Let’s talk about blaxploitation in white cinema. The focus of this article will be Quentin Tarantino, one of the “greatest” critically acclaimed screenwriters and producers of his and our time. Blaxploitation is the exploitation of black stories produced by and for a white audience.
Tarantino received criticism for his excessive use of the n-word in his films. Although that is an issue within itself, when conducting my research on his films and responses to the criticism, I find his reaction to it very troubling. Tarantino is successful and rich today because of the Black and Eastern Asian characters and storylines he has created. The main plot of a lot of his stories is revenge with lots of violence. Django Unchained is a slavery revenge movie. Inglorious Bastards had a vengeful Jewish character taking revenge on the Nazis, “Jew Bear”. He also receives a lot of praise for his plot structure, interesting characters, and cinematic production. I won’t deny that Tarantino has inherently made movies of cinematic significance. I have even enjoyed some of his movies in the past. However, there is always room for criticism.
Art or Appropriation? Tarantino’s Use of Black Stories for Profit
Art is art. Artists who want to express themselves can do so however they please, yet the criticism is inevitable. Tarantino thinking the color of his skin should not affect his writing is something of a dream world that marginalized people wish was reality, “you wouldn’t think the color of a writer’s skin should have any effect on the words themselves.” He is right, it shouldn’t affect his writing, but it does. The world is controlled by race division. A division that heavily affects minorities daily. Using a word that has actively contributed to race division, more times than any other screenwriter ever has before, is going to create a stir.
I believe Tarantino heavily relies on rage-baiting for several of his movies. The shock factor of the violence, gore, harsh language, and untold revenge stories brings in most of his audience. His knowledge of cinema and production is what keeps the viewer’s attention.
In terms of blaxploitation, I believe Tarantino creates black characters without giving them racial depth. His characters live in somewhat of a dream scenario where white America has no effect on their presence in the public sphere by depoliticizing the black roles featured in his films. This is not to say that he does not show discrimination, but more so that he is only capable of writing black characters from a white perspective, making it more appealing to a general (often white) audience. Django Unchained gave depth to one black character (the protagonist) while seemingly presenting slaves as complacent. Historically, enslaved people did rebel, and while the movie is not a recollection of real history, Tarantino uses the realness of slavery for the plot of his spaghetti western.
Additionally, the character Stephen (played by Samuel L. Jackson) is one of the least favored characters in the whole movie. One of the only black characters who is not one-dimensional like Broomhilda (played by Kerry Washington), the ‘damsel in distress’. To make matters worse, when Spike Lee expressed his disdain for a comical representation of slavery, he was met with criticism from the media and black cast members of Django. Samuel L. Jackson officially announced that Tarantino is not racist. I guess if he said it then we might as well all believe it, right? Since one man speaks for a whole community. A man who has heavily profited from his roles in Tarantino’s movies. Tarantino himself earned millions from each film, yet does not give back to the communities he takes from.
Tarantino is by no means the only celebrity to not give back, nevertheless, his responses to the criticism have been nothing short of ‘if you don’t like it, don’t watch it…you don’t get it’. He did not fret from reminding black movie critics that they also earn money by criticising his shenanigans: “If you’ve made money being a critic in black culture in the last 20 years you have to deal with me […] You must have an opinion of me. You must deal with what I’m saying and deal with the consequences”. And considering his main profit is from POC characters, I think it’s fair to say he should give back to the Black community. In more ways than just letting people earn money off of his controversies…
Do I believe Tarantino is using Black culture for profit? Yes. His diverse casting is commendable. However, he has to cast diverse characters, otherwise his stories would be inherently racist. I believe we live in a society of awareness and being aware of what you are watching and supporting is key. Watch his movies or don’t, but inform yourself about why people are truly criticizing his work without being defensive for someone whose intentions you are unaware of.
I often watch, listen, or generally entertain controversial content just like many of us do. Something I always emphasize is needing to be aware of what you are consuming and the effects thereof. Choosing to be oblivious is your choice and something no one can take from you. Choosing to see what is really happening is power to the people and a right we have fought for. Use that right.
