I love movies. But I
hadn’t seen one in while so the other day I jumped at the chance to see 12 Years
a Slave. Oh God, it was traumatic. I must be a glutton for punishment cause I
went on MLK day. A day when the energy
of the world is focused on the struggle.
Funny thing though; I wasn’t the only one. The theatre was packed. And with a surprising number of middle aged,
what looked to be suburban white folk. (I
was praying my lip smacks wouldn’t offend them.
This ain’t the type of movie you talk at the screen, if you can feel me.)
I ain’t gonna lie.
When I heard this movie was nominated for all kinds of awards; I was
rooting for it to win across the board.
Yes, of course cause it’s a “black” movie. Then I went to see it. Now I want it to win because it’s a good
film. Notice that step up in vernacular;
it’s not just a movie for entertainment purposes. 12 Years A Slave is a cinematic experience worthy of an Oscar Sweep.
The sound was a supporting character. The sequences were equally as
stimulating. The dialogue was poetic and
the actors were phenomenal. But the
icing on the cake; viewing this art in a room with a diverse audience led to a
spiritual revelation. I remember seeing
Amistad in a theater in Virginia where it was all black. With 12 Years A Slave, the audience was
almost all white.
For me it was a cathartic.
I cried probably 90% of the film.
Good thing I brought tissues.
Periodically I would look at the older couple to my right and the folks
in the row behind me to see their reactions.
Especially during key scenes like when slaves were being raped and
whipped. I was touched by the soccer mom
behind me who was snottin’ and tearin’ up just as much as I was. At that moment I knew why this film was nominated. With Oscar nominations comes Oscar views. With those views comes
conversation.
The emotional impact of this film should bring us full circle
as a collective consciousness. As
painful as it is to watch; if the viewer can be open just enough, he or she
will find understanding and healing. It
matters not the color of the flesh, it matters only the love in the heart. The atrocities of slavery which has existed
for much of humanity’s time on earth has affected us so that it is in our DNA,
passed down from generation to generation.
We have acknowledged the injustice that is slavery. We have accepted that our psyches’ have been
scarred by slavery. Now we must
transcend the emotional pain and shame of slavery. Love
requires it. As Ms. Lauryn Hill so eloquently
put it, “Let your emotions be crucified.
Renounce all your thoughts. Repent and let your mind be re-taught.”
Girl; Churrrch…..
