500 years later!!!

[futurmama8]

Has anyone watched it yet? What did you think about it?

What can we do to fix these problems that POC deal with?

After watching this movie I got very pissed and wanted to quit my major and switch to teaching and open more schools dedicated to African and black history. I like how the Lotus school was run and it is a shame that we have to have these schools in the first place. It made me want to open community centers for young children to come and get tutors and be involved in African drumming or dancing classes, connecting the inner city by showing them how to grow vegetables and sharing with friends and family. I have big dreams for this world but doesn't it take a collaborative movement?

Let me know what you think about this wonderful movie

[Viola]

I haven't seen it yet, but it sounds interesting.

[futurmama8]

please watch it!! netflix has it on play it now feature. Let me know what you think once you see it.

[KaraBoo]

just put it in my queue

[Yinsum]

Thanks for starting this Futurmama I am looking forward to discussing this movie

[Viola]

Hmmm, I don't have a Netflix account, but we have a Netflix option on our DVR, so it might be worth getting, huh?

[futurmama8]

It is definitely worth seeing. There is a lot of information packed in the those 1.5-2 hours. I am very critical of some documentaries but this one hit all points plus it was made by a very young man who is featured in the doc. (has dreads). Please come back and tell me what you think

[Yinsum]

Wow Futurmama

This is one powerful movie. I am watching it this morning while everyone is out. But I think they need to be here to see it too.
Thank you!

I need to watch this several times...wow

[futurmama8]

: Yay Yinsum!! Yeah I got it again just to watch it some more. It is stuff you have see with family.

[Yinsum]

Do you know when the release of MotherLand is slated for? I am eager to see that one now.

SO any ideas how to get the discussion ball rolling?

[futurmama8]

Sorry it took me so long to reply, my computer was very sick and still is.

I actually haven't heard of that movie but I am going to go look it up.

I actually expected the convo to take off but I know this movie isn't well known.

I really wanted to know what do you think of what they said? Was any of it over the top? What do you think can be done to fix these problems POC have? What is it that has caused AA to be so marginalized???

I would have liked to put this in TAO since more people would see it and maybe comment but IDK.

Thanks for coming over girly.

[Yinsum]

futurmama thank you again so much this film. I just watched it with my family. My 15 year old son was so greatly moved by this. We had a long deep conversation. DD unfortunately fell asleep, but she is 6 and it is long. Younger ds was interested, but quiet. He was listening to the conversation afterward. Glad I could bring this to my family.
One point before I forget.
The part about the Fresh Prince of Belaire with Will Smith really hit ds deeply. He had an aha moment. His friends expect him to be like Will. He said he is like Carlton as far as school and working hard, but proud to be black. He didn't know that either character had a real pride beyond stereotypes

[futurmama8]

I am so happy to hear tha Yinsum!! I think it is great that your sons participated in the conversation. I hope when I have children I can do that with them. I agree with the Will Smith part of the movie even though I was kind of caught off guard with that part. I never saw it that way but I can see how some white people can expect us to be in certain roles.

My friend (who is black) has a white boyfriend and they have a child together. They watched the movie together and the guy actually said he was offended at some parts of the movie. He said some of the people were blaming all white people for their problems. Now I didn't see that but I need to watch it again, but did you happen to notice that? I have to say he describes himself as very "afrocentric" loves rap, natural women, learning about africa so it surprised me to hear that. Did you find parts in that movie that may have been offending to white people? I think I may suggest that he read, "why are all the black kids sitting together in the cafeteria".

Sorry for the ramble

[Yinsum]

Futurmama sounds to me like your friend's boyfriend had strong opinion s before he saw the movie and stayed stuck on certain points without watching the progression.
I felt the movie discussed how things came to be. How as black people we even continue to legacy on inferiority because we lack the education to liberate our minds. The movie then talks about how we live out the roles put before us through the dominant culture. That's not blaming white people that's a statement of what is.
If he allowed himself to be open he would see that the movie went from stating a problem, giving the history of the problem, acknowledge why the problem continues and it ends with answers to the problem. Those answers were not in the hands of white people, but in the hands of blacks. If the movie blamed white people would not have ended asking white people to solve the problem?

The movie tackled harsh realities. That often no one wants to talk about. My son mentioned how in school the learn about the Holocaust. The harsh realities and acknowledge the government at the time was bad. That doesn't blame every German person.
And my son wondered why we don't have the same conversations about slavery? Same thing wondered in the movie. Same question in the movie...why are we told to forget? why are we discouraged from mentioning it? Why is one of our nation's greatest tragedies such a taboo conversation?

Regarding your friend and stated in the movie having an african mind is not simply wearing kente, locing one's hair, speaking African languages. I don't want to misquote the movie, but will say he may look the part but does he understand and fully embrace the part. Listening to rap music while born from the black culture the music does not always reflect the heart of the spirit of Africa. The movie address that as well. Music with social conscious and meaning is now making way for misogyny and (not even going to go there)


Got to run for a bit