Why “The Help” is not included in the newfound Black Lives Matter category on Netflix.
Netflix launched a new collection labeled ‘Black Lives Matter’ and it exclusively contains content by Black creators. [It is accessible here; www.netflix.com/blacklivesmatter] As this is a major public display of support, of course, it came with the ignorant questions of “Why don’t they have a White Lives Matter category?”, “What about ALL Lives Matter?”, and many similar heated pieces of discourse across the internet.
To my surprise, my white significant other was beyond excited to delve into these extensive topics of the black experience. This surprise was followed up with dismay when they asked an innocent question after a brief overview of the titles, “Why isn’t ‘The Help’ on here?”.
I didn’t know how to break it to them. That’s when I realized, I didn’t know why myself. I always knew that even though The Help was a bestseller, something didn’t feel right. After some investigation, I finally realized why (& eventually shared with my S.O.). The Help is a white savior story in its prime. It follows two Black maids and their white counterpart, “Skeeter”, who ends up standing up for them and eventually brings about change, only to her glory. WE do not need a white savior. WE are saving ourselves, we only ask for support.
The movie also downplays the severity of the Civil Rights movement (as most of US History does, all shade thrown), but what else do you expect a story written by a white woman to be? The author, Kathryn Stockett, wrote this story for other White Americans to find a protagonist that they can self align with, and call themselves a “Good White Person”. This franchise was built solely on the base of white guilt. Kathryn Stockett has and will never face discrimination due to her skin tone. This was not her story to tell.
All of this short spiel to say that please educate your friends and family. If they are seeking education, definitely direct them to Black authors and filmmakers. I have compiled a shortlist below (an extensive one is forthcoming). Hang tough, my sisters and brothers.
African American Authors
- Ralph Ellison – The Invisible Man
- Zora Neale Hurston- Their Eyes Were Watching God
- Alice Walker- The Color Purple
Poetry and Speeches
- Audre Lord – Sister Outsider
- Maya Angelou – I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
- Nathaniel Mackey – Splay Anthem
Up and Coming Authors
- Kiley Reed – Such A Fun Age
- Tochi Onyebuchi – Riot Baby
- Jasmine Guillory – The Wedding Date
African American Filmmakers
Barry Jenkins
- If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)
- Moonlight (2016)
The Gordon Parks
- Shaft (1971)
- The Learning Tree (1969)
John Carter
- The Heartbreak Kid (1972)
- Barbershop (2002)
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