#sunken place

[oursunkencity]

For starters...

I have to admit, I am not much of a horror fan. As a matter of fact, I can’t watch a horror film by myself because I usually end up turning it off because I am that much of a scaredy-cat. However, I plan on working to change that since I am in Professor Due’s class titled The Sunken Place. During this week’s lectures, we discussed the concepts and themes from the movie Get Out by Jordan Peele. 

But before I get into some of the things I learned, I want to touch on the first time I watched the film. I watched Get Out the second week of its release at the Nokia Center in downtown Los Angeles on a Tuesday because the tickets were discounted. In retrospect, it was the perfect time and place as the movie was filled with gasps, cuss words, and incredible commentary from the crowd. The movie theater was packed with people of color, and in so many ways, I felt we were a part of a big point in history as some of the blatant racism that was projected on that screen reflected real-life horror. After taking this class, I have come to find, yes, it was a big point in history, as Peele has revolutionized Black horror in the 21st century. 

One apparent theme I found interesting, as it is a term I had never heard of, is liberal racism. In reference to the movie, liberal racism can be described as the biases and set of behaviors the white people in the film display in their attempts not to appear racist. For example, in the party scene, some of the white people gawk over Chris, the film's protagonist, and make outlandish comments about his physical features and some of his abilities due to his Blackness. This is something that I have experienced in the past (and will probably continue to experience), that is, neoliberal people, making comments to try to relate to me. However, it comes off as forced and offensive because it sounds like their knowledge of Black culture comes straight from media outlets. These people state they are progressive and are trying to bridge the gap between racism, but do not take the time to develop cultural competency. I get it, it’s hard to navigate these conversations if you don’t have any friends who are not the same race as you. But make an effort! Because quite frankly, I am forced to “make the effect” through assimilation into a culture that was not made for me nor very accepting of me. 

Assimilation and isolation are other themes that we discussed in class. An excellent example of assimilation is code-switching, and we witness Chris switch on his “white voice” for Rose’s parents and the partygoers and switch back when he speaks to his best friend, Rod. Since I started at UCLA in the summer, I feel like I’ve had to toggle between the way I talk even more so than I have before. Doing so is pretty mentally taxing and has left me confused. At one point, I questioned whether or not I knew how I usually spoke because I have done it so many times with various groups of people that I feel like I lost a part of myself. Like, what is the genesis of my code-switching? I don’t even know how long I have been doing this! Which makes me think of one of my interpretations of the sunken place. When Chris fell into the darkness, I felt that moment could represent moments similar to what I experienced while assimilating into the dominant cultural norms. There I am, trying to speak clearly and in a way that sounds “normal” for the dominant culture. I’m also carefully navigating the conversation to not say anything offensive or “off-brand.”  However, at the same time, I am inauthentic and, in turn, feel isolated because I don’t really feel like I am being my authentic self as I am watching myself perform for these people. The same truth is that I don’t feel like I could ever stop code-switching, and these feelings may develop into a more significant issue. But for now, I have to remain in “our sunken city.”

[blackhorrorsunkenplace]

Blog Post #1!

Wow, so after watching Get Out, a horror and thriller of a movie I was shocked, and honestly better put, shook. This movie was heavy, and learning some of the symbols and expecting them helped me understand it more. Normally, whenever I watch a movie, I am truthfully not ever watching too much for symbols. Usually when I watch a movie it is for fun, and I am truly not watching too much for themes, symbols, or asking myself why the director and producer wrote what they did. So, when I was watching Get Out by Jordan Peele, it was a little bit of a wake-up call. With all honesty, I had to watch the movie twice because I truly do not think I received as much as I truly could have after the first time I had watched the movie. With that said, I feel like I was able to pick up much more the second time with a completely new perspective and perception of what I had just watched. 

The two main themes I gleaned from this movie are simply the themes of first, racism, and second, exploitation. These two themes go rather hand in hand, but also can be viewed in different perspectives and that is why I want to address them. Throughout this film, we were able to see life a little bit through the lens of Chris, and just a glimpse of what it feels like to struggle in a place where you feel like you are in a place where people look at you differently or simply look at you differently because of your appearance. And as well as that, in terms of exploitations, I mean the people in the community Chris was in were quite literally exposing black bodies for their benefit. 

Moreover, a concept that I believe is imperative to discuss is that of the “white gaze”. This was, unfortunately prevalent throughout the entirety of the film, and the reason in which I use the word unfortunately is because the fact that it was present throughout the film means it is present in society as well. I have never experienced it personally, but I believe it exists. A lot of times “black bodies” as the movie in a sense portrayed it, are objectified, a truly disturbing idea to think about. One of my closest friends resonated with this, and I was truly embarrassed to even hear that someone, a fellow human, would feel that way. We as a society, as people, should never, under no circumstance whatsoever, make people feel “objectified” or just any different from anyone else because of the way they were born or their appearance. 

We as a society simply need to do better and that is the main takeaway that I took from this movie. I am glad that I watched this movie, twice, and was able to pick up on the various symbols and themes that Jordan Peele presented to us. I believe that in the future I will be more cognizant of things like this, and I am glad to say this, although I may be quite embarrassed.

[daughterofdessalines]

Kamala has been serving “sunken place” energy lately…. 😒

[onlybuilt4expensivetaste]

Lotta shit happening in astral… 🙃

[ef-1]

insane rant under the cut 🫶

Daniel is obviously going through a #moment right now so I can't really speak for the other reputation era cullings (unfollowing people) but the only one I have 0 doubts about is Zak. like imagine having the kind of temperament & patience that would put saints to shame, playing the: no, it's fine. I'm unscathed, it's all business, I get it, the entirety of my career is just collateral damage and I’ll take that in stride and its fine!!!!!! part so! Well! Like!!!! Down to a T and your wretched, fugly fucking nightmare of an ex-boss won't shut up about you, wont stop making sly, unnecessary comments unprompted- when discussing his own drivers, when discussing other teams, when discussing other fucking racing series. And you've been gone for 9 months and it's fine. You're determined to make it fine even when it's not. You're fine because it's a cut-throat sport. You're fine because you HAVE to be fine, there was never an alternative. Fine is survival. You're fine because you've been through this before (except you haven't) when you left Red Bull and Christian, jilted, said [and these are direct quotes despite how insane they seem]

“I have to admit it’s kind of been like trying to convince a girl to go out with you that’s been pretty reticent. It’s felt like that." <insane btw

“In the end we gave Daniel everything he wanted and asked for and it still wasn’t enough.”

“We’ve bent over backwards to make it happen"

And Christian said all of that while you still had 4 more months with Red Bull left. And Christian was legitimately scorned (and, terribly, he may even had the right to be because he asked you to drive him on his wedding day and he bought your nephew the same car he bought his son and he still calls your wins his favourite races), he told people as much, probably let on more than he intended to when he told the media that you told him you’re leaving A DAY before renault anounced your contract, and the proposition was so preposterous he thought you were provoking him. And he said you're running from a fight and he snidely said he still doesn't understand why you left in 2018 and 2019 and 2020 and 2021 and 2022 (<no this is not a joke) but Christian also congratulated you when you ended Renault’s 10 year podium drought, said the podium is where you belong. He congratulated you on your second podium even though that race ended in a dnf for Max and Alex finished last.

You’re fine because you’ve been through this before (except you haven’t) when you left Renault. Cyril doesn’t speak to you for weeks after the announcement is made and when he does speak TO you and ABOUT you it’s acrimonious. But his vitriol is laced with praise, he tells the media you’ll regret leaving a team which has been made more competitive by your own labours and when you’re out of his team and he’s out of the sport he meets up with you to deliver on a drunken bet made in 2019.

And you're media trained, and chillingly diplomatic for someone with such a carefree brand and you wear the horrors so fucking well, you wear it elegantly, with grace. And you shake hands and you smile when you’re supposed to and everything is made fine by the sheer force of will. Until you’re injured. Actually injured, less than 24 hours after you told the media that you didn’t need the break, that you were sick with this ubiquitous eagerness to be back all throughout summer. And you’re out again. And all your fugly fucking rat of an ex boss had to do was not use the injury that will put you out for at least 3 weeks as a vicious one liner to undermine someone else. I have no doubt that’s what did it for him :))))))

[false-savior]

funny

[domono08]

Sabel gets sent to the sunken place!

[sojutrait]

RAT !!!

o yeah and my character shes important too ig

[nepotisim]

[whatsnewalycat]

I’m listening to the audiobook Out There Screaming: An Anthology of New Black Horror, and the foreword is by Jordan Peele.

He talks about how some time ago he became obsessed with oubliettes, which are these deep, narrow dungeons with a small entry/exit point at the very top. They’re shaped like a bottle essentially, hence the epithet bottle dungeon. This shape makes it almost impossible for prisoners to do anything but stand there until they inevitably die. And when a prisoner died, nobody would retrieve their body, they would be left to rot. Next prisoner just went in with the remains. Notably, the English meaning of oubliette is “to forget” which is fitting.

He explains that oubliettes would typically be built near the kitchen and/or dining room, so that people inside it would smell delicious food and hear the commotion of parties, while they screamed for help to no avail and slowly perished. This is where the idea of “the sunken place” comes from in Get Out. Being trapped in a dungeon, completely stripped of one’s own will, bearing witness to people going on with life around you while you scream and scream, but nobody hears you. And then you’re forgotten.

Anyway just thought that was neat and wanted to share. Also this book is rad as fuck, check it out 🥰🖤

[oursunkencity]

We Gon' Be Alright

The biggest flex this quarter has been telling my family and friends how awesome this class has been and sharing all the dope work of artists, musicians, and authors we’ve reviewed. I usually start by telling them my interpretation of Afrofuturism, as if I were giving them an elevator pitch. I explain how Black artists often highlight the problems of modern society, such as racism, prejudice, capitalism, and so forth, and sprinkle it with elements of magic, sci-fi, and fantasy to make the horrors of it all more digestible for views. Some of the works will present ways of addressing or providing solutions to breaking the injustices. The magical elements are also a form of escapism from the darkness of the world. I also explain that the Black community continues to experience ill sentiment and treatment, and sci-fi and magical elements are ways that Black artists can dream up ways to be saved from them. I then start naming some of the movies, songs, and books we’ve discussed in class. I enjoyed reviewing music videos by Kendrick Lamar, Childish Gambino, Solange, Beyoncé, Miles Davis, Janelle Monaé, and Alabama Shakes, to name a few, that had different elements of Afrofuturism in their music videos. Each artist has not only acknowledged a wide array of social and political issues a lot of us know so well, but they have also reflected on the issues within themselves and that they are going through that the audience can relate to easily. This has shown me the power of art and how we can relate to one another through its powers. 

I usually start by discussing Lamar’s music video for his song “Alright,” as most people know the song, which was essentially the anthem for the Black Lives Matter movement. The beginning of the video sheds light on the state of American culture and the Black experience as viewers are shown images of chaos, such as violence, alcohol, money, and police brutality. These images were coupled with elements of magic, such as the cops holding up a car, Lamar flying, and rapping on the street lamp. Like Monaé and Childish Gambino’s videos, dance in “Alright,” is a form of technology used as a form of liberation. We see the people having a great time dancing throughout each video in the face of chaos and hardship. Numerous dark and cynical things play out in the world, but the use of dance to showcase how we can combat it all, and in so many ways, symbolizes resilience within the Black community. 

Lamar flies throughout the video as he describes his thoughts of depression coupled with images of the challenging and depressing nature of the Black experience in America. I interpreted Lamar flying the video as a sign of the liberation some receive in faith in God and one’s community. While the world seems chaotic and violent, there is power in love and trust, and some hold in God, as I believe there, God would not dish anything out he didn’t think we could handle. Furthermore, there is power in numbers, which is another solid point I interpreted from viewing the video, both in the sense of combatting injustices, and when surrounded by those who love and support us, there isn’t anything we cannot do. The video “Alright” has prompted an incredible amount of hope in our world, and it’s no wonder why it is the anthem of our time as it shows what’s going on right now and how one man can spread feelings of positivity and happiness to remind us that everything is going to be alright. I can’t tell y’all how many times my eyes have welted up in tears, knowing that there’s hope in this world. 

[blackfilmmakers]

Im sorry but am I the only one that got irked when Miles painted Gwen in the middle instead of his uncle? 😭

BRUH I FORGOT ABOUT THIS!!!!!

[incandescent-light-thoughts]

I don't want a boyfriend I just want a sunken living room

[leahthedreamer]

Ice dance is so funny because for what reason are Katerina and Daniel below Dianna and Gleb make it make sense

[sassykinzonline]

if you saw me drunk yesterday no you didnt