Have you seen the movie Birth of a Nation? If no, it is not too late. Get to the theater....
As soon as I heard the name of this movie and understood that it was about Nat Turner, I knew it was a movie I wanted to see. I heard loud and clear the genius of the message producer, director, writer and lead actor of the movie, Nate Parker, was sending for me to hear. I fully expected and was not disappointed that that he would capture the essence of who Nat Turner was and the story of Black rebellion that has been stifled or resisted throughout history in every genre. There was no way he could be so bodacious and then not wholly step into the expectation he had created. He did not disappoint...
The original Birth of a Nation was a racist post reconstruction film released in 1915. White actors in black face depicted the previously enslaved, now free Black majority in the south as a threat and a menace to the very existence of the white minority in the south who had previously ruled and enslaved Black Americans who were now empowered to vote and hold political office, to work and prosper for themselves, support their own communities and live and thrive independently of white folks. You know, the kind of fear trump is doing his best to instill in white America now, 100 years later in 2016....
Certainly the original movie made crystal clear that the virtue of White women was at risk. Ravenous Black men would become consumed with them and their undeniable beauty and would surely start raping them with impunity if Blacks were in control. The movie depicted the worst of scenarios given even the possibility of a Black ruling class. It added to the fear and fury and became the holy bible and most effective recruiting tool for racist Whites and the kkk whose membership flourished. The movie, charging between 75 cents and $2 was a blockbuster, raking in more than more than $10 million in 1915! President Woodrow Wilson hosted a private viewing of the film at the white house and declared it amongst the best ever made. I wonder if President Obama will host a private viewing of the 2016 Birth of a Nation and make a similar declaration. Hmm, Just Wonderin'. I digress...
Originally I saw the movie in Harlem on the night before it's official debut. Seated behind me I could hear a Black man crying. Black men don't cry, certainly not in public theaters. I share that to illustrate just how impeccably Nate Parker conveyed the story of Nat Turner and the power of telling a story of pride, resistance and rebellion of Blacks enslaved in America. Mr. Parker left no stone unturned in what is undoubtedly intended to be the signature piece in his life's work. That this film embodied his passion as a writer, director, actor but most importantly as a Black man is inescapable as is the fact that his work speaks in very loud volume to any progressive, forward thinking and proud Black American who longs to have the truth of our history to be told. I left the theater with jumbled emotions; feeling empty, overwhelmed and uncharacteristically speechless but undoubtedly overjoyed and proud that the movie was made and resolved to do my part to make sure that others got to the theater to see it.
In less than 48 hours following my original viewing, I would co-host an organized private viewing and community discussion of the film with a group of 150 movie goers. The comments offered following the movie were made from the heart. Attendees, old and young, offered their immediate and gut reactions to seeing the movie; from an elder who offered memories of the indignity of being poor in South Carolina picking cotton alongside her parents until the age of 16 when she offered her own rebellion and just refused to do it any more to a young man of 12 or so who offered his joy that the resistance of slavery by Blacks as well as the reality of the cruelty of slavery was being shown for its truth and not romanticized or watered down as being nonexistent regarding the former or less harsh in the latter as often is the case.
Compelling and inspiring commentary was offered by all. Interestingly enough, many brought it back home to what is happening in Black America still today. Comparisons of Black lives mattering then and now seemed inevitable. A prime example that comes to mind is how many in opposition to the movie and any celebration of Nat Turner criticized that he and his band of warriors killed women and children. To which I respond in amazement that one dares to compare loss of life of 60 whites over two days of revolt, no matter how tragic, to loss of life, liberty, dignity and so much of millions of Blacks for more than four centuries. Our babies were fed to alligators... Our women were raped... Our men were castrated and hung... Nat Turner himself, upon capture two months after leading his revolt, was skinned and dismembered. His limbs were preserved as "souvenirs". His skin was used to make purses for women... Two days and 60 bodies. More than four centuries and to many bodies to count... Really? Is there any comparison?
Of course there was pride in our story of rebellion finally being told. Nate Parker also made it abundantly clear how religion was used to manipulate compliance, obedience and to instill fear in the enslaved African and Nat Turner's masterful ability to understand and reverse the application of religious teachings.
The film depicted the will and determination of the Black man to protect and defend his woman and the strength and determination of the Black woman to support and empower her man. Someone pointed out that Nat Turner lived and was willing to die for a single purpose, to uplift and free his people; a quality and level of commitment few possess for any cause today.
Above and beyond all it was abundantly clear after watching this movie why such efforts were made to create the negative chatter specifically intended to quell the excitement, if not the release, certainly attendance at this movie, Undoubtedly it is a truth that some would want never to be told. Never should Blacks be empowered or inspired by our history. or to believe in ourselves or our capabilities. Never should Blacks enslaved in America be depicted as aware or unhappy about our predicament then or now regarding enslavement in America. Never should Blacks who dare(d) to rebel in America be celebrated. Never, never, never... Thus stories of distraction were created to deter from the relevance, importance and ultimately delivery of this story.
This film and it's message of resistance, pride and rebellion far outweigh what might be any trepidation or reservation one might have about seeing the movie, supporting Nate Parker, criticism of acts committed by Nat Turner, artistic freedoms depicting history or any other excuse not to see the movie. The movie is powerful, all inspiring on so many levels, is certainly award worthy. It tells a must see story that any proud people would want to be told, that any proud people would want to see...
Prior to seeing the movie I might have accepted one's decision not to support to film for any one of a myriad of reasons being offered. Now that I have seen Birth of a Nation, I view any such reasoning, particularly by Black Americans, as beyond frivolous, obstructionist, destructive, ill thought and certainly not in accord with any claims of progressive thinking. No matter your misgiving, it does not outweigh or rise above the importance or relevance of the message of this movie. Don't be part of the problem contributing to suppression of an awakening in American, impeding the telling or celebration of Black heroes and Black history in America, deterring our taking control of the narrative of our story about us and how it is told in America. Don't be bamboozled or distracted by those who have ulterior motives that don't serve you/us well. Step up and be part of the solution. GO SEE THE MOVIE! You can thank me later...
