There has been a trend lately in the media about the history and the appreciation of black culture and black people. On Instagram there are now tons of black pride accounts to show love to the different shades of black people to the knowledge of our history. From the music scene, for example, is Beyoncé's recent song "Formation" speaking upon black social issues such as police brutality and the lasting affects of Hurricane Katrina. In the Hollywood scene, actors, actresses and directors are taking a stand due to the lack of diversity in the Oscars. Another example would be the black community coming out with protests about the mistreatment and murders of young and older black women and men. One of the newest insights to add is the new show "Underground," coming in March. I attended a screening at Clark Atlanta's campus at the student center to watch the first episode of "Underground," and it was absoulely amazing. Here are the reasons why you should definitely watch this show:
1. Putting A Face With History
As we learned in our history classes in elementary through high school, brought up constantly in every Black History Month, the underground railroad was never explained in depth about how slaves and Harriet B. Tubman had started it. It was just a tale of slaves trying to run for their freedom. As stated in Historynet.com, "It was established in the early 1800s and aided by people involved in the Abolitionists Movement. The underground railroad helped thousands of slaves escape bondage. By one estimate, 100,000 slaves escaped from bondage in the South between 1810 and 1850. Aiding them in their flight was a system of safe houses and abolitionists determined to free as many slaves as possible, even though such actions violated state laws and the United States Constitution." In the show "Underground" we can put faces to the slaves that we learned about in school and to see the hardships and challenges they had to face on a daily basis of being a slave and trying to obtain freedom.
To help the story come alive are some amazing talent from the cast such as, Jurnee Smollet-Bell, seen from movies like Eve's Bayou and Roll Bounce, she plays one as of the main characters who is a house slave named Rosalee. Aldris Hodge from Straight Outta Compton who played as MC Ren and plays as Noah, a field slave that has the plan to run for freedom. There are other actors and actresses such as, Alano Miller as Cato, Christopher Meloni as August Pullman, and many others. The chemistry with all the actors and actresses is marvelous as you can't look away when even the most uncomfortable moments happen. The chemistry between Jurnee Smollet- Bell and Aldris Hodge is its own fire to watch as in the first episode we see that a special connection might be brewing for the season, especially when Aldris Hidge takes off his shirt and reveals a quite impressive pack of abs.
3. Respect
When watching "Underground" you get a sense of respect for the characters in this show. Seeing different views for each person and having a connection with each one. In the show, Roselee says, "It doesn't matter that I am in the big house and sleep in a bed, we are all still slaves." So, we as an audience can also see the struggles that people had inside the house as well in the fields. The happy and exciting moments can quickly turn into a feeling of your heart dropping to your stomach. In just this first episode we can already can get a glimpse on how our ancestors were on edge for their lives everyday.
As the show "Underground" airs in March, I highly predict it to be a hit as this is something that the world as never thought of to see what it looked like to be a slave that fought for freedom. It's very exciting and gripping from the beginning as the show opens to Kanye West's song "Black Skinhead." It's going to be an amazing ride to freedom.
