Why Would Django Evoke Outrage?!?
Slavery is a fact of life and WAS a part of this country’s history and still has lasting effects in the people in this country and around the world. Ignoring it or treating it as this sacred mystical deity that we shall never speak of or we will be doomed in some way doesn’t help in addressing it.
I look at this like I look at Amistad, Roots, Rosewood, Mississippi Burning, etc…All these films make an attempt to show an aspect of American lineage that was ugly vile and unjust in a way that is entertaining or provoking…America has a bloody, ugly, unjust, inhumane past. There is a lot of scar tissue yet to heal from this.
I personally can’t stand depictions and prevalent perceptions that would rather cast Black people as these poor downtrodden insufferably sympathetic figures who had absolutely no pride, will, resistance, or personal agency to change their circumstance physically or mentally.
It is more disappointing that Quentin Tarantino made this film before a Spike Lee type. Also let’s not act like there isn’t a lot of “simple nigga” shit in Spike Lee films. If you personally find it hard to see images and hear the topic of Slavery being played out then you need to deal with it. Shutting it out and crying out in “victim speak” will not make that ugly legacy of Slavery disappear.
I’m not sure where the issue is with this fictitious piece of blood lust wrapped in a love story against the backdrop of 19th century America…where Slavery was prevalent. Would you rather they made the movie in that time period and just act like the Slaves weren’t there or like the slaves were content?? I guess I don’t get it.
Hell I say make as many images and media items that show slavery in as many facets as you can…Especially if it is going to make people feel “uncomfortable”! F your comfort is how I feel about it…deal with what it was. Answer for your parts in it and heal your mind and spirit of what pains you about it now.
Slavery should never be made light of or dismissed, but acting as if it shouldn’t be shown or spoken about is exactly doing that…again DEAL WITH IT. Have a conversation about it. Craft a quality argument about what in this movie you found offensive or disturbing…Saying “I don’t like it” or “Slavery is not joke” is childish at best and cowardice at the core.
When have turning your back on a problem ever resolved it?
