The Woman King - Excellent Acting But Vulgar History

Richard S. Dunn – October 3,  2022

As a rule, I never write or make commentaries about movies because, Hollywood as a collective is one of the devices used to dupe the population into mistaking fantasy for reality, and also one of the “agents” of white supremacy. Just examine the history of Blacks in Hollywood, their treatment, the portrayal of our history and the disgusting stereotype perpetrated over the years. However, at the suggestion of my son who analyzes everything I went to see The Woman King. Despite the excellent acting especially that of Viola Davis, the impressive and gripping directing and cinematography, and a wonderful soundtrack by Terence Blanchard; the screenplay true to Hollywood form, presents a vulgar and misleading presentation of the historically age-old narrative of Africans participation in the slave trade. It is on that basis I could not allow this vulgar interpretation, and lack of historical context to go unchallenged.

 The movie opened in theaters across the United States on September 16, 2022 and up to September 29 had grossed over $40.3 million worldwide, according to Wikipedia. The writers are Dana Stevens a screenwriter, TV writer and producer, and Maria Bello an actress, producer, and writer. Reportedly, the idea developed from a visit to Benin (former Dahomey) by Bello, after hearing about the history of the all-female military unit called the Agojie. Directing is by a woman of color Gina Prince-Bythewood. As a collective, white liberals, so-called scholars, commentators and “historians” are constantly trying to put history on its “head.” It seems to be  an inescapable malady among them, maybe it provides some cathartic therapy; so, they do not have to recognize and accept the reality of white supremacy, and the benefits of white privilege of which they are all beneficiaries.

Demystifying The ‘Slavery’ In Africa Myth

“Slavery” in Africa was qualitatively different, and its basis and objective different from that of chattel slavery carried out by Europeans. African servitude often misleadingly called “slavery,” was as a result of internal warfare, often between neighboring States, and were one of the “spoils” of the victors of the military conflict. The “slaves” were often used as servants to the chiefs or royal court; they could marry and at times marry into the royal family; they knew where they came from; they were never stripped of their humanity or cultural identity and most significantly; were never subjected to the brutality, immorality and inhumaneness, as carried out by the chattel slavers. In fact, not one African leader amassed any wealth to speak of from their participation with any slaver, and any benefit gained, did not make it possible for them to colonize, and dominate any other territory. Further, not one African leader built any dungeon or “hold” to capture and detain other Africans, for the purpose of selling them.

European slavery was a completely different story altogether. It began with the need by the burgeoning colonialists and imperialists to expand their respective economies, by seeking out new and additional sources of raw materials; and, to secure cheap and unpaid labor, for the transformation of those raw materials into manufactured products. The usurping and securing of raw materials and labor, were guaranteed by possessing colonies. The late Dr. Eric Williams in his book Capitalism and Slavery, underscores this critical point: “ Here then is the origin of Negro slavery. The reason was economic, not racial; it had to do not with the color of the laborer, but the cheapness of the labor. As compared with Indian and white labor, Negro slavery was eminently superior.”

The entry of the European in Africa for the purpose of enslavement was the invasion and ravaging by a marauding group of cutthroats who attacked villages killing men, women, and children, burning down their homes and seizing everything in their paths. Many villagers drowned themselves and hid their children to prevent being caught. When direct and violent capture was not feasible, the slavers used deceptive means such as acting friendly, or the offer of precious stones and jewelry to get the Africans on their ships and then kidnapped them. These atrocities are well documented by Europeans themselves: Chronicle of The Discovery of Guinea by Gomes Eannes de Zurara; The History of The Slave Trade by Hugh Thomas and The Hawkins Voyages by Captain John Hawkins contains some of the ghastly graphic details of how the Europeans secured their human cargo for shipment to the Americas, and subsequent enslavement.

The Medias Selective Omission

Each society from time immemorial to the present, have had leaders who were corrupt, easily mislead and opportunistic, therefore acting in a way that betrayed their people and satisfied their own self-interests. The Dutch sided with the Nazis and collaborated with them in their pogrom against the European Jews; no one has castigated them for this fact. It has been widely speculated that Anne Frank whose personal diary influenced the movie The Diary of Anne Frank, that her family’s arrest, and imprisonment in a concentration camp, was based on tips from either Dutch citizens or her father Otto Frank friends. The corporate media and other distractors always talk about objectivity; why not be objective and tell the whole story regarding enemy “collaborators” in history. Selective omission for the purpose of confusing and satisfying a white supremacist narrative, is the modus operandi that drives this practice.

Hollywood Can Redeem Itself

In summation then, the film is a good film and Viola Davis’ performance in her lead role is stellar. If the Academy can break with tradition in ignoring Black films with substance, there is no reason The Woman King should not walk away with at least best actor, and I would add for cinematography and directing also. It is culturally embarrassing and unacceptable, that two white writers, even with its partial inaccuracy, can do a film of substance based on the Black experience. There is no excuse for the buffoonery and imbecile films parading as Black literature, which is so popular nowadays. It is appalling that we as a Black community, have regressed from Richard Wright, James Baldwin, August Wilson, Ida B. Wells, Toni Morrison, and Mia Angelou, to the trash penned by us now and showing on television. Those engaged in television and film should extricate themselves from the voluntary ignorance they have become used to; there are hundreds of books available on the Black experience written by enlightened Black scholars. Pick up one or two and read!!

Richard Dunn can be reached at: contact@makingitplain.net