I recently came across this blog post written on Huffington Post by actor Joe Morton... Those of you who follow Scandal will know him as Eli, Rownan or Command.
While I don't necessarily disagree with Morton's comments, I do however feel the need to make some sort of response.
Morton opens his post with the following questions. I respond to each question in purple:
What does this scenario illustrate that we didn't know or haven't seen before?
While I understand that 12 Years a Slave is repetitive of what we know or have seen to some extent, it is still important to illustrate our history. In the time that we are living, there are still many injustices when it comes to race. There are still so many who do not understand the magnitude of what slavery has done against a people. And to be honest, no film has depicted slavery in such a graphic and unbelievably poignant way.
And why does such a film garner such popularity?
It garners popularity, because while it is a depiction of our history, it is done so tastefully. And I will be honest, let's talk about the films in this genre that have gained popularity- we can all count them on our fingers- Glory, Roots, Rosewood, Amistad . 12 Years a Slave will be this generations, and this decades film of slavery. It in many ways will be the film that will top those others I have mentioned above.
And the list of questions goes on: Why are equal rights the greatest, and seemingly the only, commercial product for so-called black film coming out of Hollywood?
I won't disagree with you here. The same ole, same ole is definitely frustrating. But why do we want there to be a commercial product, don't want diversity in the films that we produce? I think the call should be to promote more of our producers, directors and writers to challenge themselves to think more about the products they put out.
Does this imply that mea-culpa-slavery-films are an artistic perennial for a predominately white audience?
In 2013, even though we have a Multiracial President. We are still facing the same racial challenges that we had 10-15-20 and 200 years ago. The truth is in this day and age, there are more individuals who believe we live in a post-racial environment. That Mr. Morton, might not be how you define it. But for those of us, like myself who will not and do not align ourselves with this thought, I have to believe that there is still very much a need for us to remind the country and those ignorant out there that what happened during the historical depiction of 12 Years a Slave, is still very reflective of what we are still seeing here today in the US. Race is still very much a taboo topic here, we do not talk about the pain of the history we have to collectively face and be open to dealing with.
Why are there few films about African American heroes, produced by Hollywood, as opposed to African American victims? Why has there never been a film about Nat Love or William Pickett (African American cowboys), Bass Reeves (the first African American lawman in the west who, if Reeves were fictional, would be a combination of Sherlock Holmes, Superman, and the Lone Ranger) or The Exodusters (African American pioneers who ventured west)? These are stories about people who took charge of their own destinies and were only victims of their individual circumstances, like their white counterparts. These are characters that are heroic, not victims.
I don't think it is fair to belittle a man like Solomon Northup as a victim. His story is one story of many slaves, who didn't get to tell their stories or return to the lives they once lived. His story is reflective of the stories of many who were robbed of their lives, of their free lives. We will NEVER truly know why he was chosen, but I don't think that it's right to call Northup or any other story about African American history as those of being victims. Each man, woman and child who lived through slavery is a hero! They lived and their stories should be remembered, and should be told and should be celebrated.
Could there definitely be more stories about our triumphs, yes.
I applaud Mr. Morton for beginning the conversation of where we go next when it comes to our art. I think it is important and something that is reflective of the battle between Spike Lee and Tyler Perry, that the arguments were really about doing more. To not continue to allow our story to be on repeat in the same way. I get that, so Mr. Morton, while I don't disagree, I think that this is part of our history. We have a right to tell it our way and if we don't do it with honor and dignity then who will? But I also say to those of you current and aspiring in this field. Do more, do better and let's continue to share our history and celebrate it respectfully.
Let us remember what films we do have coming up: Mandela- A Long Walk to Freedom is a highly anticipated film about triumph of one of the world's most celebrated leaders. While it is not a story of African American history, it is a story of our African connection. And one that I think will begin to further open the gates to what we can accomplish.
