Horror and All Things Black

  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...