Tag: Netflix

“Colin in Black and White” gets us back to Black issues

Candace Paul

I didn’t know what to expect from the limited series, Colin in Black and White. Lately, I’ve been very careful about what I watch or read regarding “thought” pieces on Black culture. I’ve noticed that the Black American struggle has become trendy, lucrative, and in many ways, hijacked by other agendas that are not our own.

Black movements today

Ironically, what starts out as a movement to bring attention AND reform for systemic black issues, quickly becomes a self-interested attention grab for some of those involved. What happens next is shameful.

Those who have been unjustly killed end up becoming tag-lines, while their faces sell over priced tee-shirts, and their tragedies boost social media “likes”. Meanwhile, things stay relatively the same. Or worse, “Black issues” are reduced to “one issue” while everything else is underplayed or overlooked. So, after the marches, the photo-ops, and moments of silence…things go back to “normal” and the same injustices like clockwork happen again.

Colin’s important role

By taking a knee, Colin Kaepernick was arguably the catalyst that helped bring real attention to Black issues in modern times. His decision to take a knee was marred in controversy, misinterpreted, and spun into something negative when objectively it was not. Kaepernick was clear from the beginning: His aim was to bring attention to black injustice, police brutality, and to finally see change.

The world watched as a man put his career and reputation on the line for Black issues. For that reason alone, the bar was set high for this series. I was really hoping Colin in Black and White didn’t miss the mark – especially since Colin Kaepernick was part of it’s creation. Thankfully, the series did its job very well.

What to expect from the series

The series touches on hair, micro-aggression, subtle racism, black “exceptionalism”, colorism, white beauty standards, white approval, and how Colin navigated through all of this to walk his own path. What the series highlights more than anything else, is that his experience is very similar to many Black experiences in America. While we are not a monolith (and shouldn’t be viewed as such), Black people often deal with the same struggles.

Colin in Black & White. Colin Kaepernick as Colin in episode 101 of Colin in Black & White. Cr. Ser Baffo/Netflix © 2021

Overall, it was a really good series that touched on so many issues that are worthy of thoughtful discussion and consideration. I laughed many times, teared up a few times, but was glad that time and care was taken with Colin’s story, because in many ways it is a story all Black Americans can understand.

Colin in Black and White premieres October 29, 2021!

Chadwick Boseman speaks bodly against God in his final performance

Candace Paul

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, an August Wilson play, has been adapted for the screen and is currently on the popular streaming platform Netflix.  The film is already getting Oscar buzz for its star-studded cast, eerily relevant themes, and its highly charged emotional performances. But one scene in particular may be considered the most controversial part of the entire film: When Levee, played by Chadwick Boseman, boldly speaks against God.

Background

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom takes place in 1920’s Harlem. The movie centers on Ma Rainey, a legendary Blues musician, recording the smash hit “Black Bottom” for white record executives. While the band comprised of four talented musicians wait for Ma Rainey to arrive, these four black men share their stories and unique perspectives on racism, class, equity, and religion.

During a highly charged discussion about black exploitation in the music business by white executives,  Levee played by Chadwick Boseman threatens his bandmate at knife point and tells him to ask God for help – like God “helped my momma!” Then he proceeds to go on a rant, taunts God to strike him down, then uses profanity against His holy name. Even though it was “acting”, for me, it was still very shocking and uncomfortable to watch.

The Aknowingspirit team had a discussion about the growing trend in Hollywood to create art that pushes the limits, with the aim of bringing forth strong emotional responses from the audience. This is considered the cathartic view of cinema and it’s used quite often to push certain themes and controversial perspectives.

For instance, in September of 2020, the Oscars released new criteria for considering films for Best Picture. While the stated purpose is “to reflect our diverse global population in both the creation of motion pictures and in the audiences who connect with them”, it may also be a subtle attempt to steer the types of movies made and the content of those films.  See our full discussion on this topic below. Let us know what you think.