Horror and All Things Black

  Horror movies are more than just entertainment they are a way to tell real stories and reflect the struggles people face in life. For Black people, horror has often erased our real experiences or turned us into stereotypes. In many classic horror films, Black characters are the first to die, are treated as sidekicks, or are made into something otherworldly, like aliens or spiritual guides. This limits how our stories are told and puts us in a box. But horror can also be a tool for survival, problem-solving, and fighting back against the real horrors that exist in our world. Movies like The Blackening and Candyman show how horror can finally include Black voices and real experiences. The Blackening flips the racist horror trope of "the first to die" by centering on an all-Black cast who are smart, resourceful, and fight back. Instead of being passive victims, they take control of their situation, showing that horror can be a space for Black survival, not just death. Can...

When I was younger, if something strange happened, my parents would laugh. I’d be scared out of my mind, but their smiles and laughter made me feel safe, like things would be okay. Now, as I’ve been coming to class, Professor Due’s energy and passion for horror have brought me so much joy, even as we explore the horrific trauma within the Black community. Watching  The Blackening , I couldn’t help but think about the details she’s p ointed out in class. This movie uses clever storytelling and cultural humor in a way that feels real and intentional. I love how it flips the old horror trope of the “Black character dying first,” allowing the characters to fight back and survive together. The movie had its scary moments, but the jokes, the way they handled adversity, and just like Dewayne Perkins pointed out their refusal to leave each other behind made it feel authentic. This movie wasn’t just funny; it was relatable. Black people have always used humor as a way to cope with real-li...

  Blackpast 2/12/2007 First off, Ouanga was absolutely crazy voodoo, control, and a Black woman plantation owner desperately chasing after this white dude. Suppose this whole thing could not be stereotypical enough. The moment Klili (played by Fredi) said, "I will be your slave,"   then Adam responded, “You belong with your own kind.”I was honestly shocked and offended. While watching Ouanga , I couldn’t help but wonder why Fredi Washington chose to take on roles like these roles that seem to uplift white men while portraying Black people as desperate or subservient. It reminded me a lot of Imitation of Life and the way it showcased Black pain, especially how her character ultimately caused harm to those around her. Listening to Professor Due’s lecture, I kept asking myself: Why did Fredi Washington, a talented Black actress, take on roles reinforcing harmful stereotypes? As I thought about it more, I started to consider the idea of light-skinned trauma versus dark-skinned ...

  Since attending UCLA, I have experienced events that feel as if they were lifted directly from a Black horror film, such as Jordan Peele’s Get Out or Us. Over my time here, I have received 38 tickets, been pulled over and questioned about how I obtained my car, and been accused of “looking at” officers for too long. I’ve also been asked invasive questions about how I can afford my car and interrogated about where I live. These experiences go with themes present in Get Out, where Chris encounters microaggressions and veiled hostility rooted in the white gaze and systemic oppression. Much like Chris, I have felt the constant need to justify my existence and defend my actions in spaces where I am viewed with suspicion. The unsettling feeling of being policed and surveilled, no matter how innocent or mundane my behavior, echoes the horror of Get Out's depiction of a world where systemic racism is hidden and even accepted. Similarly, Us explores the disparity between privilege and sys...

First off, I think Professor Due is amazing at explaining horror. She’s so passionate about the subject, and it’s clear she really loves what she’s teaching. Her light and positive energy makes it hard to imagine how she can explore such dark and intense topics, but she does it in a way that really makes sense. I also thought it was really interesting when she explained how horror can sometimes bring closure, which is actually kind of a good thing. If you ever go to UCLA, her class is one you have to take it’s super engaging and makes you think about things in ways you never have before. This week in class, we talked a lot about Black horror and how it connects to the real-life struggles and trauma that Black people have faced in America. I learned that Black horror isn’t something new movies like Son of Ingagi were some of the first examples, and they showed Black people in a way that challenged stereotypes by presenting them as dignified and well-respected. It could be me but I was s...