Watchmen, a Black History Lesson

Presented by: Jacob Melvin

 

Jacob Melvin writes, “Over the past few years, the genres of Science Fiction and Horror have been carrying the torch for social commentary concerning racism. Works such as Get Out, Us, Antebellum, and Lovecraft Country all lead to meaningful discourse meant to inspire conversation and, to some degree, social change. While forward thinking and necessary, another series is actually using the genre to teach the underreported past.

 

“Watchmen, Damon Lindelof’s retelling of Alan Moore’s famous comic, paints an alternate reality of history. The story features superheroes treated as outlaws, an incredibly complex plot spanning decades and dimensions, and a world where science, religion, and immortality converge. Amid these bold choices, however, is a backstory rooted in a shocking piece of history: The Tulsa Massacre. Most people are unaware of Black Wall Street, the burning of Tulsa, and the history regarding Ta-Nehisi Coates’ famous article, The Case for Reparations. There are numerous other examples, such as Bass Reeves and the KKK spin-off, Cyclops, yet none of this is common knowledge (or even taught) in today’s America. Perhaps the whitewashing of history books is to blame, but the series is able to bring to light these important historical tragedies in a way that educates the viewer and encourages further research.”

 

Join Jacob Melvin for a presentation on this HBO series.