The Religious Issue
Vol. 5 Issue 1

Beloved Traditions
by Mia Spiral

  Beloved is a new release starring Oprah Winfrey and Danny Glover. It is a great, freaky movie . . . disturbing, deep, and long. It is more of a cinematic portrayal of an African-American folk tale than it is a Black History movie. Folk tales are often dark and frightening with multiple meanings and will gain more details with each generation that tells the tale. This film is based on a book that Oprah had read when she lost her baby at age 14 years. Oprah plays her part with expert character, making us forget who she is and believe in the story before us. The young women who co-star with her give stunning performances and deserve Academy awards. I was very impressed, through unsure I could withstand for a second viewing, the visual memories of the abuse the former slaves had endured. Otherwise, I would love to experience the overall eerie and haunting atmosphere of the whole film again and cry once more during the exhilarating spiritual scenes that moved me deeply. But enough of my movie review.

The day after seeing "Beloved," I listened to Howard Stern, which goes well with my usual cuppa joe. Interestingly enough, a KKK member rated the movie. He gave it "no burning crosses." He said black people were more savage than he thought because Oprah's character killed her babies. Well, she actually only killed one, though this is a bit confusing when watching.

So Robin (Stern's partner) said, "She did that to prevent her children from being raped and beaten like she was."

He said, "what do you mean?"

Stern Said, "they took her milk, man!"

"Took her milk?" he stupidly replied.

"He missed that part," Robin chortled.

"Raped and beaten? Those niggers had a roof over their heads and three meals a day, and all they had to do was work. Which is more than they do today!" the KKK freak retorted. The inane dialogue continued a bit longer.

As if it isn't bad enough to be raped and beaten, but our personal freedom is not even enough to defend with one's life as long as one gets three meals and shelter. Sounds a bit like old Russia, doesn't it? Certainly UnAmerican. . . I mean the ideals we are taught to cherish. . . I had forgotten or didn't want to remember that there were some really hateful, ignorant people still amongst us. . . How do these people come to be, when life experience and education has surely taught them the rich diversity of life?

I think it has partly to do with upbringing, like people who believe the Catholic upbringings without ever daring to question it's validity in today's environment. Accepting the common beliefs of their family and community like a blind patriot. Perhaps feeling an irrational sense of loyalty to a certain point of view, not wanting to betray all they have securely know as the truth. And I think it may have t do with not feeling good enough about one's self, therefore having a need to look down on others. The inferiority/superiority complex. Anyone who is oppressed and dominated by some form of authority has the potential to become oppressive and hungry for control once they gain freedom. If a child is taught to hate and that is how they receive approval and love, then the chances of continuing that behavior in adulthood are very high. It is difficult to get needs met as a child whose love is dependent on conditions and expectations. And a child who grows up from that type of family will seek that approval through the only means they understand. Sometimes a mind cannot be washed clean after years and years of this kind of nightmare.

Another theory I have about how racist people come to be is fear of what is different.

I believe that a certain amount of conformity is healthy and natural for all of live. In high school, I was often scorned for not conforming and people did not want to get to know me because of my strong expressions of my individuality. I also believe too much conformity puts expectations on people as a group that cannot be lived up to by the majority and that is how elitism forms. It is what Hitler wanted and what the military insists upon (granted, to make an efficient fighting force) and it is what society as a whole does much to do the chagrin of the more creative individuals. Realistically, not everyone can have the same qualities, and, besides, genetically that makes us a weaker human race.

Those who fear what is different cannot travel to other places without desperately trying to recreate their home town. They don't try different foods. They have a rigid way that is intolerant towards diversity. The hate is an empty hole that sucks in free-floating evil that is searching for a home. Once there, it feeds and grows. My intolerance of this ignorance is the frustration and helplessness that comes with the knowledge that enlightening or changing the minds of these people is most likely impossible. Sure enough, there are people out there that, with time experience, education, and reasoning, will come around and see a person and not just a color, who will want to listen and who will be moved to change. However, the KKK man on the radio is a representative of those who will go to their graves spreading hatred and fear like it's jam with their tea.