In this episode we take a closer look at the movie Antebellum. As a fan of the horror genre, Antebellum exceeded my expectations. The horrors of slavery are definitely bone chilling, no axe wielding psycho necessary. Obviously, the artistry, clues, and subtleties have gone over the heads of many viewers based on the less that stellar reviews I have read, complaining about it being a slavery movie that subjects it viewers to a cycle of violence and further polarizes the country. This movie parallels the current climate in America and pulls back the layers to reveal the underbelly of White supremacy through the artistry of the genre. Slavery was a cycle of violence, we’ve just been used to seeing it sugar coated on film in America. I wonder why when other period pieces without a person of color in them, or only with people of color cast to serve in some capacity, are made they are celebrated. No one says those films further oppress or polarize the country. How convenient. This is the horror that Black people live with, a shared trauma passed down through many generations, and something that White viewers believe to be far fetched and exaggerated, proving once again that our lived experiences and culture vary greatly based on race in this country. There are many cultural clues and nuances that speak directly to the Black viewer. One would have to also understand the Black culture to pick up on these things. A Spelman degree hung above a degree from Columbia, Murray’s hair grease, and Ivy Park workout wear just to name a few. The microaggressions purposefully placed throughout that occur daily, that one would struggle to understand without Black skin, are all highlighted in the film. The constant silencing and “shushing” of Black voices and Black history, such as the recent decree from the president against the 1619 Project. The plantation being a Reformer Plantation, because these activists and social justice Blacks need to be taught a lesson and silenced. The communication in the cotton field being the whistling of Lift Every Voice and Sing, a song the Black people would know and understand as being time to organize for freedom while Whites just heard a snappy toon because until this year they didn't even know the song existed. Wrapping the dead senator in the Confederate flag and burning them (Confederate Flag Removal), walking away holding a flaming torch (Charlottesville), being killed by the base of the Confederate monument (Symbols of White Supremacy) were all symbolic Coupled all this with a cell phone saving the Black folks lives and all this is happening while oblivious White patrons pay admission to reenact the Antebellum period “for fun”, and yes, Antebellum is my favorite movie of the year. Questions to Consider: What symbolism did you see when you watched? What resonates most with you? Who else will you share this with?` Resources from this Episode Antebellum Movie Site: https://www.lionsgate.com/movies/antebellum Antebellum Period: https://allthatsinteresting.com/antebellum-period You can connect with Queen LaLa and The Palenque Podcast through multiple social media outlets. Website: ThePalenque.com Twitter: @The_Palenque https://twitter.com/the_palenque Facebook: @ThePalenque https://www.facebook.com/ThePalenque Instagram: @ThePalenquePodcast https://www.instagram.com/thepalenquepodcast Apple Podcasts: The Palenque Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-palenque-podcast/id1490366323 Soundcloud: The Palenque https://soundcloud.com/ThePalenque Spotify: The Palenque Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/7aTpRUhH3FqdLFZldMipZ8 Stitcher: The Palenque Podcast https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-palenque-podcast Google Podcasts: The Palenque Podcast https://podcasts.google.com/search/the%20palenque%20podcast Email: ThePalenqueInfo@gmail.com We’d love to connect with you Palenqueros. Share this podcast with your followers. The Palenque: Where Voices For Change Gather!
