I've seen surprisingly few diaries on DU here, so I thought I'd write one, partially also because I'm trying to work through my own thoughts. It's worthy of reflection simply because it will probably be the most popular film about slavery of all time. But it's doubly worthy of reflection because, as I think most people will realize, it's one of the most thoughtless films about slavery of all time. What does it mean about us that we, as a culture, are only able to encounter slavery through a film like this--that purifies us of our sins through a massacre that never can happen; and that leaves the audience without any awareness of their own contemporary participation in the effects of slavery? Anyway, I have three thoughts, I'd love to hear everyone else's too:
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