Selma The issue of the controversy was not about what was omitted but what some historians claim was a deliberate distortion of President Johnson s attitude and role Few would quibble with the right of DuVernay to not want to make another white savior film and instead put an emphasis on the perspective of her primary subject matter or her right to leave out mention of many prominent individuals across the social and racial spectrum who participated in the Selma marches or otherwise supported King What Updegrove Califano and other historians take issue with is how Johnson who spearheaded the drive to pass the Civil Rights legislation and who proactively engaged and supported King is portrayed as either a reluctant or obstructionist actor or self interested opportunist So your inclusion of Lewis reference to the Lincoln film doesn t fit here