ford, I can certainly
create gasoline from a peanut,
Well, I had my doubts,
But you've proven me wrong,
This could change everything,
Mr, Cleveland, I believe Mr, Carver here has
earned your institute quite the donation from Ford,
We'll be in touch,
Well, thank you, Mr, Ford, from all of
us here at Tuskegee Institute,
I see us becoming best of friends,
Carver,
I think you've done it,
Done what, sir?
Today's success story,
How peanuts transform the South's economy,
Farmers are seeing unprecedented profits thanks to George
Washington Carver's remarkable discoveries,
You've changed everything, George,
Couldn't have done it without your support, Sarah,
Am I interrupted?
Not at all, Cleveland,
What is it?
Dr, Carver,
Amazing news,
President Roosevelt invited you to speak before Congress,
The first black man to do so,
About how the peanuts saved Southern agriculture,
This is a magnificent milestone,
This is showing just how far you've come
in breaking down barriers,
A letter from the President,
Yes, sir,
Read it for me, Cleveland,
Dear Dr, Carver, In recognition of your extraordinary
contributions to agricultural science and the economic revival
of the South, I am honored to invite
you to address Congress on the vital role
of the peanut in our nation's future,
Your insights and discoveries are invaluable,
And your presence will mark a significant moment
in our history,
Sincerely, Franklin D,
Roosevelt,
So now, I stand here before you, not
just to discuss the science of agriculture, but
to share the heart of innovation and the
spirit of perseverance,
Over the years, I have developed over 300
products from peanuts alone,
Each product a testament of what we can
achieve if we just look beyond the surface,
From dyes to plastics,
From gasoline to cosmetics,
No matter how small or insignificant something may
seem, it still has the potential to change
the world,
The peanut, small yet humble, has taken us
to that path of redemption,
I stand here before you now, a man
once bound by the chains of slavery, free
now to inspire, to innovate, and create,
99% of failure comes from people who
have the habit of making excuses,
There's no more time for excuses, there's time
for action,
Time for the belief in what we can
achieve together,
Thank you for allowing me to share my
journey with you,
Together, we can turn the tide,
Together, we can change the world,
For your exceptional achievements, and your tireless dedication
to the improvement of agriculture, and countless individual
lives, we honor you with the Spingard Medal
of Excellence, George Washington Carver,
Negro scientist, but as someone who has seen
the power of innovation and perseverance firsthand,
My journey from a small town in Missouri
to this Congress Hall is proof that through
hard work and determination, any obstacle can be
overcome, even in the pressing times we're in
today,
And I assure you that inside this peanut
lies the solution to ending the crop crisis
that has been affecting our farmers' lands,
It is the key to reviving a nutrient
-depleted soil and boosting the economy of Southern
agriculture,
Through encouragement and love, even the smallest seed
can grow into something great,
Let me share with you the moment that
truly ignited my passion for science,
One day, while exploring the fields of my
home, I found a plant,
It was different than all the others,
Its unique characteristics fascinated me,
I spent hours studying it, trying to understand
what made it special,
It was in that moment, surrounded by nature's
beauty, that I realized the powerful potential of
plants,
And in that realization sparked the discoveries that
I am here sharing with you today,
My journey has been long and full of
trials, but immensely rewarding, knowing that through determination
and hard work, and from the support of
those around me, I have made significant contributions
to agriculture,
And I stand here before you today, sharing
those discoveries with you in hopes that not
only are they recognized, but they are used
to create a better future for all,
I spent my childhood on a farm in
Missouri, and I always had this special gift
with plants,
My nickname was the Plant Doctor,
George, you think you could really beat us?
Yeah, watch me,
Hey, look at that plant,
It's just a dying plant,
Who cares?
George does,
He thinks he can fix anything,
You really think you can fix a plant?
I know I can,
Are you sure that's gonna work, George?
Of course it will,
So what happens now?
We wait,
You'll see,
It'll be better in no time,
George, how do you always know what to
do with plants?
Mama said anything will grow if you love
it enough,
I guess I just love plants,
You love me too, right?
Of course, Mary, more than anything,
And just like these plants, I always take
care of you,
Mary, what is it?
They came in the night, tearing apart everything
I knew and loved,
My sister, my mother, and I were all
taken by raiders who wanted to sell us
back into slavery,
George,
Evening, gentlemen,
Who are you?
I'm Moses Carver,
And that there boy you got tied up
over yonder belongs to me,
Finders keepers,
If you want the boy, you're gonna have
to pay up,
How much?
More than you got, I reckon,
It's all the money I have,
Take it,
I reckon that ain't gonna be enough,
You can take my horse,
Deal,
It's all right, George,
You're safe now,
Where's my mom?
Where's my sister, Mary?
I'm sorry, George,
We haven't found your mother or sister yet,
but we won't stop trying,
I promise,
After being freed from slavery, I faced another
life-threatening challenge,
Whooping cough left me weak and gasping for
breath,
Moses and Susan Carver, my adoptive parents, became
my lifeline,
Their care was all that stood between me
and the dark grip of illness,
There you go, George,
Just a little more,
In their care, I found the strength to
fight,
He's a fighter, Susan,
He'll be all right,
These moments taught me compassion and resilience,
There you go, George,
Rest now,
They were more than caregivers,
They were my family,
What are you up to, George?
Even as a child, the soil fascinated me,
Moses saw this and nurtured my curiosity,
Come on, son,
Walk with me,
You've got a knack for this,
The soil teaches us things,
The darker the soil, the more rich in
nutrients it is,
The lighter the soil means it needs more
help,
Moses taught me the land speaks to us,
and it's our job to listen,
George has quite the knack, doesn't he?
Yes, he does,
He's going to do great things,
Susan showed me the importance of nurturing the
soil,
It's all about the soil, George,
Healthy soil means strong plants,
We take care of it like we take
care of each other,
And anything will give up its secrets if
you love it enough, even plants,
This revelation would guide my future work,
You've got a gift, George,
We'll help you learn everything you can,
On that farm, with their guidance, my journey
began,
A journey to unlock the secrets of the
soil and its potential,
Mr, Carver, you speak well for what qualifies
you, a former slave, to advise us on
agriculture and science,
Senator, I empathize with your concerns, but I
have spent my life studying agriculture and improving
farming methods,
But can a former slave really understand complex
scientific research?
I have earned degrees from Simpson College and
Iowa State Agricultural College,
We've all seen your resume, Mr, Carver,
Then you know at Tuskegee, I have conducted
extensive research that has led to significant advancements
in agriculture,
My work with peanuts is not just about
agriculture,
It's about finding ways to make the land
thrive, just as I've had to thrive despite
adversity,
And yet, many still doubt your message,
Sir, doubt is the companion to progress,
It is through skepticism and questioning that we
find truth and innovation,
My journey from a small farm to this
Congress Hall serves as proof,
The hermit, as if wishing to answer to
the confidence of his guest, threw back his
cowl,
Black children were not allowed to attend the
public school in Diamond Grove, so Susan Carver
taught me how to read and write,
Even at a young age, I was curious
and ambitious,
Half devoured with rust,
George, I think you've read every book in
this house twice over,
You've learned everything I can teach you, George,
I think it's time you seek out more
education,
Yeah?
Was this one of your favorites?
Yeah?
This one was mine,
And so my journey began,
I left the Carver's farm, seeking education,
Determined to get an education, I traveled to
Neosho, but arrived after the school had closed
for the day,
Hey boy, are you okay?
Come on, let's get you inside,
How long you been out there?
What's your name, boy?
Carver George, ma'am,
No, child,
Slavery is over,
You're a free man,
You don't belong to anyone,
From now on, your name is George Carver,
You deserve your own identity,
Remember, your worth is not defined by where
you come from, but by what you can
achieve,
Mariah Watkins took me in and treated me
kindly,
She insisted that from that day on, I
would be known as George Carver,
And remember, George, your name carries your legacy,
not just your past,
So make it one that will be honored
and remembered,
Hmm?
Get up, child,
I graduated from high school in Minneapolis, Kansas,
It was a moment of pride and fulfillment,
a testament to my determination,
Can I help you?
Yeah, my name is George Carver, and I've
been accepted to study here,
I think there's been a mistake,
Well, I have an acceptance letter,
We don't accept colored students here,
But you've You'll have to leave now, or
I'll have you escorted off the premises,
Despite the harsh words, I couldn't help but
notice the problem that had stumped him,
My mind instantly began working through the solution,
But before I go, I couldn't help but
notice your notes,
You're trying to create a new fertilizer, yes?
To increase crop yields, right?
Well, I believe the solution involves balancing the
equation for the synthesis of glucose through photosynthesis,
Here, let me show you,
You see, you need six molecules of carbon
dioxide, and you need six molecules of water
to produce one molecule of glucose,
And you need six molecules of oxygen,
You see, incorrect proportions could lead to an
inefficient fertilizer that would end up hurting the
crops instead of helping them,
And if you get the proportions wrong, it
could result in an imbalance of nutrients, potentially
damaging the soil, reducing crop yields,
Leave now, or I'll have you escorted off
the premises,
This moment of rejection was a painful reminder
of the barriers that stood in my way,
Uh, yes, sir,
But it also fueled my resolve to find
a place where I could prove my worth
and pursue my dreams,
I call you a Negro's right,
And though Highland College turned me away, it
only strengthened my resolve,
Every rejection was a stepping stone, driving me
to prove my worth through hard work and
innovation,
I knew somewhere there was a place I
could learn and grow,
And though Highland College turned me away, my
resolve remained unbroken,
I applied to Simpson College in Iowa, hoping
for another chance to pursue my dreams,
And Simpson College welcomed me with open arms,
allowing me to explore my other passions, my
love for art and music,
It was here that I first truly felt
valued,
Understanding the transformative power of education in shaping
my future,
You have a natural talent, George,
Your attention to detail and your ability to
capture emotion are truly remarkable,
Thank you, Ms, Brewer,
Your work shows promise,
Keep nurturing that talent, George,
While music and art were my first loves,
I was always drawn back to the solace
in the quiet company of plants,
Their resilience and beauty captivated me, just as
a blank canvas or a musical score did,
George, I'm surprised to see you here,
Oh, hello, Ms, Budd,
Uh, you know, I saw these plants were
struggling and I, I thought I'd help them,
And you know how to do that?
Well, I've always had a love for plants,
You know, they're like art to me,
Each one unique and beautiful in its own
way,
Have you ever considered studying botany?
Studying plants,
You can do that?
Yeah,
With your skills and your keen observation of
nature, you could do well in that field,
Etta Budd's encouragement opened my eyes to new
possibilities,
Her suggestion to study botany would eventually lead
me to my true calling,
Iowa State Agricultural College has an excellent program,
You should apply,
With Etta Budd's encouragement, I applied to Iowa
State Agricultural College and was accepted,
All right, let's start with roll call,
Sarah Anderson?
Here,
Michelle Brown?
Here,
George Carver?
Here,
It seems we have two Carvers in this
class,
You on the third row,
Yeah, that's me,
Mr, Carver, do you have a middle initial?
It would help us tell you two apart,
Let's go with W,
What does that stand for?
Washington?
Sure,
Sounds good to me,
George Washington Carver,
Is that really your name?
It is now,
It was at Simpson that I realized I
was a human being,
But there at Iowa State, I realized I
was a scientist, a teacher, and an innovator,
I was becoming who I am today, George
Washington Carver,
I spent countless hours driven by an insatiable
thirst for knowledge,
Each discovery fueled my desire to contribute something
meaningful to the world,
George, your research is fascinating,
How do you cover so much ground?
Plants have a lot to teach us if
we just listen,
My time at Iowa State Agricultural College was
transformative,
It not only deepened my knowledge, but also
shaped my vision for the future of agriculture,
I'm an organic mother,
Despite my deep immersion in plant biology, I
struggled to find focus for my thesis,
So George, any luck deciding on your thesis
topic yet?
No, not yet,
Still searching for that one thing that truly
will make a difference,
Well, you better think of something, and quick,
Because not only will you be the first
Negro at Iowa State, but you'll also be
the first Negro not to graduate at Iowa
State,
Really?
Mr, Carver, you've proved that you're qualified,
That being said, you expect us to believe
that rotating crops can solve the soil depletion
crisis,
How can we be sure that your message
will work on a larger scale?
My research at Iowa State demonstrates that legumes,
such as peanuts, replenish the soil with nitrogen,
By rotating crops, we restore the soil's fertility
and increase crop yields,
Today we're discussing soil depletion, a critical issue
affecting our agriculture,
The diagram in your note shows the layers
of healthy soil versus depleted soil,
Healthy soil is rich in organic matter and
nutrients, but years of intensive farming have drained
many fields of these essential components, leaving the
soil barren and unproductive,
How did it get so bad?
Good question, Mr, Carver,
The over-reliance on a few high-demand
crops combined with neglect for soil health has
led to widespread nutrient depletion,
Farmers have pushed their land to the limit,
and now we're seeing the consequences,
People have been planting crops since the beginning
of time,
I don't see the alarm,
I mean, the earth will outlast us all,
Yeah, can't farmers just use more fertilizer?
Fertilizers can offer a temporary short-term boost,
but they don't address the core issue,
Over time, the lack of organic matter and
improper soil management leads to severe depletion,
Our soil is losing its vitality, and farmers
are facing losing their livelihoods,
This problem isn't just local,
It's national,
With much of the soil in poor condition,
crop yields are dropping, and many farmers can't
produce enough to sustain themselves,
This is leading to economic instability, and it
threatens our food supply,
Sarah, the planet may outlast us all, but
our exit will be greatly accelerated if we
don't find a way to solve this problem,
Understanding the depth of the problem, I realized
the enormity of the challenge,
Finding a solution to soil depletion wasn't just
about science,
It was about saving farmland,
It was about saving lives,
Hey, evening, Mr, Carver,
I got a letter for you,
Thank you,
Dear George, we hope this letter finds you
well, and that your studies are going smoothly,
We miss you dearly, and think of you
often,
Things have been difficult here on the farm,
The soil has become so depleted that our
crops are failing, and we fear we may
lose everything,
We've tried everything we know, but nothing seems
to work,
Your father and I are worried about the
future, and we thought you should know what's
happening,
Love, Susanna Moses Oh, man,
If I could find a solution to this
problem, I could save the Carver's farm and
many like them,
This is exactly what I need for my
thesis,
The situation back home made the crisis even
more personal,
I knew my research had to make a
real difference, not just for my thesis, but
for the people I cared about,
I poured all my energy into my thesis,
determined to find a way to restore the
soil and save the farms that depended on
it,
This is not working,
The soil is still too depleted,
Sometimes, when things weren't going well, I turned
to art to clear my mind,
It's not just one method, a combination,
After months of trial and error, I finally
did it,
I had found a way to save the
Carver's farm and restore their depleted soil through
planting peanuts and rotating crops,
My graduate thesis for Iowa State Agricultural College
was finally complete,
Plants as Modified by Man by George Washington
Carver,
You wanted to see me,
This is exceptional work, George,
Your ideas for improving soil conditions are groundbreaking,
Using a mix of methods to combat soil
depletion, that's revolutionary,
Thank you,
I found that by planting peanuts, it could
help because they add nitrogen to the soil,
And second, when you use compost, it makes
the soil richer and thicker,
And third, by using mulch, it keeps the
soil moist and it prevents erosion,
And finally, when you use cover crops, it
adds organic matter once it turns back into
soil,
It's brilliant, George,
Combining these methods solves multiple problems at once,
How did you figure this out?
You know, it was a lot of trial
and error,
You've done an extraordinary job, George,
You may have just ended the soil depletion
crisis that's been plaguing our farmers,
By rotating crops and planting peanuts in the
first year, sweet potatoes in the second, and
cotton in the third, we can restore soil
nutrients and produce a crop rich in protein,
Even if your methods work in a controlled
environment, how can we be sure that they
can be applied practically across the entire South?
We're talking about thousands of acres and countless
farmers,
What makes you so sure that this will
work on such a large scale?
Well, I understand that the scale is daunting,
That's not the word I'd use,
My family, the Carvers, have been struggling with
their own soil depletion,
By applying these methods, they have restored their
land and increased crop yields,
So you're saying your techniques worked on one
small farm?
Yes,
That doesn't answer the question, Mr, Carver,
How does that translate to the vast agricultural
needs of the South?
It's true that the Carver farm was one
small example, but it proves that these methods
can be applied more broadly,
At Tuskegee, we've been replicating these successes with
numerous farmers in the area,
We've seen significant improvements in soil health and
productivity,
We need to expand our agriculture program, but
finding the right person is critical,
There's a lot at stake, Booker,
I agree,
That's why I think George Washington Carver is
the right choice,
His research in agricultural science is groundbreaking,
He's young, only 30 years old, and will
be responsible for an entirely new department?
He's a genius,
Are you sure, even with his genius, that
he's ready for this?
When I started Tuskegee at 25, I faced
similar doubts and challenges,
If I remember correctly, you created most of
those challenges,
We were building something significant,
Carver's achievements were remarkable, especially being the only
Negro and now faculty member at Iowa State,
His success there is a testament to his
determination and brilliance,
He is our only choice,
His credentials are impressive, but there's a lot
at stake,
It's always doom and gloom with you,
If we invest in him and it doesn't
work, it could set us back financially and
damage our reputation,
If it succeeds, it could revolutionize agriculture for
Negro farmers and secure the future of our
institution,
All right, let's proceed,
I'll draft the offer letter,
No, I'll write to him personally,
But what if it doesn't work?
I know,
Thank you, dear brother,
Good evening, Mr, Carver,
I've got a letter for you,
Thank you, sir,
Dear Mr, Carver, I cannot offer you money
or position or fame,
The first two you have, the last from
the position you now occupy, you will no
doubt achieve,
I offer you in their place, work, hard
work,
The task of bringing people from degradation, poverty,
and waste to full manhood,
At Tuskegee, you will have the freedom to
conduct your research as you see fit, with
full support from our institution,
Your dedication to agricultural science is exactly what
we need,
Please join us in this mission to uplift
our people,
Yours truly, Booker T,
Washington,
Make something happen with what we have,
You can't,
I can't,
Get some stuff done,
I don't
know
why he always late,
Where's Professor Carver?
He's never this late,
I don't know, but I can't just sit
here all day,
You know what?
I give 15 minutes and I'm gone,
15 more minutes?
The student handbook said we can leave now,
I know,
I got other classes I gotta go to,
Same here,
You know what?
I'm gone,
If he showed back up, he could teach
this class himself,
Agriculture report on the class and Professor Carver,
I don't know what,,,
Howdy,
Come here,
Have a seat,
Shouldn't you be in Professor Carver's class?
Yes, sir, but,,,
But what?
You know the importance of being in class,
Education is the key to your future, young
lady,
I know, sir, but Professor Carver hasn't shown
up again,
And it's been 15 minutes,
So we decided to leave,
And what do you plan to do with
your time now?
Wasted sitting here?
This is your education we're talking about, your
future,
You need to be in that classroom learning
every minute you can,
I understand that, sir, but we can't keep
sitting in empty classrooms,
It feels like we're wasting our time,
Wasting your time?
You think waiting for one of the greatest
minds of our time is wasting your time?
Professor Carver is working on things that will
change the world, and you get a chance
to learn from him,
Persistence and patience is a part of education,
too,
I hear you, but it's hard to stay
motivated when he's not around,
Some of us are thinking of dropping the
class,
Drop the class?
You drop this class, you might as well
drop out of Tuskegee,
You have an opportunity here that many would
give anything for,
So don't throw it away just because things
are tough right now,
Use this time to study, to learn from
each other, to be ready when Professor Carver
comes by,
That's how you learn, Hattie,
You push through the challenges,
I understand that, sir,
I'll go back and wait,
Good,
And spread the word among your classmates,
Patience and perseverance, Hattie,
That'll get you through,
I told you Carver might be a problem,
This one's on you,
Carver, what on earth do you think you're
doing?
Booker, I,,,
Save it,
You know how many students walked out of
your class today?
And this isn't the first time, Carver,
This is becoming a habit,
Booker, my work is crucial,
I'm on the verge of something that can
change everything,
What good is it if you lose the
respect of the students?
I need to work!
You need balance, Carver,
Booker, my work will bring solutions that these
students can benefit from,
How can you inspire the next generation if
you're never in the classroom?
My work is important, and you know that!
And so is your teaching, and you can't
have one without the other,
Now, these students are depending on you,
Don't let them down again,
Do not make me choose a side,
I will,
Students, and they're probably in my class,
Well, I'm not, and I don't neglect my
students,
And if they knew anything, they would understand,
Oh!
Oh!
I'm sorry!
I am so sorry,
You're fine,
Come on,
That's okay,
I got it,
You got it?
Oh, my apologies,
Yeah,
Let me help you with that,
Thank you,
I didn't see you coming,
I teach agricultural science, and I lead research
here at the Institute,
Oh, I know who you are,
You're quite famous around here, Professor Carver,
Rumor is, you don't actually teach much,
Better keep your head out of the dirt,
Professor,
Is that so?
I just said it was a rumor,
Well, I'll have you know that my work
is far more important than teaching,
And if they can't appreciate that, then I'd
quit before they could fire me,
Careful, George,
You just might talk yourself out of a
job,
Hmm,
Wow,
But seriously, these students look up to you,
Did Washington put you up to this?
No,
No,
But these students need your guidance, not just
your discoveries,
I heard you only have two students left,
Well, I believe in quality over quantity,
It's not about how many students I have,
it's the impact I have on each of
them,
I see your point,
Yes,
But with only two students left, it looks
like a failing program to me,
And for the rest of the staff, for
that matter,
At this point, George, I'd be careful,
They might cut your funding,
Yeah,
They may even fire you,
I said I would quit before they could
fire me,
Maybe,
Just maybe,
There's something more to life than work,
Well, my work is my focus now,
So,
A little balance could do some wonders,
I mean, I would like to get another
man behind the genius,
Are you sure about that?
I mean, you do have a reputation of
people walking out on you,
Those last two students that I have left,
I think I'll take the risk,
So tell me, Plant Doctor,
That's what they call you, right?
Well, I've heard that a time or two
or three,
I mean, actually, I've heard that my whole
life,
That's beautiful,
It's amazing how our childhood interest shapes our
lives,
I love stories,
That's why I teach literature,
Well, maybe you could, you could tell our
story,
Is that so?
Yes,
I mean, unless my, my work with plants
and soil bores you,
If that's the case, then maybe you could
read me a good story from your literature,
Are you asking me on a date to
read you literature, Mr, Crawford?
I'm always been a sucker for a good
story,
These gardens are beautiful,
They remind me of a poem written by
Paul Lawrence Dunbar that inspired me,
Really?
I'd love to hear it,
I know what a cage board feels like,
alas,
When the sun is bright on the upland
slope and the wind stirs softly through the
springy grass,
And the river flows like glass,
When the first bird sings and the first
bud opens,
When the faint perfume of the child steals,
I know what a cage board feels like,
That's, that's a lovely poem,
I know,
That, that line about a cage bird speaks
to the soul,
Yes,
It makes me think about our dreams, the
things we aspire to achieve,
I want to inspire my students to find
their voices,
To see beyond the circumstances,
To believe in a brighter future,
Hmm,
Well, it's about discoveries for me,
How so?
Ever since I was a boy, I've wanted
to unlock the secrets of nature,
And use it to help others,
I know what it feels like to be
a cage bird, knowing that there's so much
more out there,
Maybe,
Just maybe,
Through our work, we can help others break
free from their cages,
To dream bigger,
To reach higher,
Those two students that I have?
No, I mean starting with those two students,
I promise you, George, if you start with
those two students, that too will turn into
a classroom full of students,
Oh, good
morning everyone,
Mary,
Today, we're going to dive into the wonderful
world of plants,
Nature has a lot to teach us if
we would just listen and learn,
Now, let's start today's experiment,
Let's get real, Mr, Carver,
How do you propose farmers, who are already
struggling, to invest in planting and marketing peanuts?
How can you guarantee their livelihood won't be
jeopardized?
We have no market for peanuts,
Without the market for peanuts, we will be
left penniless,
We have to do something, or else we'll
lose everything,
Although I had proven peanuts could restore the
soil, farmers could not earn enough money to
survive from peanuts alone,
I had to create extremely valuable products from
the peanut that they could sell if I
wanted to convince the South to adopt my
new methods on soil restoration,
God, I need your guidance,
The land is dying and the farmers are
suffering,
Then tell me,
Tell me the vastness of the universe so
I can see how to save them,
My mind is,,,
My mind can't understand the vastness of the
universe,
Then tell me,
Tell me the mysteries of this peanut,
Tell me how something so small can make
such a difference,
Morning, George,
How are you holding up?
I'm good, Booker,
Just working through some ideas,
George, how do you manage to do all
of this research?
There's not a single book in sight,
This is highly concerning,
No book goes into my laboratory, Booker,
The things I am to do and the
way I am to do them is revealed
to me by God,
And you really think this peanut can be
an answer to this nation's crisis?
It's amazing how something so small and seemingly
worthless, God has placed the key to saving
our land and ensuring our future,
I hope you're right, George,
I truly do,
I work tirelessly trying to create a valuable
product using peanuts,
Got it?
Got it,
Okay,
That needs a bit of work,
This looks
interesting,
Okay,
Now, first we have peanut lemon punch,
It's refreshing and tangy,
Made entirely from peanuts,
This is delicious,
Yeah,
Yeah,
So what's next?
And next we have peanut chili sauce,
Good to add a little kick to any
dish,
A little strange to bring on a picnic,
don't you think?
I created it just to show the versatility
of peanuts,
Okay,
Then we have caramel peanuts for a tasty
treat,
Made from the humble peanut,
Yes,
Then peanut sausage,
It's great on a sandwich and perfect for
a protein substitute for our farmers,
George, you have outdone yourself,
These are amazing,
And now there's the potato salad,
Made from peanut mayonnaise,
Well, I haven't perfected everything, but this,
And finally, peanut coffee,
A unique twist on a classic drink,
So did you invent peanut butter too?
Maybe,
Or maybe it's just my version,
Peanut paste,
It's richer and thicker,
Perfect for spreading on bread,
George, you have outdone yourself,
The way you see potential in everything is
so inspiring,
Well, I always believe that there's more to
discover, Sarah,
The key to our dreams are within us,
Just like this peanut holds so many secrets,
You know what, George?
I think I just about stuffed myself with
all this food,
How about we dance to work some of
this off?
Oh, I'm afraid I don't know how to
dance, Sarah,
Didn't someone say once that 99% of
failures come from people who have a habit
of making excuses?
Okay, well, since you put it that way,
Come on, just follow my lead,
I'll teach you,
How's it coming?
Will you don't move,
You're going to mess me up,
I never thought I'd be amused for peanut
art,
I said don't move,
I should have painted a plant,
And I should have dated a plant,
Really?
You're in trouble now,
Not if you can catch me, old man,
You're going to make me chase you?
God, show me your wisdom,
Show me your ways,
I love these moments with you, George,
I love you, Sarah,
You look like a king of nature,
I'll be with you by my side, Sarah,
Just another step forward,
Sarah, you have been my inspiration,
And my confidant,
Will you marry me?
Of course, peanut man,
I would love nothing more than to marry
you,
Why can't I figure this out?
There has to be a way,
George, what is this?
Only two students graduated from your department,
And you didn't even show up to the
graduation,
Show up for the graduation?
Booker, if you don't understand how important this
work is, maybe you should just fire me,
Fire you?
You know how many times I've defended you?
I don't,,,
Maybe you're right, but I can't stop now,
I have to find a way to create
a more valuable product from peanuts,
Look, maybe we should transition you out of
the head of the Department of Agriculture and
move you to the head of research,
How does that sound?
Maybe you're right,
Yeah, that might be best,
I just know you hold the key to
saving everything,
Peanuts are versatile,
We can develop markets and new uses for
them,
Just because a few farmers have tried it,
doesn't mean it will save the South,
Success comes from adapting and innovating,
We need to grow different crops to create
new income,
This is madness,
And the last thing we need is some
half-educated Negro telling us what to do,
I'm sorry, this isn't about race,
It's about prosperity forever,
Fear creates hate,
And hate destroys from within,
We must move past our prejudices and focus
on a solution that helps everyone,
Education is key,
Most failures come from making excuses,
That sounds good, Dr, Carver,
But we're talking about real people's lives,
If this fails, it's on you,
I'm aware of the risk, but I believe
in the potential of these methods,
I've seen the results firsthand,
If we continue to rely solely on cotton,
our agriculture will completely collapse,
Where are you, George?
This is the third time this week,
You promised me,
Look, Booker,
Look at this,
Look,
I've been working on this,
Plastic?
From a peanut?
Yes,
This is extraordinary, George,
How did you do it?
Well, I had to separate the peanut from
its basic component,
Plastic?
From a peanut?
Yes,
Fascinating,
Professor Carver, are there any profitable products you
can derive from your peanut?
There's rubber,
There's rubber, Cleveland,
There's utensils,
There's containers, Booker,
And there's even automobile products,
I can't believe it,
You actually discovered a way to create a
highly profitable product with a single peanut?
Booker, you don't understand,
The only way to get far is to
go into crop rotation,
George,
We need to talk now,
Sarah, what?
Can it wait?
Wait?
I have been waiting for two hours,
This is the third time this week,
You left me waiting,
George, maybe you should,,,
It's okay,
I can handle this,
No, George,
We are going to talk about this now,
Either privately or in front of everyone,
Either way, we're going to talk about it,
Sir, are you alright?
It's just a bit of exhaustion,
I'll be fine,
You promised me, George,
You promised me last time that you would
never leave me waiting again,
George, maybe you should take this outside,
We can resume later,
Yes, sir,
Absolutely, sir,
Let's go,
Excuse me,
Sir, you really need to get some rest,
You don't look too good,
I'll be fine,
It's just a bit of exhaustion,
Are you sure?
I'm sorry about earlier,
I never meant to hurt you,
It's just not about earlier,
Sir, it's about every time you choose to
work over us,
You promised me the last time would be
the last time that you would step me
up,
But it's the same story,
I know I've been busy,
But my work is important,
It's about the future of our people,
Important?
What about us?
What about our dreams?
You're so consumed with your work, you've forgotten
about me,
About us,
Honestly, George, do you even care anymore?
Of course I care,
I love you, Sarah,
But you do this here?
It's the only place you are,
I'm trying to make a difference,
It's my calling,
And I'm trying to be here for you,
But you have to let me in,
Let's talk about this calmly, okay?
I can make it right if you just
give me a chance,
This ring, it meant so much to me,
George,
But I can't keep pretending everything's okay when
I know it's not,
Don't do this,
Don't do this,
You've missed so many precious moments, George,
I can't do it anymore,
Sarah, please,
I love you,
I promise,
I promise I'll make it right,
What does that mean now?
You're an amazing man, George,
But you're married to your work,
Sarah,
I'm so sorry,
Where is it?
There it is,
Cleveland!
You wanted to see me?
Yes, Dr, Carter,
I want to speak to you for a
moment,
Sure,
What is it?
It's Booker,
He passed away last night,
No,
No,
I just spoke with him yesterday,
I'm afraid it's true,
I'm so sorry,
Of course, Sam,
Now Booker,
Why is everyone I care about leaving me?
He left us for you,
George, my friend,
If you're reading this, it means I'm no
longer with you,
You have always been a beacon of hope
and innovation,
Don't let my absence dim your light,
Remember your own words,
Where there's no vision, there's no hope,
Continue your work,
Not just for me, but for everyone who
depends on your discoveries,
You have the strength to carry on,
The world needs you,
Booker,
Why is everyone that I care about leaving?
Why?
God,
I can't do this anymore,
What's the point?
Everyone I care about is gone,
Maybe it's time to give up,
Why did you take everyone from me?
What am I supposed to do now?
What?
I quit,
I quit,
I quit,
I quit,
I quit,
George,
I've lost him, Sarah,
I have lost everyone,
I feel so alone,
I'm so lost,
I'm so lost,
You lost everything,
You still have your work,
Your vision,
Booker believed in you,
I believe in you,
The world is depending on you, George,
Booker's vision,
Your vision,
It's bigger than both of us,
Maybe I can't have you, but that doesn't
mean I don't believe in you,
If I've lost you to the world, you
better make it worth it,
Even in passing you, your vision stands,
I'm going to make you proud, Booker,
I promise,
Mr, Cleveland, you wanted to see me,
Yes, George,
Meet Henry Ford,
Mr, Carver, I'm sorry for your loss,
Mr, Washington's impact was significant,
Yeah, his vision brought us all here,
Indeed, a great loss,
Mr, Carver, I've heard about your work,
How do you approach solving complex scientific problems?
Well, I believe in starting with what you
have and making something of it,
Innovation often comes from necessity,
Well, that's all good in theory, but in
practice, it's a different game,
Well, not to me it isn't,
To be honest, I've been quite skeptical about
all this research I hear you've been coming
up with,
Skepticism is just a sign that you're on
to something,
You're bold, Carver,
Now, Mr, Carver, I've heard about your work
with plastics, but can you really transform something
as simple as a peanut into something really
valuable?
Or is this just another pipe dream?
Why did you come here, Mr, Ford?
Obviously, there's something on your mind,
Let's hear it,
I'm looking for a way to power my
cars with something other than gasoline,
An alternative source of fuel,
You think you can make peanuts do that?
If you can handle building a car that
doesn't fall apart, I'm quite sure I can
turn peanuts into fuel,
I like your spirit, Carver,
And that's precisely why I'm here,
To see if you indeed can create fuel
from peanuts that can power one of my
automobiles,
Sounds like an opportunity worth exploring,
I'm offering a generous stipend to the school
to fund this research,
Think of it as an investment in our
future,
Mr, Ford?
Now, if you'll excuse me,
Huh,
This should not take that much,
This is not coming together as previously planned,
I need,,,
,,,resources, I'm at a loss,
I don't know,
Lord, please guide me and show me the
way,
What is all this, Carver?
Well, Mr, Ford, not only did I create
gasoline from peanuts, but I also created soaps
and shampoos so you could wash that greasy
hair of yours and it can shine like
this lovely red and yellow peanut dye I
put on this car,
Very funny, Carver,
Great work,
Now I can paint my car something other
than black or white,
But I have to ask you, Carver, soaps
and shampoos, how's that supposed to help us
with fuel?
It's all part of the versatility of the
peanut,
You see, these products show the enormous potential
of multiple applications,
All right,
Show me the gasoline,
I'm sorry,
Extraordinary work, Carver,
Simply extraordinary,
Well, if you can build a car that
doesn't fall apart, Mr, Ford, I can certainly
create gasoline from a peanut,
Well, I had my doubts,
But you've proven me wrong,
This could change everything,
Mr, Cleveland, I believe Mr, Carver here has
earned your institute quite the donation from Ford,
We'll be in touch,
Well, thank you, Mr, Ford, from all of
us here at Tuskegee Institute,
I see us becoming best of friends,
Carver,
I think you've done it,
Done what, sir?
Today's success story,
How peanuts transform the South's economy,
Farmers are seeing unprecedented profits thanks to George
Washington Carver's remarkable discoveries,
You've changed everything, George,
Couldn't have done it without your support, Sarah,
Am I interrupted?
Not at all, Cleveland,
What is it?
Dr, Carver,
Amazing news,
President Roosevelt invited you to speak before Congress,
The first black man to do so,
About how the peanuts saved Southern agriculture,
This is a magnificent milestone,
This is showing just how far you've come
in breaking down barriers,
A letter from the President,
Yes, sir,
Read it for me, Cleveland,
Dear Dr, Carver, In recognition of your extraordinary
contributions to agricultural science and the economic revival
of the South, I am honored to invite
you to address Congress on the vital role
of the peanut in our nation's future,
Your insights and discoveries are invaluable,
And your presence will mark a significant moment
in our history,
Sincerely, Franklin D,
Roosevelt,
So now, I stand here before you, not
just to discuss the science of agriculture, but
to share the heart of innovation and the
spirit of perseverance,
Over the years, I have developed over 300
products from peanuts alone,
Each product a testament of what we can
achieve if we just look beyond the surface,
From dyes to plastics,
From gasoline to cosmetics,
No matter how small or insignificant something may
seem, it still has the potential to change
the world,
The peanut, small yet humble, has taken us
to that path of redemption,
I stand here before you now, a man
once bound by the chains of slavery, free
now to inspire, to innovate, and create,
99% of failure comes from people who
have the habit of making excuses,
There's no more time for excuses, there's time
for action,
Time for the belief in what we can
achieve together,
Thank you for allowing me to share my
journey with you,
Together, we can turn the tide,
Together, we can change the world,
For your exceptional achievements, and your tireless dedication
to the improvement of agriculture, and countless individual
lives, we honor you with the Spingard Medal
of Excellence, George Washington Carver,