DISCUSSIONS FROM THE OTHERHOOD

Juneteenth can be a real head-scratcher for African Americans.. It recognizes the date that the people of African descent (in Texas) who were the victims of forced labor were informed that the practice had been illegalized... two and a half years earlier... the last people to know. So why is this a holiday? Let's Discuss it. Also We'll be discussing White Dog, a film from 1982 featuring a white dog that had been trained to attack and kill black people. Let's discuss the film and how it closely relates to the relationship between Black people and the White police.

https://nmaahc.si.edu/blog-post/historical-legacy-juneteenth

https://youtu.be/EoAdd2mfQ84

Recall when some fans of The Hunger Games expressed shock when a black actor was cast as one of their favorite characters… despite the fact that the character had been a person of color in the source material. Alnd remember when almost two million people signed a petition to remake the final season of Game of Thrones, this time “with competent writers.” While creators enjoy fans being invested in their works, do the fans take their “investment” too far? Or do the creators have an obligation to “give the people what they want?” Join us as we discuss when “fans” truly becomes “fanatics.”

Roxanne Bland of Black Rose Press, author William Hayashi, voice talent/researcher Sonia James and author/Librarian Cranston Burney discuss different paths that new and established writers can take to get their books into bookstores and libraries.

Turner Classic Movies can be a great place to experience film history. But don't leave your kids alone to watch the 1943 TV-G Caped Crusader live action show, the Bat Cave where they'll be treated to statements glorifying the internment of Japanese citizens or as they call them, "sl@nty-eyed j@ps" (No I am not kidding nor mistaken). And don't forget General Spanky, (also rated T V-G), where a young Buckwheat scours the docks of a Southern port in the pre-Civil War South asking every white person he meets, "Are you my master?" There are films where white people show up (for no reason at all) in blackface acting out offensive stereotypes and there are no trigger warnings for any of it. We know TCM can address these issues because Eddie Muller consistently does in their Noir Alley segment. So why doesn't TCM have a cohesive rating system that takes into consideration the deleterious effects that these unanticipated racially charged landmines might have on its viewers? Join us in the discussion to talk it out.

The Prime Video presentation of "Covenant" the first season of the anthology entitled THEM has opened to mixed reviews. Described variously as exploring race using the subgenre of Horror as a vehicle or exploiting Black trauma as entertainment, there are many points of view. We'll discuss the show, our opinions and speak with individuals who have actually lived through it.

READINGS: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/08/arts/television/them-amazon-series.html

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/them-tv-review-4163582/

https://www.vulture.com/article/review-them-amazon-series.html

https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-reviews/them-convenant-review-amazon-1149937/

We cosplay and muse and discuss the prospect of DC coming out with a Black Clark Kent/Superman. But what does it mean for Black indie characters; Black Characters already created by Marvel and DC who haven't had their time in the sun? So... do we want a Black Superman... or not?

Is it Sarah Connor, Evelyn O'Connell, Ripley, Lucky Emory, Morticia Addams, the Borg Queen? Join us as we discuss who were (and weren't) the "baddest MFs" (that's "Mother Figures") in our favorite supernatural, horror, science fiction and fantasy stories. (And time permitting, we can discuss why Disney Princesses are always raised by their fathers. and recap Black Fae Day 2021!!)

In genre literature and other media, is the depiction of crime and punishment an extension or perversion of real-world institutions? Does PreCrime violate the Sixth Amendment? does the Federation’s form of “punishment” actually encourage crime? Is killing an undead person murder? Do supernatural beings have “rights” as they are not “natural human beings?” Join us as we deliberate the evidence.

Arguably Science Fiction is the best vehicle for describing the Black Experience while making it accessible to any viewer. Join us as we discuss Science Fiction and the Black Experience. Who got it right? Who got it wrong?

Considering recent films like Us, Get Out, Them and even It Comes at Night, is the horror genre the appropriate vehicle to discuss the African American experience in film? Join us to discuss.