Who would think of "space" as a site of resistance? And, I don't just mean physical locality, I also mean our bodies, music, cinema, or anything else. Would you think of words in the same manner? Maybe so, but for black folks, defying the odds has always represented resistance. I just heard on the radio about Ray Charles being banned from the State of Georgia for over twenty years because he refused to play in segregated venues. Yet, he initially thought, "I can't do anything about it. I'm just an entertainer." Which act of resistance resonated the most with you in this unit, and has it inspired more resistance in your current space or place? Please explain.
On a radical view or perspective, identifying the spaces where we start a process of revision is a crucial choice demanded by all, where the acts of resistance critically commands changes in our society. The questions presented above instructed me to think in a greater analytical depth. Involving "space" as a site of resistance shapes and determines the responses to the cultural practices and actions we engage in globally. If this is not carefully accomplished, we will continue to stand in the space with the oppressed and oppressors. For many individuals, the movement of resistance requires pushing against oppressive barriers set by race, sex, and class domination. During this unit, I enjoyed and learned so much that I am unable to choose a top act that resonated with me the most. However, I do have three top acts which include Ava Duvernay, Assata Shakur, and Luke Cage's signature Hoodie episode.
DuVernay is the first woman of color and the fifth woman ever to be nominated for best director of a feature film in the Golden Globes. Her nomination displays at this point and time that the struggle for women and people of colors' acceptance in the film industry is not in vain. The visibility of Ava DuVernay’s work displays her accessibility to a variety of stages worldwide. This is shown through The Middle of Nowhere which cost $200,000 and won her best director award at Sundance, whereas Selma is on a totally different realm and cost $20 million. Ava DuVernay opens the minds of young women of color, all people of color, and just humans periods who have stories to tell. African Americans can look at DuVernay as a successful person who looks like them and tells the reality of the positives and negatives we encounter daily. She motivates people to dream and defines the validity of their aspirations.
Assata Shakur's 1977 conviction and later escape from prison made her an icon of black power. Her involvement in the resistance act was much deeper than marches, boycotts, protest, and sit-ins we are often shown. The inhuman acts of abuse and violence she endured by police and health professionals displayed and proved her reasoning for fighting in the race war we continue to encounter today. Shakur's advocacy for revolutionary changes reinforces how we must push through the oppressive walls that have been placed against us.
Mike Colter who stars as Luke Cage, the first black superhero in a Netflix series has become a huge success around the world. Evolving from a yellow hoodie to a dark hoodie pays a major tribute to Trayvon Martin as well as many black males in our society today. This show presents a double standard we are presented with daily. Being a black man in a hoodie or covering your head when it is cold or raining all of a sudden makes you a criminal in our world and puts your life in danger due to you being looked at as a danger to others. This show displays Luke Cage as a kind, loving, thick-skinned, and bulletproof black man in a positive manner. He permits black males everywhere to know that the clothes they wear does not define them. Mike Colter presents his success in a means where black males can accomplish all things and be the head of their households in a great way.
All three of these individuals have pressed forward and broke barriers down for people of color and the individuals our society claims to be minorities. They have exhibited the highs, lows, negatives, and positives of our culture and communities. The reality of our lives living as individuals of color is engaged through their films and works of art. I applaud and salute them all.
