Avatar...the new "Birth of a Nation."

While watching Jon Stewart interview Sigourney Weaver, I knew I had to see Avatar. She was so excited about the technology used to make the movie that she declared it would change the film industry forever. I read all over Facebook about people loving the film. Comments like, "the best movie ever," "excellent," "never seen anything like it," and "a must see," made me even more excited. So.....

I had a free day to movie hop (just kidding), and I spent three hours sobbing, gritting my teeth, and being able to hardly stand the storyline of racism, hypocrisy, exploitation, imperialism, and unbridled capitalism yet ruining the world. Most of all, I could hardly handle the fact that it was based on the historical tragic truth of my people and many peoples of the world. That it continues today in the name of spreading democracy and modernity throughout the world, is another blog for another day.

I am new at this so I'll be brief. I cried when the innocent people were annihilated in the name of the all powerful "bottom line," for there is no land the corporate dollar can't conquer. I didn't cry simply because it was sad, but because of a genetic memory of that same genocide--I'm sure. I thought of missionaries in Afrika and Columbus in Haiti. I felt the pain of my ancestors like the "savages" in the movie. The worst part of the movie had to be the fact that we were compelled to feel sorry for Jake Sully and Grace, when they were part of the corporate takeover though more "diplomatic" according to the script. It was still a "John-Wayne-the-white-man- saves-the-day" at the end; the day wouldn't have needed to be saved without his very presence and exploits. I couldn't resist texting my family and friends during the film to warn them of the trauma they might experience.

I know the feedback I might get: "It's just a movie!" Some may say Cameron wanted to rely on a theme that the viewers had a frame of reference for. I understand that. However, I think that too often we don't acknowledge that the oppressed are not the only ones that experience oppression. The oppressor also experiences oppression--just from a much better position. Likewise, viewers have a varied frame of reference. Some of us recoil at the storyline while others are invigorated by it based on their current position in our society riddled with inequality. Of course, I know that I am the underdog here, but I was encouraged to start this blog when every person I texted responded with an awareness or at least an interest in holding Avatar to a higher ethical standard. When the NAACP formed as a reaction to "The Birth of a Nation," who knew the impact the organization would have on our society? They mobilized people against the number one film at the time--one hailed as the film that changed the industry--how ironic? Let's open "pandora" for real!

Finally, I am only interested in two things, one of them not being a boycott of Avatar. Instead, I aim to create a dialogue where we think about the power of media and facilitate ideological struggle so that we gain clarity about our personal principles and our community power.