I am looking forward to see Lincoln, the recent film by Steven Spielberg. I want to see it for purely selfish reasons: I am a huge Daniel Day Lewis fan. He plays Uncle Abe and from what I see from the previews, his performance is spellbinding. Those who have followed along with me in this blogging journey from the beginning, know that I used to be a working actor (in what now seems to me like a ”previous life”).
I was waiting to see it before writing a review, which most likely would have been from an afro-political rather than an artistic perspective. However I was watching Meet the Press on Sunday and the roundtable panel, which included the Obama apologist and MSNBC sellout Rev. Al Sharpton, were not only praising the film, but the nobility and sacrifice of Lincoln the man, in his fight to abolish slavery in Amerikka. Huh…I could see Sis. Deb shaking her head… and as we Jamaicans say… “sucking her teeth”… at the commentary (i.e. bullshit) they were spewing.
I recall that many, many years ago when I was a university freshman (in what again seems to me like a “previous life”), my final paper in my Political Economics course was based on the premise that Lincoln did not free the slaves for any noble or altruistic reasons, but primarily because he and the Northern industrialists knew that Amerikka could not reach it’s full industrialization potential with a slave based, agrarian economy dominating the South. Cheap labour needed to move North, while capital for industrialization needed to move South and the domestic consumer market needed to be nurtured. My thesis certainly wasn’t an original one, but as a young and very naive Black man living in Canada, who was just beginning to understand the “real” world and how it had been influencing my perspective about myself and those around me, this revelation was a part of the process I had been going through at the time: the stripping away of illusions and lies I had been told about “the good white people” like Lincoln and John F. Kennedy.
Now let’s fast forward to the present and speaking of Sis. Deb, let’s be clear. As I watched the Meet the Press segment, I was reminded of an insightful and educational article she did on her blog entitled: Lincoln, the resolute white supremacist — the Changeling’s “homeboy”? I encourage you to read the whole article, including the links… it’s fantastic! It portrays the real Lincoln… in his own words. Another excellent article was previously posted here by brothpeacemaker: Quotations from Abraham Lincoln.
I have come to understand and expect the behaviour of the dominant culture, like that of a drug addict, to constantly feed it’s white supremacy cravings, so as to satisfy its needs to feel superior to the “others”, while at the same time feel comfortable about their white privilege, through the guise of their (supposedly) noble endeavours and sacrifices for these same “others”. We can see this playing out especially among the so-called “White progressives and liberals”. It is their “White man’s (and woman’s) burden”! Hence, no character representing, nor a mention at all of Fredrick Douglass and his influence on Lincoln in the film.
This discussion brings to mind a portion of the lyrics of Fight The Power by Public Enemy, with a couple of minor revisions:
Lincoln was a hero to most
But he never meant shit to me you see
Straight up racist that sucker was
Simple and plain
Motherfuck him and JFK
“However I was watching Meet the Press on Sunday and the roundtable panel, which included the Obama apologist and MSNBC sellout Rev. Al Sharpton, were not only praising the film, but the nobility and sacrifice of Lincoln the man, in his fight to abolish slavery in Amerikka. Huh…I could see Sis. Deb shaking her head… and as we Jamaicans say… “sucking her teeth”… at the commentary (i.e. bullshit) they were spewing.”
Bro. Asa…Thanks, very graciously for the h/t. And you ain’t NEVER LIED!! Hell, any mention of the Right Rev. Al these days, certainly has me shakin’ my damned head AND, as we say in SC (before we got edumucated that is) suckin’ my teet’ fuh sho’!
I’ll leave it to Chinweizu to explain (save you some space
):
“If we wait for our official experts, who knows when, if ever, they will dare feel free, or find it profitable, to talk candidly and intelligently to us? For there are three sorts of experts: those for our liberation, those against our liberation, and those who contrive to appear to be on our side while they are indeed subtly working against our liberation.”
Without thinking twice, I say Lincoln AND the Right Rev. Al (he who “marched” with Dr. King — smdh) fit quite snugly into that last category.
I saw the film and Daniel D. Lewis’ performance was stellar as well as Tommy Lee Jones’ as Thadeus Stevens. Ms. Keckley ;Gloria Reuben’s role as Mary Todd’s dressmaker and S. Epatha Merkerson’s characters were marginalized although the latter made for an interesting and less discussed antebellum phenomena at the end of the film. Should have been more on the dilemma of the Black troops who fought with the union and for that matter with the Confederacy.. There is a small acknowledgment of the Union soldiers. It wasn’t impressive…though!
I had hoped that they would have created a scene in the movie between Frederick Douglas and Lincoln. I read that he had a significant impact on Lincoln fighting so hard to get the 13th Amendment passed although he allowed some of the southern states to keep their slave laws, e.g., Kentucky. Spielberg did a good job in presenting how horrid and real the slavery issue was and although Lincoln was a white supremacist; he did hate the institution of slavery. Another perspective on his economic contradictions and mixed feelings re: this matter was how difficult it was for family owned farms to compete with the plantations. Misplaced rage towards the slave rather than plantation moguls. Modern day analogy of greedy corporations gutting the mom and pop or small business owners and contributing to the exploitation of the working folks.
@Sis Deb…I’ve always looked at Al Sharpton sideways especially after years ago there was a shady deal he was embarking on and it was caught on camera. Many don’t remember that. He’s worked hard for the facade of someone invested in human rights and not his own expediencies.
You and I love a good quote that is direct and clear:
Chinweizu:
“If we wait for our official experts, who knows when, if ever, they will dare feel free, or find it profitable, to talk candidly and intelligently to us? For there are three sorts of experts: those for our liberation, those against our liberation, and those who contrive to appear to be on our side while they are indeed subtly working against our liberation.”
EXACTLY…..^◡^
I have yet to see the movie, but I am highly interested in seeing it. I often hesitate to go to see a movie when it first comes out because they are often full of embellished text book myths that play to our emotions (ok I understand its Hollywood as my father used to say) and rarely delve into to what truly may have been the circumstances.
Over the past 10 years or so I have come to learn that much pressure was put on Lincoln by the abolitionists, which included Brotha Douglas, to push through the Emancipation (we really need to look at that word) Proclaimation. However, this press by the abolitionists was spurred on by the amount of white slaves (No I am not confused, I mean slaves and not endentured servants) being held in the slave economic system of the South. This put much fear in the hearts and minds of white people living north of the Mason Dixon line. All in all the emancipation of slaves actually meant the destruction of an economic system which led to the largest redistribution of wealth in the world.
Ok some links because I know I must appear to be out of my “cotton pickin mind.”
http://www.mirrorofrace.org/carol.php
http://trilogy.brynmawr.edu/speccoll/quakersandslavery/commentary/themes/white_slaves.php
Sis Carolyn…Apologize for the delay in responding (Amenta you too!). “Spielberg did a good job in presenting how horrid and real the slavery issue was and although Lincoln was a white supremacist; he did hate the institution of slavery.
I’ve not seen the movie (nor do I plan to, so I’ll have to rely on your and Amenta’s commentary about how well Spielberg did in presenting “how horrid and real the slavery issue was”). I’m willing to venture a guess that he hated “the institution,” but not because of its inhumanity to Black folk.
And yes, you are right: “You and I love a good quote that is direct and clear” — and Chinweizu, absolutely voiced that truth — most succinctly
Brother Amenta…“Over the past 10 years or so I have come to learn that much pressure was put on Lincoln by the abolitionists, which included Brotha Douglas, to push through the Emancipation (we really need to look at that word) Proclaimation. However, this press by the abolitionists was spurred on by the amount of white slaves (No I am not confused, I mean slaves and not endentured servants) being held in the slave economic system of the South. This put much fear in the hearts and minds of white people living north of the Mason Dixon line. All in all the emancipation of slaves actually meant the destruction of an economic system which led to the largest redistribution of wealth in the world.”
Like Sis Carolyn, I know you’re not out of your “cotton-pickin mind” however, the links you provided referenced, not “white slaves” in particular, but those who could, and did “pass” specifically. Attending a segregated Catholic school for all of my early, formative years, more than introduced me to a slew of them. My brother called me this week to tell me about one of them who was in his class ( a year behind me), recently arrested for a helluva arson scheme: His Daddy has owned a construction company in Charleston for some time now, and he worked for him most of his adult life. Turns out, homeboy was burning down people’s shit, and then showing up days later with an offer to do an estimate of repairs for the damage! http://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/charleston/charleston-arsonist-suspect-arrested-but-investigation-continues/Content?oid=4238460 (Please pardon my hardly disguised, schadenfreude here, but my “Black” ass was subjected to their down-the-nose-looking for most of my life).
But, the “white slaves to whom you allude DID exist — http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-legal-creation-of-race-in-america/5313564 — and yes, the press of the abolitionists had more to do with them, than us (gave rise to the, “At least I’m not a nigger,”retort, for sure!). And again yes, you are absolutely right, “emancipation of US meant the destruction of an ECONOMIC SYSEM which led to the largest redistribution of wealth in the world.”
Brother Asa…“Sis. Carolyn, you had me spewing pop out of my nose, choking with laughter and fall out of my chair onto the floor and hit my head with that comment!”
You and me both!! Sis, Carolyn, as you’ve said many times, hit that nail on the head, and through the damned wall! She was dead-on with that shit!
Peace, family — and long live the AfroSpear — I’m so damned glad I found you!!
So true!!
Thanks for sharing the links. I love when I teach my students about Lincoln and how he wasn’t the greatest guy ever! They are brainwashed before my class.
@Amenta…I don’t think you are out of your ‘cotton pickin mind’. “Many things are true at once”. Indentured servitude was probably a more palatable description than slavery. I do remember reading that many “indentured servants’” could not pay their way out of servitude and for many it was a form of slavery. I think of sharecroppers as well. The so-called emancipation of slaves led to forms of sharecropping which many were locked into for their expenses always exceeded their ability to pay their bills and to buy the land. Thanks for the links.
BTW: Viewed Oprah’s interview with some of the stars of Lincoln and of course, Spielberg. She gushed, became tearful and gave their efforts her blessings. I think she said it was a gift and a prayer. So for her and many black folks who feel the way she does; the fact that Lincoln was a white supremacist becomes a moot issue. The fact that he fought for the 13th amendment regardless of his doubts and fears or ulterior motives for that matter; is the overriding achievement. A first step if you will…to another entrance into hell. Hmmm………
“A first step if you will…to another entrance into hell. Hmmm………”
Sis. Carolyn, you had me spewing pop out of my nose, choking with laughter and fall out of my chair onto the floor and hit my head with that comment!
I’m sorry Asa…you’re o.k. right?
To Deb, Asabanga & Amenta: I’m glad as well that I found the AfroSpear village for your articles, comments and perspectives have been enlightening, confirming and yes … have caused the discomfort needed when you’re on the path of enlightenment.
Bountiful blessings and peace to all as we continue on this sojourn!!!!
Ditto, Sis…