Horror and Black Lived Experiences Blog 1

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 surprised when they said they were going to Honolulu in the movie. I don't know why but I didn't envision blacks going places like that then.  Through the lectures, I started to see how Black horror is closely tied to the lived experiences of Black people, especially the generational trauma caused by slavery, racism, segregation, and oppression.

I also learned about some of the common tropes in Black horror films and how they reflect the fears and challenges Black communities have faced. One of the biggest tropes Professor Due discussed is how Black characters are often “the first to die,” which shows how little value is placed on Black lives in media and society. But this trope goes deeper than just movies it’s connected to the reality that Black people are often exposed to more danger, violence, and injustice in the real world, like police brutality or poverty. Another important trope we talked about is isolation. Black characters in horror movies are often shown as being alone in mostly white spaces, cut off from help or support, which mirrors how Black people have historically been excluded from resources and protection. For example, in Get Out, Chris is surrounded by white people in a suburban setting and begins feels completely trapped, both physically and mentally, even though they act like they’ve accepted him. This isolation reflects the struggles Black people face in navigating spaces where they’re not fully welcomed or understood.  Black horror uses these tropes not just to scare people, but to show the real-life horrors of being Black in America.  Professor Due really helped me understand how these stories aren’t just entertainment they’re a way to process and speak out about the struggles that are still happening today.