"I am not your Negro" is an unrestrained portrait of Race in the United States

texshelters

score 10/10

"I am not your Negro": An unrestrained portrait of Race in the United States

"I am Not Your Negro", The James Baldwin documentary, is an unrestrained portrait of race in the United States. That is no surprise since it is based on his life and writings. From his life in France to his last works and speeches, this movie takes us on a journey with Baldwin and his lessons of historical racism.

The film looks at media portrayals of race, from the Black mama, to the slave, to heroes like Sydney Poitier whom for White liberals was the definition of the acceptable, strong black male. However, for many Blacks, Poitier was the figure that allowed Whites to forgive themselves, as Baldwin writes. His roles allowed Whites to believe they weren't racist, cause hell, they liked this Poitier fellow.

The famous quote goes, "The story of the negro in America is the story of America." Baldwin doesn't mean all history, he means the real history that you won't read in the history books. He means the tragic tale that made America possible, from slavery to segregated schools, to the military and the prison industry.

The movie made my head hurt, just like what happens when I read Baldwin. So many of his lines have so much in them. They are multi-layered pictures of reality. They are unflinching in its condemnation not only of the racists but of the liberals that congratulate themselves that they don't use the wrong words or that they have Black friends or associates. But, as Baldwin points out, these liberals don't bother to cross the street to have dinner with Black families. The movie is dense like a rich cake that changes flavor the more you eat.

During the film, Samuel Jackson reads Baldwin's words about Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., and Medgar Evers, all people Baldwin knew well. We also see footage of his discussions on race and from a very interesting interview with him on the Dick Cavett show. Cavett missteps with some questions to Baldwin, but from the clips we saw, Cavett was smart enough to let Baldwin explain his position. When a philosopher comes on the show and contradicts Baldwin's views on race, Baldwin eloquently explains why this man is incorrect on race because "his is a view of what he wants things to be, not of things as they are."

Interspersed throughout the film are scenes of modern day conflicts between Black communities and police: riots, beatings, killings from Ferguson and elsewhere while Jackson reads Baldwin's words. Clearly, Baldwin's words are still relevant today.

Rating: Pay Full Price, see it Twice.

There is nothing I can criticize here. Baldwin's words, the use of archival footage, the music, the editing were all spot on. And Samuel Jackson reads Baldwin's words nearly flawlessly.

Peace, Tex Shelters

texshelters 19 February 2017

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw3642431/

sad_flute

then what you are saying is that this movie sucks to anyone who doesn't cry like a bitch over racism