Review of Stamped From The Beginning: Director: Roger Ross Williams, screenplay: Ibram X. Kendi and David Teague. The documentary stars Angela Davis, Ibram X. Kendi, Lynae Vanee, Julian Joseph, Carol Anderson, Alexa Rachelle Jennings, Paisley Rose Carswell, Brittney Cooper, Kellie Carter Jackson, John Gazzale and others. The film has a running time of 92 minutes.
Watch the trailer for Stamped From The Beginning
-Netflix Stamped From The Beginning Review Contains Mild Spoilers-
Shaped from the start. Plot
Inspired by Dr. Kendi’s acclaimed work, Stamps from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas, this documentary delves deep into America’s hidden past, exploring the time when black people were enslaved and the creation of myths around them. The focus is on highlighting the viewpoints of black women, providing a unique perspective to understand the history of racism in America.
Stamped from the start. review
Many of us may assume that we understand the origins of racist sentiments against black people or believe that racism has always been deeply rooted in society. With the visibility of the Black Lives Matter movement, we could feel informed on the issue. However, the reality is that our understanding often fails to capture the deep historical roots and extent of suffering that Black people endured during the era of slavery. This documentary takes us into the harsh reality that is not only deeply sad but also deeply traumatic.
The documentary looks at the roots of anti-blackness and explores its origins. Activist Angela Davis, a prominent voice in the film, emphasizes that it’s not just about skin color or hair texture; It is deeply rooted in the legacy of slavery. Europeans justified the transatlantic slave trade by depicting Africans as subhuman and using terms such as “bestial,” “ignorant,” and “evil,” gradually associating the word “black” with these negative connotations. Through art, fiction, and religion, they rationalized African enslavement as a natural and preordained outcome. Additionally, the documentary confronts the racial division that gave rise to the concept of whiteness and maintains the belief in the inherent superiority of white individuals, justifying their claim to privilege based solely on their race.
The documentary particularly focuses on the plight of black women and how they have been treated over the years, particularly during the era of slavery when they were viewed as mere objects. It highlights notable black women from this era who broke the stereotype that black people were only meant to be slaves. Take Phillis Wheatley for example. She was a renowned poet, but after the publication of her book, she faced disbelief and mistreatment as the prevailing opinion among whites was that black people could not be intellectuals.
The storytelling experience is enhanced by captivating, carefully crafted animations that promote a deeper connection to reality. The inclusion of archival footage and current viral moments serves to provide a familiar backdrop to the concepts explored. From Wheatley’s animated portrayal to poignant panning shots that capture the facial expressions of black women scientists, juxtaposed with archival footage of Ania Hill from the 1990s and more recent images of Chief Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, a powerful narrative unfolds. In this animated depiction, no words are necessary to convey the ongoing struggle Black women face in constantly proving their worthiness, a challenge that still exists today.
The film expertly incorporates recognizable pop culture references from popular films and television shows and weaves them together with a captivating voice-over narration. This juxtaposition challenges fans to confront their admiration while encouraging introspection about how these depictions can inadvertently perpetuate racist perceptions. Additionally, Stamped From the Beginning delves into the harrowing history of black lynchings in the early 20th century. It highlights how media portrayals contributed to deep-rooted prejudices by portraying black people exclusively as criminals while perpetuating fear in white communities that black people would displace them.
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The documentary begins and ends with a central question that explores the real issues surrounding the black community. Finally, it offers a profound answer. It also exposes the manipulation of black people for political gain, which is supposedly anti-racist but is ultimately rooted in systemic racism.
Shaped from the Beginning: Final Thoughts
Stamped From the Beginning is an eye-opening expose that reveals the complex historical web of racism and anti-Black sentiment that is deeply embedded in society. It deftly delves into the origins of these prejudices and shows how they have been carefully woven into the fabric of culture and consciousness. The documentary not only highlights the deep suffering that black people endured, particularly during the era of slavery, but also analyzes the manipulative constructs of racial separation and superiority that persist today.
Through powerful narratives, captivating images and thought-provoking juxtapositions, it forces viewers to confront uncomfortable truths and challenge deeply rooted perceptions perpetuated by media and popular culture. Furthermore, by punctuating the narrative with relevant questions, the documentary is thought-provoking and offers a sobering realization that the fight against racism goes far beyond superficial activism and requires a deeper understanding of systemic problems that are deeply rooted in society. It is a call to action that urges a collective commitment to dismantle these structures of oppression and promote real, meaningful change.
Stamped From The Beginning 2023 is now streaming on Netflix. Let us know what you think about the film after you watch it in the comments section below!
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