So a friend and I were having a conversation about watching slavery movies with white people, if I would watch one with her. I hadda stop and think about this for a moment..... The conclusion I came to was that is not a situation I would want to be in. I don't think that would be comfortable AT ALL. I am ashamed to admit that I am just now catching up on the movies that show how my ancestors have been treated throughout history, like Rosewood, Ghosts of Mississippi, Malcolm X, and such. I still have yet to see Roots and Amistad. I never wanted to watch these movies in the past because I knew how horrible, saddening, and depressing they would be.
It's a hard pill to swallow to think that years ago, my ancestors were lynched, beaten, burned, raped, tortured and other horrible acts... simply because people of a different skin color deemed them less than human because of the difference of that skin color. My ancestors were not judged by their acts, but by the color of their skin. They were treated worse than animals... human beings thought less of than dogs, simply because their skin was different. The beautiful, NATURAL, brown skin they were born with elicited hate so strong that they were killed for it. That just amazes, bewilders, angers, saddens, and angers me so much. Yes I said anger twice because it is upsetting to an unknown degree.
Granted I do not hold anyone accountable for mistakes of the past, I do not hate white people for what was done back then, nor do I expect them to apologize or attempt to make amends for it. This does not mean that feelings of anger do not come full force while watching such emotional movies, though. In an attempt to be honest with myself as well as others, I personally do not think I would feel comfortable in that type of setting. I would also not be comfortable watching Schindler's list with white people either or going to a Paul Mooney show with them. There are just certain situations that can and should be avoided in my opinion. This also avoids the possibility of the wrong thing being said or taken wrong during these situations.
Of course I know someone is going to say that we should be able to be comfortable in any situation no matter what the color of our skin is collectively, but I'm just being honest as a human being and even I am not perfect. What do you think?
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