On 'Queen & Slim': Black Love & Shared Trauma
Disclaimer: There are light spoilers ahead.
As the credits rolled on Queen & Slim, I remained confined to my $12.85 faux leather movie seat due to high anxiety, experiencing classic symptoms like a lump in my throat, a slight queasiness in my belly, and racing thoughts. Why am I feeling this way after watching a movie meant to entertain me? Scanning the room, many other moviegoers also remained for reasons unknown to me. After several deep breaths, I was calm enough to leave.
Walking to my car, I'd hear commentary from other moviegoers that were riddled with frustration, hurt, and pain. One woman could be heard saying how "we never make it out alive." Another man questioned his partner, "Why you make me see this?" His genuine concern was felt on a spiritual level. My question was simple, "Why does mainstream black 'entertainment' regurgitate black pain?"
Instantly, I became pissed with myself for listening to Issa Rae and "rooting for everybody black". No, I don't have an axe to grind against Lena Waithe or Melina Matsoukas, two amazing creators who've worked extremely hard to secure their positions in Hollywood. However, I was disappointed in their creating cliche black cinema using black trauma, triggers, fears, and pain as the backdrop to promote the depths of intimate and community black love.
For those who've seen the film, you're aware that Queen and Slim met online and decided to have their first date at a local restaurant. Although the dialogue between the pair was cheesy, I remained hopeful that we, black folk, and our love stories would be represented lovingly and wholeheartedly. Listen, I'm not naive, I'm aware all stories require conflict, yet I wasn't prepared for depths the creators would go to emphasize this point.
The next scene is where Waithe began reaching for the low-hanging fruit of stereotypes and cliches, and black trauma. While driving, Queen and Slim were pulled over by a white, racist cop due to the latter's erratic driving, while arguing over a cliche issue, his phone. Of note, when the red and blue cops sirens were visible, a collective gasp filled the theater because many of us knew from experience what was going to happen next.
Our bodies knew too.
The effects of traumatic experiences live in our bodies, even when the event is long over. #PTSD
During the stop, it was apparent Slim was listening when given the "this is what you do when interacting with cops" talk, as he exercised extreme caution when interacting with the police. Queen had the stereotypical role of an "aggressive black woman", who disregarded the rules of engagement when interacting with police, which was due presumably to her background as a lawyer. Her actions unnecessarily escalated an already dire situation. Subsequently, Queen was shot by the officer, grazed by his bullet. Slim was able to fend off and kill the cop, which started the traumatic journey of Queen and Slim.
Stop.
For many black men and women, including myself, the very sight of the police can trigger anxiety and depression due to historical and present-day representation. Historically, they were "slave-catchers" and night watch. In the 1960's, they sprayed our grandparents with water hoses. Within the last 20 years, they've murdered Sean Bell, Tamir Rice, and Atatiana Jefferson. At this very moment, they are occupying our neighborhoods and utilizing tactics like stop and frisk, exerting their authority at any given moment. Why, in our two hours away from reality, must we confront our societal truths?
The remainder of the film saw Queen and Slim's relationship developed as they navigated various unrealistic encounters. There's no denying the pair's chemistry, which could be felt in the film's intimate scenes, like dancing at the hole-in-the-wall club or during their musty sex scene; however, it's important to highlight that their foundation was built on a shared traumatic experience, which is often confused with healthy compatibility.
We saw two people, on the run for murder, have this brief yet intense relationship while promoting this ride or die mentality, an ideology promoted in our music and films for decades, but has yet to serve the black community well.
To the dismay of moviegoers, Queen and Slim met their demise in a Cleo-Without-A-Gun-Set-It-Off style shooting scene, where the police exercised extreme force, later described as justifiable by news outlets because the couple was "armed and dangerous".
When the black community learned of their deaths, the black Bonnie & Clyde were viewed as martyrs and were given the traditional posthumous black martyr package, which consisted of their images printed on t-shirts, worn by black boys playing basketball, and the creation of a mural on a dilapidated city wall. I'm assuming some teddy bears and flowers found their way onto the helicopter runway, as its symbolism is essential when discussing black grief.
In the days following me viewing the movie, I ponder how the film Queen & Slim could've best represented black folk without preying on our ills and fears in the process. The answer was simple: It couldn't. This was a story that didn't require telling because the majority are aware of the systematic racism that exists within our legal system. We've encountered racist police and have witnessed dysfunctional black relationships, both within our community and personal lives. Why must we constantly relive these harmful truths in our entertainment?
There were minimal redeeming qualities in the storyline, and imagery, in this movie that spoke to healthy black love, neither with a partner nor self, which is a unique responsibility of both Waithe and Matsoukas, given their respective platforms.
Our stories deserve to be told in the most creative, authentic, edifying, and uplifting fashion. Unfortunately, this wasn't it.
In interviews, Lena boasted about white hands not touching this story, yet it was immersed in the white supremacist patriarchal capitalistic stereotypes that continue to harm us. How can I argue against our portrayal through a "white lens", when it's the "black lens" that continues to fail us. Black entertainment cannot continue to be rooted in shared trauma and there be an expectation of support because "at least we got beautiful chocolate black folk on the screen". The longer we continue to subscribe to this unhealthy narrative, and not hold our folk to higher standards, we'll forever be emotionally crippled.
xoNecole is always looking for new voices and empowering stories to add to our platform. If you have an interesting story or personal essay that you'd love to share, we'd love to hear from you. Contact us at submissions@xonecole.com.
Featured image via Tumblr
Phillip J. Roundtree is a mental health advocating, TedxTalk giving, controversial writing, multiple grad-school student loans owing, unapologetic, yet empathic, melanated man, who boxes depression and anxiety daily. Check him out at @phil_quadefy on IG and www.quadefyllc.net.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Sheila Rashid's Androgynous Approach To Unisex Clothing Is A Lesson In Embracing Individuality
The ItGirl 100 List is a celebration of 100 Black women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table.
For Sheila Rashid, it all started with some free-hand drawings and a few strokes of paint.
The Chicago-based clothing designer and creative director of Sheila Rashid Brand recalls using her spare time in high school to hand paint designs on t-shirts and distressed hoodies, distributing them to classmates as walking billboards for her art.
Rashid sought to pursue fashion design at Columbia College in Chicago but eventually took the self-taught route to build upon her knack for crafting one-of-a-kind, androgynous pieces.
Courtesy
Thanks to the mentorship of local designers taking her under their wings, Rashid was able to gain valuable experience in putting together collections and creating patterns; equipping her with them with the necessary skills to pursue her own collections.
After two years of living in New York, Rashid returned home to the Chi and uncovered the unique flair she could offer the city. “I moved to New York after that because I wanted to be in the fashion capital world,” she tells xoNecole. “That's when I really got a leg up. I found myself when I moved back to Chicago after moving to New York.”
For the Midwest native, inspiration comes from her time around creative peers and the city’s notorious winters — known to be a main character in many Chicagoans stories. “It's a different perspective and mindset when I'm making stuff because of the weather here,” she explains. “When we get summer, it’s ‘Summertime Chi’ — it's amazing. It's beautiful. Still, I find myself always making clothes that cater to the winter.”
"I moved to New York after that because I wanted to be in the fashion capital world. That's when I really got a leg up. I found myself when I moved back to Chicago after moving to New York.”
Courtesy
Many designers have a signature aesthetic or theme in their creations. In Rashid’s design story, dancing between the lines of femininity and masculinity is how she’s been able to distinguish herself within the industry. Her androgynous clothing has garnered the eye of celebrities like Zendaya, Chance the Rapper, WNBA star Sydney Colson, and more — showing her range and approach to designs with inclusivity in mind.
“I think I do reflect my own style,” she says. “When I do make pieces, I'm very tomboyish, androgynous. My work is unisex because I feel like everybody can wear it. I cater to everybody and that's how I try to approach my clothes.” From denim to overalls, and color-drenched outerwear, Rashid has mastered the structure of statement pieces that tell a story.
“Each collection, I never know what's going to be the thing I'm going to focus on. I try to reflect my own style and have fun with the storytelling,” she shares. “I look at it more like it's my art in this small way of expressing myself, so it's not that calculated.”
"My work is unisex because I feel like everybody can wear it. I cater to everybody and that's how I try to approach my clothes."
Courtesy
Still, if you were able to add up all the moments within Rashid’s 20-year career in design, one theme that has multiplied her into becoming an “ItGirl” is her confidence to take up space within the fashion industry as a queer, Black woman. “Being an ItGirl is about being yourself, loving what you do, finding your niche, and mastering that,” she says.
No matter where you are on your ItGirl journey, Rashid says to always remain persistent and never hesitate to share your art with the world. “Don’t give up. Even if it's something small, finish it and don't be afraid to put it out,” she says, “It's about tackling your own fear of feeling like you have to please everybody, but just please yourself, and that's good enough.”
To learn more about the ItGirl 100 List, view the full list here.
Featured image Courtesy