Get Out
(My very personal
viewpoint of the movie)
There are some movies that inspire fear, joy, laughter,
deep thought and questions. I am and have always been an independent,
analytical thinker and although my love of art transcends many genres, the
movies have always been a favorite of mine since I was very young. I am an
artist, so I understand where inspiration and creativity come from and some of
the most creative ideas are inspired by the Artist's perception of his environment.
It is what shapes an idea, in other words the creation comes from the mind of
the artist but it is inspired by the spiritual conception of his or her
viewpoint. Some of my most creative works I know has the anointing of The Most
High. As a human being I know my capabilities of creativity and yet I also
recognize when I have been inspired by something more.
I have always loved
horror, thriller and psychological dramas and of course add in my sense of
humor and the movie "Get Out" has all of these in spades. However, it
had just enough comedy not to make the movie appear corny. It was as if Jordan
Peele anticipated when it was time to draw back the audience from the intensity
of the emotions felt from the scary moments in the movie to allow us to take a
breath and then continue. My perception of the movie was more of a spiritual
analysis. I did not view it from the literal comprehension of the movie, or
from the individual standpoint of a protagonist (hero) or antagonist (villain).
I saw the situations and the plot in a much more
analytical and broader scope than the movie suggests. Although, it may not have
been what Peele intended it to be, it is what I visualized in my mind from what
I know of history, my views on race in this country and my own personal
experiences.
So, here is my viewpoint from my mind's eye of the movie.
For me, Get Out was the representation of the ills of a
racist society from two perspectives, the African American experience and the
White American experience, this was quite evident. Each character portrayal in
the movie represented the collective thought processes of the mindset of a
group of peoples. Chris is of the mindset of a portion of African Americans who
are idealist. Although this is not a bad thing, it isn't very realistic. He
believes in a post racial society where racism does not exist and trusting that
everyone has the potential for kindness, his mental guard is completely down
and he has no sense of personal danger, even when all the signs are obvious.
Georgina, Walter and Andre are the representation of African Americans who have
completely assimilated into white culture with little or no resemblance of
their former selves, in essence they are void of their own culture and thought
processes. The three cops, who happened to be African American (which I believe
was no accident) is represented of the portion of African Americans who are
asleep, they have become complacent with the status quo. They have no notion of
their history, in fact they don’t even care to listen to the revelations and
knowledge of what is really happening to them right up under their very noses.
They are dismissive and do not take seriously the warning signs of those who
are awake and they are oblivious to what should be perceptible truths. This is
why they did not take to heart Rod’s claims and received it as a joke.
Rod is representative of the growing, but still
relatively small number of African Americans who are conscious, who understand
their history and the pride that accompanies it. They are very much aware that
racism exists and who the practitioners are. They have developed the necessary skill-set to understand how to navigate in a society that has a history of
suppression and hatred towards them. They recognize the need to be vigilant,
always on alert, unified and they proudly pass this knowledge down to their
children, so that they do not suffer the burden of mental demoralization and generational
damage white supremacy can wreak on the mind of the oppressed.
The tactic of repression by hypnosis that the mother used
on Chris is the organized conditioning of almost four centuries of oppression
and suppression. This systemic destruction of a people's mental and natural
instincts to thrive and grow through knowledge, opportunity and economic growth
is forged through psychological and physical roadblocks put in place to impede
their progress. When Chris went into the sunken place it is a systemic lulling
asleep of the mind of African Americans to make them docile and conditioned to
be controlled and coerced into a false sense of stability and dominion over
their lives. The result of this conditioning is Chris was completely under the
control and will of the mother, just as African Americans have been under the
system of white supremacy. Once incapacitated, he was neutralized and in a
position to be used for whatever hidden agenda they had planned for him.
How was Chris able to overcome and defeat his tormentors?
He came to recognize and understand the dangers that threaten his life. Through
wit and psychological warfare he knew he had to reverse the conditioning by
plugging up his ears. In other words, cut off the brainwashing and propaganda
techniques being fed to him through the TV and the hypnotic trance the mother
had on his mind. He had to escape the sunken place that held him mentally
captive. Finally, interestingly enough to save his life Chris came to
understand that it was "The Light" of his camera that ultimately
brought the consciousness of Andre and Walter back to themselves. What is the
light? In my opinion, it is the
representation of The Most High’s spirit....the awakening and then salvation,
and finally the enlightenment of who they are!
I believe the whole cast of white characters was the
culmination of representing white supremacy. It is the collective attitudes,
the stereotypes, and the subconscious desire of wanting to covet the essence
that is innate in African Americans. At
the same time the embodiment of a deep spiritual hatred (for some) and envy
(for others) that they have towards African Americans because of the soulful nature
they do not possess themselves. When Rose smiled as Chris was choking her, it
revealed the sinister resolve she had in his destruction at any cost, even if
it meant her death. She also knew he still cared for her. If Chris killed her
she knew she would still win because he would spend the rest of his life in
prison.
Why didn't Chris kill her? Was he still in love with her
or did he realize her life was not worth him losing his own? Did Chris learn
anything from this experience? Would you?
Rod was the embodiment of the saying: "I am my
brother's keeper."
I do not believe that this movie is without its lessons
for White people as well. It is to recognize that part of them that is racist,
to dig deep in that obvious place inside and acknowledge that those feelings of
fear and attitudes are there. To acknowledge that their history is a barbaric
and bloody one and they are and have been responsible for many of the
atrocities in this world and to own up to it. Do I believe all White people are
racist, of course not! But I do believe that most White people have become
complacent and easily comfortable in a position of sticking their heads in the
sand and closing their eyes to their history, then as well as now. I'm sure it
is not an easy realization to accept and more than likely a very painful
revelation to acknowledge the truth of their history, but as in all matters of
the heart it is necessary for the healing.
This movie begs its audience to be honest within them, to
dig down deep and deal with the inadequacies of human frailty. To empathized
with the plight, despair and culpable fears of others who don't look like you. To
understand that in order to overcome the ills of society there needs to be an
honest dialogue about race in this country. We need to be able to face the
horrors of what scares us. White people need to discuss why do they hate? What
are they really afraid of when they look into the face of African Americans and
other minorities? Why is our life any less valuable than anyone else? When the
answers to these questions can be brought to the forefront with the hope of
solutions, then I believe the evil tides of racism can be eliminated forever.
Hopefully in time, we can learn to do more than just get along.
By the way, kudos to the director and writer of this
film....Jordan Peele, phenomenal job!
