Black Horror Black Fredi Washington

-

 



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 trauma. This is a complex issue, I guess, like enslaved house black folk and enslaved field black folk. There was a preference in the home of enslavers. Lighter skin has always been favorable, and darker skin has always been devalued until today. In Hollywood, this division has been played out in critical ways and is often painful. Maybe Fredi wasn’t considered “Black enough” to play a stereotypical role like a maid, slave or caregiver, but at the same time, she was too light-skinned to be cast in all-Black films like Son of Ingagi.  I guess she, too was boxed into roles or type-casted to play light-skinned people who are destined to be white, maybe because they had more privileges. This made me realize how the white film industry has always controlled Black narratives, limiting roles for Black actors while profiting off of our pain. Hollywood has long been comfortable reliving Black trauma for entertainment, but only when it serves their vision and benefits them, not our community. It’s frustrating to see how Black actors, especially in early cinema, had to navigate an industry that only gave them roles that reinforced harmful stereotypes. This is what makes Jordan Peel so great. He defies the odds; he code-switches the lens. He moves historical trauma into conquest; he allows us to be victors, he opens a looking glass and points it toward our inner stories, our inner pain. As Professor Due suggests in her lectures, it helps us face our trauma and control our narratives.

DA

2/1/2025

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Horror and Black Lived Experiences Blog 1

-
Image
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...
Read more

Finding Strength in Laughter: The Blackening and Black Horror

-
Image
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...
Read more

Unpacking Beloved: A New Perspective on Horror and History

-
Image
  Yooooo! I had no idea how complex and layered Beloved truly is, its connections to slavery, murder, grief, and ghosts go far beyond what I initially understood. As a younger viewer, my approach to movies has mostly been surface-level, focusing on action, costumes, and well-known cast members rather than the deeper themes and messages within the story. I do remember Oprah Winfrey's role in the film, but I never fully grasped the emotional weight behind the character she played. This class and Professor Due's Sunken Place journey has completely changed my perspective on movies. I’ve gained a new appreciation for the intricate work of directors, writers, producers, and casting teams in bringing hidden messages to life. Beloved is more than just a ghost story it’s a haunting reflection of historical trauma and the lingering effects of slavery. Horror, as I’ve come to realize, is not just about scares; it’s a mirror of real-life fears and experiences. The way we connect with ho...
Read more