Finding Strength in Laughter: The Blackening and Black Horror

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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 pointed 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-life horror. We aren’t new to finding ways to survive. In my house, we talk about it all the time what to do if we get pulled over, what to grab if someone breaks in. We even act out these scenarios, and yes, sometimes we laugh. But beneath that laughter is the reality of what we face. Even today, my parents make me practice what I would do if I were followed by the police a horror that continues to haunt our community. Using humor to process fear both historical and present-day gives us power. It allows us to reclaim our narratives instead of letting fear control them. The Blackening reminded me that laughter isn’t just entertainment; it’s resilience. It’s survival. It’s how we confront fear head-on.

A huge thank you to Professor Due for deepening my understanding of  films like this and helping us unpack the deeper meanings behind horror. These conversations have changed the way I see the genre not just as something scary, but as a reflection of our lived experiences, history, and collective strength.

So let’s keep laughing at the boogeyman together!

 


DA

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