African American 25W - Blog 6

 This week’s material really changed the way I see horror. The Keeper and The Devil in America helped me realize even more that horror can also tell deeper themes about things such as trauma, history, and survival. These stories showed real struggles that people, mainly Black people, have faced in the past. 

I really connected with The Keeper because Aisha’s situation reminded me of times when I take on responsibilities in life that I’m not ready for. I’ve never lost a loved one like she did, but I know the strong feeling of having to be strong when you don’t feel content. The idea of the Keeper protecting her really made me think. It made me realize that people sometimes take the easier route in life to feel comfortable. People like to be comfortable and always rely on it to feel “happy.”

The story also touched on fear of the system, which made me think of my own family. My grandparents never fully trusted everything that happened around them, and I didn’t understand why until I got older. As I grew up, I realized that they had these views because of experiences they went through. Seeing Aisha’s grandmother warn her not to ask for help made me think about how these fears get passed down through generations.

The Devil in America hit really deep for me. Easter made a mistake, but ended up making a deal with the devil that ruined everything. That reminded me of a time when I tried to help a friend, and it backfired in a way I never expected. The ending was especially shocking when we realized she and her brother had been turned into dogs. I did not expect an ending like this, and I thought it could’ve had a better ending. 

One thing that surprised me was how much real history is in Black Horror. I never thought about horror as a way to explore trauma and memory until this week. Beloved also showed how characters such as ghosts, can represent grief and historical pain. Horror isn’t just about being scared, but is a way to tell stories that need to be told. I really enjoyed this week's content, even though this week’s material was heavy. It made me think about horror in a new way, and I feel like it will help me with my final project. I used to see horror as just entertainment, but now I am seeing it as something much more powerful.

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