African American 25W - Blog 4

 Blog 4

Emon van Loben Sels


My perspective on Black horror has changed after being a part of this course. I found Eve's Bayou especially interesting since it was eerie without the usage of typical horror characters.  Eve's conviction that she killed her father with a curse was tragic because it demonstrated how children frequently place the responsibility for things they don't fully comprehend on themselves. I was struck by how observational kids are.  I've seen countless cases where kids blame themselves for things that happen in their life that they have no control over. 

Another movie that truly caught my attention was Tales from the Hood. I enjoyed how it blended horror with contemporary themes such as racism and police brutality. It was a strong piece about the racist politician being attacked by the ghosts of the people he hurt. I liked the fact that justice was served. People like him frequently get away with their crimes in real life, but in films such as this, it is good to see that their actions pay a price. 

Wet Pain was really interesting because it showed racism as something that spreads quickly. Initially, Dean appeared to be a normal individual, but after relocating to his family's former home, he gradually suffered a change in his personality.   It was unsettling to observe how his surroundings shaped his resentment. The story became much more realistic by using its connection to Hurricane Katrina. It made me realize that racism isn't limited to specific people. 

Growing up, when I would watch a horror film, I would expect to see things such as monsters or killers. One of my favorite psychological horror films is The Sixth Sense, and it really got me scared. However, by watching films like these, the horror isn’t just the characters, but also the ideologies and principles involved. The films we have been discussing give us a better idea of racism and helps us really dive deeper on why, how, and when these types of issues occur. It also helps us understand that actions should have consequences, even if it’s not always like that in the real world. Horror isn’t just about making people scared, but is also a way to tell deeper stories about racism, justice, and history. These films and stories have made me think more about the real-life horrors that people face, and how horror as a genre can be a powerful way to explore those issues.

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