Category Archives: African-American History

African-American History

How The Failure to Understand a Common Writing Technique Has Led So Many Blacks to Put Their Ignorance on Full-Display

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I guess it is merely a “Sign of the Times”. The fact that our contemporaries are incapable of differentiating between entertainment “inspired by real-life events” and in-depth scholarship. Such failings speak volumes about not only the education system but also the misplaced faith that so many place in non-scholarly sources of information. 

Of course, the primary impetus for the above thoughts is the over the top reaction of so many Blacks to the Hollywood film, Harriet. 

As they are known to do, the so-called “woke” community has called for all to boycott Harriet for lack of historical accuracy among other things. In many ways, a perfect storm of race, representation, and voice caused this brouhaha. The presence of Kate Larson, a White female who served as the historical consultant on Harriet, did not help matters at all as her presence exacerbated critics’ propensity to form outlandish conspiracy theories.

Let me be forthright regarding this issue of Whites telling the story of Black ancestors like Harriet Tubman. In many ways, I am uncomfortable with the proposition of such a remarkable story being placed in the hands of the White imagination, an imagination that rarely has presented a suitable recitation of Black life. 

Yet, this posting has less to do with Kate Larson and everything to do with the production of edutainment by Hollywood Studios. To simplify my thoughts regarding this matter, I must state that my definition of edutainment is the means of describing media creations aimed at introducing a historical topic while providing entertainment to viewers. More times than not, those who consume these popular culture depictions of events “inspired by real-life events” have little knowledge about what they are viewing. In actuality, these types of films are phenomenal ways of introducing a historical event to the general public.

One thing that is obvious about the droves who have chosen to criticize Harriet is that they have no understanding of the writing process. There is not a serious writer alive who will deny that every story has gaps within it. Writers circles’ are filled with those who lament that the story does not “flow” in an entertaining manner; in fact, this problem is so pervasive that there are support groups for writers who are afflicted by “writer’s block.” Such moments can be the height of frustration for writers wed to that sultry siren or witch called historical accuracy. Alas, the demonic entity does not possess every writer in the same manner. Those constructors of “historical fiction” have well-established means of dealing with that thing called historical facts. They use an Excalibur called “literary license” to free their pen in ways that are unimaginable to others. This literary device is as common in Hollywood as actors or a script. 

One needs to look no further than Spike Lee’s iconic Malcolm X blockbuster film for verification of the use of “creative license.” Fortunately for Lee, his movie, rife with moments of “historical fiction,” was wildly celebrated by adoring Black audiences for a host of reasons. 

I am confident that if one interviewed the writers of Spike Lee’s Malcolm X regarding how they conquered the Herculean task of abbreviating Malcolm’s heroic life to fit on the “big screen,” the words “literary license” would figure prominently in that discussion. Although I am not psychic, I guarantee you that a significant portion of that discussion would revolve around “Brother Baines.” 

Let’s be clear on this matter, “Brother Baines” is birthed through “creative license” and used to push the riveting story along. “Brother Baines” is the bridge between Malcolm’s incarceration to his arrival and exit from the Nation of Islam. Any decent writer of “historical fiction” will tell you that such characters are a convenient tool used to move a story along without introducing a slew of characters that will slow momentum by confusing viewers.  

These attacks on Harriet reveal a disappointing reality that many can not distinguish between a scholarly book/documentary from an edutainment Hollywood biopic. 

In the end, it appears that the critics of Harriet are doing what comes natural to them; that being, providing criticism that is neither constructive nor address the major issue of presenting stories capable of capturing the minds of young African-Americans. Such critics are ironically serving as a roadblock to the process of sparking the imagination of Black youth to a large audience. Who knows if this exposure will serve as the impetus to them exploring the Black experience in an uncommon manner. Sadly, this unwise course of action, caused by a conventional literary device that they do not understand, threatens to seal a reasonable path to develop a bourgeoning interest in African-American studies among American youth. 

What a blind and stupid people we can be at inopportune times.

Dr. James Thomas Jones III

African-American History

An Unnecessary and Burdensome Load: Why Black America Must Shed Any Shame Associated With Slavery

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During a recent event celebrating the work of a fantastic collective of African-American artists addressing ‘Afro-Futurism,’ I listened intently during the Q & A session that followed. All that I can say is “out of the mouths of babes” because the most poignant inquiry raised came from one of the youngest in the audience.

The poised middle-school-aged African-American female was undoubtedly wise beyond her age, an “old soul,” so to speak. This child shared a heart-wrenching account of how uncomfortable she becomes when the issue of slavery arises in any of her classes. This impressive young sister shared the following.

When we talk about slavery, all of the white kids turn in their seats and stare at me. It is uncomfortable. I wish that my teachers would not talk about it at all, mainly because I am the only Black person in the class.

Unbeknownst to this young lady, the vast majority of African-Americans, regardless of age, educational attainments, and socioeconomic status, experience the “shame” when the topic of chattel slavery arises. It would not be a stretch to argue that the subject matter haunts them like an unwanted haunting. I will never understand why the descendants of those victimized by American chattel slavery choose to carry negative connotations regarding the African Holocaust on their sturdy shoulders.

The burden is not theirs.

If anyone should shudder at the mention of America’s original sin, it is those who have Anglo-Saxon blood flowing through their veins. They are not difficult to find as they proudly lay claim to this eternal transgression by claiming sole ownership of this nation. Unbeknownst to them, their claim carries a foreboding history that should guarantee one’s place in the hottest portion of Hell. Rest assured that this thought is not new, as evidenced by the words of an American Patriot who advised his countrymen of the desperate need to shed the sin of slavery in the following manner.

If God is just, and I believe that he is, we will burn in Hell for this shit.

White Anglo-Saxon Protestants claim to this nation identify them as the descendants of a people who perpetrated untold horrific deeds during this nation’s darkest period. As if that were not enough, the same boasting and bragging convicts their kind as the perpetrators of multiple Holocausts on the North American continent. If only we could get others (Polish, Japanese, Italians, Ghanaians, Brazilians, Nigerians and a host of others) to join in the process of laying such atrocities at the feet of White Angl0-Saxon Protestants, racial matters would become less convoluted in this nation. 

When one thinks about this issue, it becomes evident that the “original settlers” of the North American continent (White Anglo-Saxon Protestants) have been able to shed what should be inescapable blame and responsibility for the deeds of their ancestors.

If nothing else, I have to tip my hat to the ingenious ways that White Anglo-Saxon Protestants have been able to convince persons of African descent that their ancestors were responsible for their victimization during the world’s greatest Holocaust. Similarly, “Whites” whose ancestors did not arrive in this land until well after the deplorable institution was established and operating have been duped into believing that a portion of their admittance to whiteness is paid in their joining the White choral whose favorite tunes are the denouncement of racial justice and resistance to reparations.

Arguably, this is the longest-running con on the North American continent. The most crucial element in its achievement is the astounding lack of historical knowledge that engulfs the vast majority of Americans. When viewed from a detached view, it is obvious that the greatest tie binding Americans together is the shocking level of historical illiteracy that governs their belief systems and worldviews.

Anyone who has studied the discipline of History in depth can tell you that the most powerful element in shaping the worldview and beliefs of people is “the narrative.” The narrative is merely the arrangement of facts to generate sympathy and support for one’s version of History. Experience has taught me that Black America, despite their oral traditions, have yet to learn that they must seize their historical record, just as persons of Jewish descent have, and wield it as an Excalibur against less than favorable “narratives” of History. I guarantee you that until that occurs, African-Americans will continue to carry the shame of slavery on their shoulders, there may be no greater manifestation of this unfortunate reality than the nervousness and insecurities that overtake Black children at the mention of slavery.

Dr. James Thomas Jones III

© Manhood, Race, and Culture 2019

African-American History

Why the Call for a Boycott of Harriet by Black Activists is an Unwise Decision that Threatens Us All

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Two decades of serving as an African-American Studies Professor has placed me on the frontlines of education. It is from this position that I have witnessed a most unfortunate shift in the educational arena.

Although I have worked primarily with African-American students, I believe that the alluded to disappearance of the serious reader has occurred among non-Black student populations as well. Put simply; many students possess neither the discipline nor patience to sit down, devoid of distractions such as cell phones, and engage a book in a substantial manner. As an educator, I can attest to the fact that this shift has been in a word, disheartening.

In many ways, it is laughable that this shift has occurred at the very moment that there has been unfathomable access to information via the internet. I am sure that I am not the only professor whose lectures have been altered by the stated resistance to reading. Not only have my lectures changed but also my understanding of the worth of scholarly studies that appear in University presses and academic journals. A trusted colleague recently stated after lecturing about a recent publication he spent years researching and writing.

“Man, ain’t nobody reading this shit.”

Although most academicians would love to push back against that sentiment, we each begrudgingly realize that there is much truth in such sentiments as the average citizen will never engage such intellectualism.

It is my students shortened attention span that led me to the belief that the arrival of films and documentaries such as I Am Not Your Negro, If Beale Street Could Talk, and Birth of a Nation would provide a path for this latest generation of African-Americans to be made aware of their history and the bounty of intellectuals who have dedicated their lives to illuminating our glorious, yet stony, past.

Alas, my optimism has been dashed by a call for a boycott of the recently released Harriet. As a historian, I cringe at the thought of what I believe is our most reliable means of reaching non-readers being criticized for befuddling reasons. I can do little more than sigh as the referenced population nitpicks at Harriet for things such as:

  • The appearance of a Black “slave catcher”
  • The murder of a Black female character by a Black Male
  • The insinuation of a romantic relationship between a slave-holding white male and Minty.
  • The absence of a visual display of the brutality endemic to the system of American chattel slavery.

The voluminous criticism of Harriet by a vocal minority speaks volumes regarding their inability to differentiate between a documentary and a Hollywood film designed to be edutainment — partially educational, yet overwhelmingly entertaining. Looming even larger is the unfortunate reality that the proposed boycott threatens to abort both in-progress and yet to be “greenlighted” projects dealing with the Black experience.

As the so-called “woke” community argues among itself regarding Harriet, they fail to remember earlier criticisms regarding the dearth of Black stories on the big screen. It is a wicked circular argument that they engage in that begins with (a) the criticism of Hollywood for not placing stories of Black (s)heroes on the big screen, (b) criticism of Hollywood for placing “whitewashed” Black History on the big screen. Not even the in-depth involvement of Blacks in the creation and debut of the film silences such foolishness. I guess that it is true that you cannot satisfy everyone.  

This unwise never-ending unfruitful course of action threatens to create an insurmountable roadblock for the sharing of Black stories in the technology-driven new millennium. It is time for us to face facts, movies such as Harriet are going to be the most accessible path to expose succeeding generations of Black children to the heroic stories and tales of our people. As mentioned above, these stories appearing on the big screen are merely edutainment, emphasis on entertainment, and therefore must be supplemented with lessons from parents, teachers, and the larger community. I hope that those who have unwisely chosen to call for a boycott of Harriet will abandon that endeavor and realize that it will be the most reliable means that Black children will be introduced to this grand ancestor.

I hope that we can agree that Harriet serves as the catalyst to a conversation that would have never occurred in many homes had she never made it to the big screen. However, if foolish boycotts that serve the interests of no one in our community are successful, the recent explosion in Black cinema may come to an abrupt and most unfortunate end.

Dr. James Thomas Jones III

© Manhood, Race, and Culture, 2019

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