12 Years [STILL] a Slave - Hardcore Look at the Slavery-Entertainment Industry

I did NOT see 12 Years a Slave, an account of the tortured life of Solomon Northrop, a free black man, “illegally” kidnapped into slavery in Louisiana, and eventually, via the help of a sympathetic white man, freed.

I did see the original, Solomon Northrop’s Odyssey, staring Avery Brooks and John Saxon (Enter the Dragon), 1984.

Over time, much has changed, to the extent I refuse to watch “race” films, movies or documentaries, which consistently show black people in an inferior and debased state; beaten, raped, shot, emasculated, deprived and powerless, with no redemption in sight – until a “Prince Valiant” arrives.

12 Years a Slave, is no different.

What do we take away, after seeing it? The usual emotions and sense of relief, that things are better today?

Why did 12 Years a Slave win so much acclaim at the Oscar’s? Did you hear that two of the voters who had not seen the picture, selected it as Best Picture, because of its “social significance”?

Should I be proud, that Lupita Nyong'o won the Best Supporting Actress Award, for essentially being beaten, raped and continually humiliated, with NO “moment of empowerment” that you KNOW would be scripted in, if the brutalizer was black?

You may challenge my not watching this movie, yet opining, but you have your work cut out for you, to prove why should I or anyone watch it, and show explain its value.

Is 12 Years a Slave a lead-in to other “industry” films, to cater to other issues or agendas?

Let’s check this out, this Saturday, March 15, 2014 on CRITICAL DISCOURSE!