THEM Is For the White Gaze (Amazon Prime Series) | @Jouelzy

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[@jouelzy]

Video w Dammit Wesley on THEM on Patreon www.patreon.com/posts/51176577

[@ruvonnehills2304]

I don't think it would matter the tone of the black person. It was all of us under this regime.

[@inpursuit6666]

It's the idea that the white man or woman is damaged & wounded.. hence why they behave the way in which they do. It's almost justification because the white audience then sympathetizices with the human qualities of the white characters. White people make movies & series like this for other white people. Child. Ain't nobody got time.

[@myrtle1234]

Ain’t no white people watching that sorry show. If it was made for the “white gaze” it has failed miserably. Dang, stop being lead around by corporations getting a payday off playing to your paranoia.

[@13579hee]

Can we talk about how they know how to cast Dark skinned actors when they wanna terrorize them 😑

[@essencekk]

🎯🎯🎯

[@Kluermoi]

Omg!!! This!!!!!! Exactly!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Shaykre19]

FACTS!!

[@serenity6831]

THANK YOU! after episode 2 I was like why do we only ever see ourselves in the most extreme, horrific cases of violence.

[@TheMichelex20]

Facts!!!!!!

[@earthtoinez]

In “The Shining” the book the black character, Mr. Hallorann, did not die. As a matter of fact he was the hero of the story and served as a father figure to the little boy after his father went nuts and died. They just couldn’t handle portraying the story like it was written…

[@JB4C89]

Didn't know that!

[@acosiak6191]

This is true. I remember reading the novel. Stephen King is very masterful with his story telling. The film was produced in the mid 1970s. They were walking the fence with this one. Only exploitation genre films of that decade crossed racial lines.

[@divadee04ds]

I thought she said she read it too! If so how'd she get that wrong 🤔🤔

[@user-yb1zq5sw6r]

if you watched doctor sleep he was a father figure..

[@iwasbornunderwater]

It's always interesting to me how white directors have their hands all over "black art" but you never see much of the other way around. Often you see a black director - you akreadh know it'll be a "black show"..

[@itslonda4157]

Right!! Like the nerve of these producers and directors trying to make us think this a black production when it’s actually a white show made by white people for the white gaze with a sprinkle of help from a couple of black creatives.

[@krenee984]

So interesting nugget! And you can easily verify this--david matthews is biracial. White Jewish mother abandoned him and he grew up in Harlem with his black father. He wrote a memoir about it called Ace of Spades.

[@jasonk2818]

"black art"? Run out of cans of spray paint?

[@walkinthewoods981]

Yesss!!!!

[@rejectionisprotection4448]

@@krenee984 That says it all. I wonder if he would've been involved if his mother was Black.

[@ChocoBeauty8]

I haven't watched Them or Antebellum because of the various reviews that said it was black trauma porn. I feel like over the last couple years the only movies staring black folks have plots about black trauma. I believe I am suffering from racial fatigue with the constant bombarding of racial tension and black death.

[@d.shidon]

🙌🏽

[@moonflowerspeaks]

I seen the show. Yes it is black horror porn. Racial issues are very accurate with the torture and murder than history books do not address

[@rhondaherbert9282]

And these actors arent black Americans either

[@TJ-um8ce]

🙌🏾 💯 I don’t let my kids watch anything anymore cause all they doin is stoking racial ish and telling them they gonna always be oppressed and that there’s nothing they can do about it unless Whytepeople GIVE it to them.

[@aishahb8336]

I haven't watched THEM because honestly i can't partake in fictional Black trauma when there is already so much IRL Black trauma. Also, unrelated but I love your shoulder tattoo, it's gorgeous

[@awkwardblacktribe2100]

Amen!

[@curiousboy88]

Agreed. Same why I couldn't get pass episode one of When They See Us. We're not removed from that violence IRL.

[@Touch2Love]

this was a different portrayal of trauma and creatively done. support black story telling.

[@domination6585]

I keep telling other blacks this but they continue to feed into this because iTs ReALiStiC

[@ToriUptown]

her tattoo is amazing

[@WeezyJeffersonYo]

I do think it's important for people to know the abhorrent things done to black people in this country beyond slavery. People always want to say "slavery was 400 years ago get over it, my family didn't own slaves" but nobody wants to talk about Jim Crowe, redlining, predatory lending, and all the other trauma that was occurring just 40 years ago and if it was a small-time it was happening even in the 80s. With that said this, this series was wonky as hell and I didn't enjoy it. 🥴

[@hisneknvd]

thank you for saying this. people don’t get it.

[@char08fal]

No, we get it. We’re just tired of it. There’s also beauty in Black culture and it should be displayed beyond rap music

[@domination6585]

@@hisneknvd this comment essentially saying tht this BLACK show isn’t for BLACK ppl. Where can black ppl go to escape without being traumatized by slavery racism stereotypes misogynoir n more?

[@annoyedbyyourface]

@@char08fal Exactly! Especially if you see THEM reviews, you noticed none of the white and non-Black viewers actually feel bad about Black history because of the show. No, they either knew of it already OR were lucky enough to feel removed from the show which is BIG ISSUE. And I just love how some Black people think that are "so special" because they are desensitized to seeing other Black people suffer in horrible ways. Like, get a damn life already lol.

[@jasondaniels1437]

It was wonky alright. Just replace the ‘w’ with an ‘h’.

[@sevensides1732]

“them” felt like a collective, psychological attack on the black psyche. how season one ended was unnecessary. they dug at a wound so deep throughout the show and left it OPEN with that ending.

[@Touch2Love]

it's open now IRL

[@sevensides1732]

@@Touch2Love i agree.

[@domination6585]

@@Touch2Love so? Can black ppl get a good ending from the ENTERTAINMENT industry? Wen do black ppl get a break?

[@rawminimalist9043]

It was traumatizing. They created a psychological thriller off of black wounds for real.

[@TheTeresamori]

I’m not black I identify as indigenous Latina, I found this unbearable. Having watched terror all my life this felt like torture porn. I was waiting for people to review this because no one was talking about this in this way.

[@kaylakookiebackbydawn]

I feel like Waithe's desire to self-position her work as profound in the black cannon is what leads to it falling flat. Like you described here, I also watch her stuff through the lens that she creates in her press runs. She rarely lives up to it. If she didn't set these expectations, her work would just be something folks don't prefer. But her goals end up making it problematic in the context of what she claims to be doing.

[@erinlb259]

Lol she needs to be defunded. Who keeps giving her the green light to make these things

[@zgurl94]

@@erinlb259 whytes 😂

[@zgurl94]

I don’t think Waithe always does the mental work that should be involved with making films and shows that center black struggles/trauma. And I’ve gotten the feeling that many streaming platforms and networks are willing to throw money at the same well known black creators just so they can say “see, we care about Black people” without really giving a shit about the content that these creators produce. I think that her work has potential, but like you said, it falls flat.

[@annoyedbyyourface]

THIS! I felt the way after watching season 1 of The Chi.

[@LoneWulf278]

SO well said!! 👏🏾👏🏾😂

[@BL-ur2sc]

The rape and murder in the same scene and episode had me pissed that I watched it at night. Couldn’t sleep with that on my conscience. Won’t ever watch it again. Made me cry and I don’t cry much.

[@Laura-sg6ss]

The scene ... my heart..😪

[@B.Alanyse]

I fell asleep before that episode and my boyfriend stayed up and kept watching. When I got up and ran it back to see what I missed he told me, no babe don’t watch that episode. I’m pregnant with our child and he knows my past trauma as well and he just warned me of what happened and that was bad enough. I know I couldn’t have stomached it if I saw it. Hearing all the reviews about it I’m glad I skipped that one.

[@aishahunt]

Yes me too, absolutely hated it! Wish I would have thought to check out the reviews before wasting time on this series

[@sr-pz7gp]

can someone inform me? I’m not willing to watch

[@user-hf3tc3su1b]

@@sr-pz7gp So basically that crazy white woman and her two sons intruded into Lucky’s home (because she wanted her son Chester, the baby). She told one of her sons to get lucky and rape her. So he did it and while he was doing it, the crazy white woman took her child and hit his head on the floor and lucky witnessed all that while being raped. It was a traumatic episode tbh

[@Kluermoi]

I didn’t like this show at all. Didn’t get pass episode 2 because it just felt unnecessary. In my opinion it’s worst than antebellum. Like I just don’t think we should make up horror stories about discrimination or slavery. Like tell the truth on what happened instead of trying to make this terrible real life stain that white people created a genre in entertainment. Are they trying to desensitize us from feeling that this ish really happened or want us to never get over it, while telling us to get over it? ...Just give me my reparations and go. Now since they just can’t seem to stop making these type of black horror movies and just have to include how disgustingly we have been treated. Make a horror movie where the slave masters are actually demons, the racist whites are vampires and black people are demon hunters and we go around killing them and free the world from their hold. ...By the way love your tattoo, it’s so colorful ❤️❤️❤️ & great commentary as usual. I don’t think I’ve ever disagreed with you EXCEPT when you said Da baby is cute lol 😂 😂😂

[@tamaracharese]

I would watch that film.

[@Jonesybabie]

I want to be an extra 🙋🏾‍♀️

[@lsweetberriesl]

...that’s the start of a script right there.

[@sherrylynn3304]

I dont believe that WE are the ones they are trying to desensitize. They dont give a damn how we feel. They are trying to desensitize white people. All black movies and tv shows are aimed at indoctrinating or mind control of white people. In this instance to many white people are protesting black lives matter, protesting against unfair and unequal justice in the courtroom and unfair treatment by cops and they are discussing it in their forums and the powers that be dont like it. This us one of the many tactics to put a stop to it.

[@lyrablack8621]

@@sherrylynn3304 THANK YOU. Literally why the fuck is damn near _every_ movie set in the past about white saviors?? I mean we know why, it's what you just said. But it's infuriating

[@m.e.a.n.y]

Jouelzy, it has to be said that THAT shade of blue is oh-so flattering on you

[@TheodoreBakes]

Yess and with the gold jewelry too! Love it!

[@santanavirtuosa]

Absolutely

[@aliyahharmon9045]

I watched THEM under the impression that is was just horror (which I love). After it I told my mother I felt like I caught second hand trauma

[@eryabolonha]

As soon as I heard the baby crying when the mom was outside(maybe 2 or 3 minutes in) my heart sunk and I pressed Exit. No way my energy could take it. I wanted to watch because it is about a black 🖤 family but damn I couldn't

[@knf4451]

Yeah same, I found out about the show from my dad who was constantly asking me if I watched it yet, didn't understand why he was wanting me to watch it so badly, it was over the top and didn't appeal to me

[@lovesue86]

Same 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 I said nope not today satan and flipped on Netflix

[@autumnhomer9786]

🎀Same. This is why I love Jordan Peele, he shows black people having strength and being other. I’m fed up of seeing us being powerless or as slaves.🎀

[@vybee6010]

Girl this series was crazy. They really was getting hit spiritually, mentally and physically. Thank you for a video on it.

[@gregorehorror]

If they're going to show a rape scene, they seriously need to POV from the eyes and perspective of the one attacked alone, we don't even have to see the perspective of the rapists at all. It's gratuitous over actual caring.

[@gregorehorror]

And always always with a trigger warning specific for the viewers

[@gregorehorror]

Thank you so much for your time and analysis, I come to your channel frequently to learn and grow and appreciate your work immensely

[@jessicaevans2564]

Wow, that’s a good point, we might see less because who wants to experience the violence vs observing it.

[@gregorehorror]

@@jessicaevans2564 I just feel it's been so often framed from the point of the attacker, it's so time to see from the view of the sufferers. This over explaining of white cis rapists motives is erasure of the survivors.

[@TheThyckVixen]

I love this comment. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@JB4C89]

Im too scared to watch. Lena hurt me after Queen & Slim which I also consider trauma/horror. Why is terror against us considered entertainment?

[@michellemoore4585]

Exactly! Why?

[@myrtle1234]

Horror movies focus on killing white women, especially sexually active ones. It’s a cliche.

[@JB4C89]

@@myrtle1234 You are so spot on. Its not my favourite genre but when I did watch horror the plot was always similar to that. I f with Jordan Peele though!

[@karenmassey8354]

I feel like this show was on some mk ultra type stuff. Psychological conditioning in order to provoke a visceral reaction - to force a separation between a person’s consciousness and their physical being as sometimes happens during the experience or recollection of trauma. In other words, a trigger piece to remind AA’s of their place and manufactured powerlessness.

[@dumfriesspearhead7398]

Yes, that's why I refuse to watch them.

[@preciousaryee2901]

I have always said the incessant media portrayal (movies, television, Netflix, etc.) of slave stories, rape of Black women, child abuse, general violence against Black people are subliminal messages to maintain social hierarchies and conditioning of Black people. Your summary captures my sentiment accurately. I personally choose not to participate.

[@tinishamccroskey7752]

Very interesting perspective! We know the power that comes from a connected mental and physical so your probably right.

[@karenmassey8354]

@@preciousaryee2901 Yes exactly. I don’t own a t.v. and only occasionally watch internet shows for this very reason.

[@karenmassey8354]

@@tinishamccroskey7752 IMO mind control and forced disassociation are the reason why shows like this are made. It’s important to be aware of how the media controls your thoughts and perceptions and therefore your actions.

[@toyaJM]

I couldn’t even finish the first episode. Them was traumatic asf.

[@awkwardblacktribe2100]

I tapped out after three.

[@toyaJM]

@@awkwardblacktribe2100 I tried to go back but I just couldn’t

[@hollaatthekid1796]

Me as well! I was like nope I don’t need this rolling round my mental rolodex.

[@toyaJM]

@@hollaatthekid1796 right..my dumb ass also tried to watch to take my mind off of stuff happening in my neighborhood in Minneapolis🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️

[@MakaykayLAMB]

Same. Literally same. I thought that if i watched some reviews to find out what the POINT of this bullshit was it'd make it easier to sit and watch. Nope. Absolutely not.

[@jess414951]

Side note: This camera quality is amazing!!! Super crisp

[@zanelebpearls]

I'm curious as to whether the series did achieve the set out goal. Misha Green's Lovecraft Country did stir up a conversation, but its focus was on the heroism of black people in their story. But Them has barely featured in my algorithm.

[@tamaracharese]

Hate that folks even compare this to LoveCraft Country.

[@poodaeddie]

Sick of Lena Waithe frfr I don’t wanna see anything else from her until she reads a book

[@domination6585]

Twenties is pretty good

[@NaturallyDOPE0990]

@@domination6585 I like Twenties

[@niktour352]

I just want a black horror movie without the racism and classism

[@aspen5151]

exactly. once i see a show is predom. black, i know its going to be shit, traumatic, about slaves, the black struggle, or black people getting the short end of the stick. same old story and same old BS.

[@oatilepheko4800]

I feel like Jordan Peele does a pretty good job at this

[@dandam5582]

Notice how they also gotta go back to an older era. I wonder why that is.

[@domination6585]

Keeping past trauma in the present. Keeping old wounds open wet unhealed n bloody.

[@dumfriesspearhead7398]

@@domination6585 Yep.

[@CrystalM1917]

@sweet mint they also want to believe white ppl aren't capable of this today.

[@jessikalove4788]

Soooo...I can’t get out of my head the manner in which their son was murdered. To me, it was particularly gruesome and it led me to thinking, has a Caucasian child ever been killed in a movie or tv show to this degree? That was an extremely difficult scene to watch; very unsettling in my spirit. Even beyond that though, without a doubt, no matter the race of the child, I never want to see something like that. There was something very evil and sinister about this series.

[@aspen5151]

(previous comment:) I have always said the incessant media portrayal (movies, television, Netflix, etc.) of slave stories, rape of Black women, child abuse, general violence against Black people are subliminal messages to maintain social hierarchies and conditioning of Black people. Your summary captures my sentiment accurately. I personally choose not to participate.

[@sr-pz7gp]

Of course there is, where do you think they got the idea?

[@SailorSlay]

I had to fast forward it. This was literally torture porn

[@raxshadarkwolfe5543]

Worst I've seen was in 'Mother' really hard scene to watch.

[@lea-gabriellelarkin366]

Not just his murder but her rape. It was disgusting. And of course it was a white man who wrote it

[@mutedearthvirgo]

Thank god for discernment cause my spirit said “nope” as soon as I saw the trailer, and from the sounds of your review it sounds just as stupid as I thought it would be.

[@michellemoore4585]

Amen! I got the same check in my spirit.

[@zgurl94]

Me and my brother finished the series and it was too much. We were on vacation which is part of the reason why I think we were mentally OKAY after binge-watching it. Towards the end it was less of a “this is interesting let’s keep going” binge watch and more of a “let’s get through it because it’s like two episodes left” binge watch. I kept hoping that there would be some sort of reprieve from the violence and that maybe there’d be a clear resolution in the end...😒There was none. Just violence without purpose. The mom raped and the baby being killed at the same time...it was too much and for what? Just trauma porn for whites and pseudo-intellectuals.

[@zgurl94]

I definitely agree though that the cast was beautiful, the music excellent and the acting was A1! The story itself was just 🤦🏽‍♀️ and honestly revisiting everything that happens in the show just pisses me off all over again lol I really wanted to like it.

[@eaje91]

That part! Hollywood is still too small. We need more decentralization and democratization of media. It is slowly, and I mean slowwwwwwwwwly, changing. With more media hubs popping up (i.e. Atlanta, Austin, etc...), and hopefully the return of more local independent theatres maybe we will see more creators, especially creators of color coming to the fore. In addition to the need for more distributors and production companies willing to support new ideas and stories, so at the very least we're not seeing the same folks behind the scenes.

[@TheodoreBakes]

@Motown Gayes that part!! When it comes to EVERYTHING!!

[@Chaka_Davis]

I would love to root for Lena Waithe, but her work is not what she thinks it is. It's like when she said that "'Queen and Slim' was a meditation on Blackness" when it wasn't. She was trying to give us "Us: The Series" and it missed. Maybe she just needs more time to grow in her craft, but so far I find her work flat and violent.

[@TyraHigh]

She produced 2 episodes why is she solely responsible for this?

[@TheMichelex20]

The show was really doing too much. Is this thing supernatural, natural, other worldly, insanity, white folks, aliens, ghost, ghouls, goblins like it couldn’t decide. Plus some of the scenes were so horrific and unsettling that I have to lean towards the overused term trauma porn.

[@vonnie1999]

Trauma porn. It's a good series, but the over the top trauma, imagery, racial tribulations and violence..too much. This and Love Craft Country need editing. But glad these shows were produced.

[@kthompson9204]

I am so glad that you are making more content. I miss it soooooo much

[@F4TiMA.]

This series traumatised me yet was a reality that our ancestors lived through nonetheless(!)

[@synamin1]

im still haunted by cat in the bag- I legit feel fear. smh

[@krenee984]

I didn't feel right for a few days after that.

[@darlin9153]

It's the fact that black people worked on this film for me It's the fact that the actress from Queen and Slim is in this for me It's the fact that as a black person deep down I am emotionally drained just about 24/7 for me

[@domination6585]

Lena also worked on queen n slim

[@domination6585]

Queen n slim was trauma porn as well

[@darlin9153]

@@domination6585 I never knew that. Thank you for letting me know! I'm glad I didn't watch Queen and Slim. I don't understand why some people see "ride n die" relationships as goals or having a deep meaningful relationship with someone. Caskets never came with bunk beds or in doubles.

[@tamaracharese]

What actress from Queen and Slim?

[@boybriar]

Dark skin black women don’t get a lot of roles. This is probably the best she can get.

[@Shaykre19]

..If Gaslighting was a series 🙄🙄

[@TheMichelex20]

Exactly!

[@domination6585]

How did they gaslight US

[@Shaykre19]

🙄🤦🏽‍♀️

[@rawminimalist9043]

😂😂😂 don’t waste your energy responding girl. I agree with your sentiment 200%.

[@Shaykre19]

@@rawminimalist9043 Thank you!! I'm like did ya watch this video?? Have you seen the show?? Do ya know the definition??🙄 I mean..

[@ken_k1]

I choose not to let stuff like that into my spirit. Horror, supernatural themes are hard for me to shake so I won't be watching

[@Jay42000]

Same here, I watched the first episode and that was it.

[@destined2bebossy]

Jouelzy thank you far actually having a critique about elements of the show and not just a complaint of "trauma porn." I'm over people seeing trailers that clearly show its a black family in the 1950s moving into a white neighborhood with horror elements, and then complaining about their spirit and "trauma porn". You knew what you were getting into when you clicked on it.

[@ebbsgohard]

I don't think anyone in the comments section expects you understand an experience that isn't yours.

[@seleciaa]

Refuse to watch that series. Straight up psychological attack

[@kstclair2275]

I am not a horror movie fan but I am especially not going to subject myself to rape and these other atrocities under the guise of a black series that is made by white folks. I hope that additional black voices in Hollywood can join in making black art that doesn’t always require black suffering. I love to watch your reviews, Jouelzy, because you are so insightful and can put these themes into context and give food for deep thought. Thank you!

[@rashida9693]

I do feel that these shows and movie's music is always on point. The soundtrack is often my favorite thing to come out of these.

[@colbykamilah]

Your tattoo is gorgeous!...I didn’t like Them, it was too much in each episode. I felt like nothing connected. And I am not into racism mixed with horror for entertainment

[@lyrablack8621]

I feel like, in general, the use of sexual violence in art needs to be taken way more seriously. Like, if it's not central to the themes, don't portray it and needlessly trigger actual survivors in the audience - and even if it _is_ central, you don't need to show it in graphic detail. The audience can put two and two together, and in my experience, implied violence is often harder to swallow than on-screen; unless of course, the on-screen violence takes an uncomfortable amount of time, with no cut aways or music etc to distract from it - in other words, when it's inescapable.

[@rachoue13]

I would suggest watching Lovecraft Country instead. It does have the supernatural horror element but you also feel a sense of vindication as well. It's not just violence for violence sake.

[@winx0191]

i didnt even realize Chatham county had a second H cuz we don't pronounce it. i was over here googling and its down the street lol

[@kanampersand]

I have watched/heard several reviews on this series and I know it's not for me. Who was the target audience for this project? Couldn't be Black people.

[@jasondaniels1437]

White people and self hating black people.

[@timafiggy]

also racist latinos who try to find a sugarcoated story for a shit show like this. when my exhusband brought Bronxtale into my house. which now i'm glad he is my Ex and not wrth shit and completely slip my mind that his mother was racist and i brushed it off but there was te real side was going to come out in time and I'm glad he showed his true colors . i'm glad that divorced happened.

[@homebodybaby]

I actually enjoy this trend of black history being made into horror stories. It’s way more fitting and realistic rather than the “everything works out and black and white get along in the end” trope. 🤷🏽‍♀️ but I will say that THEM fell short for me in the end which I hate because it started out pretty good!

[@joycevaughn5913]

Loved the series. Did not think it was going to be good, but it kept me glued for the entire series.

[@aliceragoi]

Yeah, when white director's tell history, it tends to completely ignore or soften and forgive, whiteness as a violent system. Same thing happened in Jupiter's Legacy.

[@AlwaysAmeera]

We are hereeeee!!!!

[@dumfriesspearhead7398]

I have not and won't watch Them. But when I saw the leads I was happy to see a DSBW as the wife, as I'm so used to the light skinned/biracial wife and dark skinned husband combo. BUT now that I know what happened to the wife, I now think that's why a DSBW was cast. I suspect the rape scene may not have been included or modified if a light skinned/biracial actress played the wife.

[@Jay42000]

Go heal baby, y’all be so colorist of your own people. It’s really sad and giving jealous.

[@taylor_rain__]

I must say, even though this show was intense I can really admire Deborah Ayorinde, who played “Lucky”, her beauty and acting.

[@nadiarealalat4326]

Been waiting for the analysis video!

[@sherrytee2962]

I only lasted until they began to drive into the town, 6 or 7 minutes 8 think...I could see the trauma that was coming!

[@maimouna1038]

Same here, couldn’t do it😞

[@weasleyOcecee]

100000/10 you're spot on as always. ty for the work put into this video

[@donnac.3273]

The refuse to watch Trama porn. After last year, after watch the ng all the murder and violence I got into a deep depression and had to get therapy. I was afraid to go outside and when I saw a police car I would have an anxiety attack. I am so much better now. She told me to not be engage with social media as much and self-care more.

[@dumfriesspearhead7398]

Or news either.

[@TheodoreBakes]

@@dumfriesspearhead7398 yes I stay away from the news and I hate to because I need to be informed but it always sends me into a sad mental state. Every time smh

[@curiousboy88]

Goddamn. Jouelzy is so smart, insightful and beautiful. I genuinely enjoy your in-depth videos. I see you QUEEN!!!!

[@Intentionaltia]

Yes she is so smart!

[@mecca337]

Agreed!

[@Lilsweetings]

I could NOT finish this show. It just gave me nightmares and a wholly unpleasant feeling. I’m glad to know I’m not alone

[@JourneytoJazmine]

I’m glad someone is saying this. Them was extremely triggering and several people including missing said that one particular episode set in the 1800s left us literally SCREAMING to get that pain off. I don’t recommend anyone watch this.

[@Touch2Love]

yasssss! I am here for this. Them was for white pipo. They need to watch this.

[@ZuZu-lh3dl]

I loved them I think a lot of don’t want to deal with reality. I know myself and many other have similar experiences and family members who have experienced the same exact things shown in the show

[@NoelleMar]

Ok not done with the video yet but: I’d heard some people condemn the normalization of the term black bodies, but generally I had seen it used in a way that... made sense to me. It was specifically pointing to visuals and the white gaze basically. So this quote is really an example of how that term has been misused. I also dislike how the creator talked about this kind of abuse as though it never happens to anyone, when it is not only common in media but *extremely prevalent irl.* Just so clueless. Edit: Also, I can’t help but think of that one lawyers awful and derogatory language he used when claiming his client and others only stormed the Capitol because they were mentally disabled. So many of these stories blame racism on mental illness, disability, or trauma, throwing everyone who has those under the bus. (Obviously plenty people who have any of these can be racist, but these are not reasons for racism, they are scapegoats that only further stigmatize these people and let racists off the hook.)

[@roxywyndham]

I only watch Black JOY so “Them” is HARD PASS for me.

[@rockemsockemscott]

I didn’t like it at all!!! They don’t make horror movies about the Holocaust!! We need to not support these type of movies. They are really trying to desensitize us about the trauma blacks when through and currently going through! AGAIN They don’t make Horror HOLOCAUST HORROR MOVIE or ASIAN HORROR MOVIES or ANY OTHER RACE -there is a agenda to desensitize us on black trama-

[@WhatTheTeaV]

‘Them’ had so much potential and as a horror fan I wanted to like it, but I felt so unfulfilled and exhausted by the end. I would love to see this exact same cast in something else together because their acting CARRIED this show. Can we get a redo please!? Is Misha Green busy? I thoroughly enjoyed Underground and Lovecraft.

[@ninamphotog]

who the heck is asking for not one but TWO seasons of this trauma p0rn?? smh

[@krenee984]

👏👏👏 please! I need to know!

[@Kinksgalore]

I want to know about your shoulder tattoo!🤩

[@tiffanyrodgers4093]

I've been waiting for a review of this series!!!

[@chynawhyte37]

Picked up for a second season...what?! 🤯

[@alexiskeys]

Boycott

[@kpopfan246]

From what I researched, it’s like American Horrors Story (AHS). There will be a different theme for each season. In all honesty, AHS seems like a huge exploitation on the actual atrocities in American History. I used to like it but after a while, they were doing too much and the “history lessons” seemed like Snapple bottle cap facts.

[@annoyedbyyourface]

@@kpopfan246 If you liked the first season then I think you should give the 80s, Apocalypse, and Roanoak (sp?) a chance. I initially stopped watching after Coven's horrible season. Roanoak has some white fuckery but it's was surprisingly horror-focused and the 80s season was fucking hilarious while also being very true to slashers. Apocalypse imo was just good overall in a very season one type of way.

[@kpopfan246]

@@annoyedbyyourface I watched a snippet of Roanoke and it was somewhat boring to me and Cult was boring as hell too. Apocalypse was good tho. I love how they brought back Angela Basset tho. She delivered as a Voodoo Queen and is one of the main reasons I watched Coven. I haven’t watched 80s yet.

[@chynawhyte37]

@@kpopfan246 That does make sense. Your synopsis of AHS is absolutely true it often misses the mark and I enjoyed coven even though it mangles the history there too.

[@samanthatheegr8]

I didn't like this show and I thought it wasn't necessary to watch this to be afraid when I can just turn on the news and be traumatized that way.

[@MakaykayLAMB]

Wooh, thank you for this girl. Been waiting for more people to talk about this terribly written show.

[@biancalord488]

I watched the series twice. I loved its brilliance

[@MeghannMonroe]

If the black man with the Amish settlers could find water, he couldn’t fix a wheel?

[@ppipray]

BEEEERRRRRRUHHH! This is so true!!

[@teatodd2]

I watched the first 5min and walked away. My husband kept watching thinking it was going to get better each episode but never did. So happy I didn't invest my energy or time into this trauma porn 😊. I liked listening to your commentary though.

[@ladiepink]

Jouelzy gang gang !!!

[@braidedgirl757]

I liked the series but I could not watch it again....especially episode 5 ....it really left me disturbed but I totally get the connection with horror....because being black in America especially then was definitely horrific

[@KTRN52]

So, I watched 3 episodes before continuing this video. I was so confused. Not that the story is too complex to figure out. No, not that. The confusion came from "pick a struggle". Racism, paranormal activity *and* WWII PTSD, and child-theft PTSD, and the child with the sixth sense, and the twisted white women...I'm inundated with half-baked tropes that are barely digestible... Going with the food metaphor...that pie scene was actually really good, but confusing...but ok....see what i mean?

[@hiitsmeeeeeeeeeee]

Them coming out after Lovecraft country makes it even worse for me. I liked how the racism was handled while still being horror

[@thingsilove18]

Jouelzy, what do you think about this vs Lovecraft Country? I feel like "Them" was trying to be a mixture of Lovecraft Country, Us, and Get Out except with the unnecessary trauma and violence of Antebellum. Yea, episode 5 did it for me. I had to fast forward.

[@Magickalmother]

I tried to watch this several times but it wasn’t sitting right with my spirit. After reading the comments, i”m glad i didn’t. The goal is to heal from the trauma, not amplify it by putting it in horror form. Careful what you allow into your consciousness. 💚💚💚

[@MadeleineSwannSurreal]

Yeah... there was really something off about it and I didn't last long, so this makes sense

[@MsBrwnBunni]

With “Them” being picked up for a 2nd season it gives them more time and wiggle room too explore. For me, “Them” on the surface gave me an artistic hint or idea of how as simplistic as living in an all white neighborhood just for a better life was a horrific experience for black folks at that time. Even though I heard stories from my mother from her experience with that. “Them” painted a vivid picture for me that I think those whom are alive today would very much appreciate that aspect of this series alone. I take the meat & potatoes out of things and, “them” painted a picture that our elders didn’t have the paint & brushes to use on the canvas.

[@NaturallyDOPE0990]

I was so underwhelmed that the milkman got to off Betts. 🥲

[@Shaykre19]

Thank GAWD, something to listen to🙌🏽

[@alexiskeys]

These kinds of movies and shows need to be stopped.

[@brwnsuga.hokage4009]

I didn't like it. It was weird and the story definitely could of went differently. I thought it was going to have like a "lovecraft" similarity with the storyline. And I'm honestly tired of the slave/racism story. Yes, it's important to know about it, but that's not all we're good for. Seems like we get more rewarded and winning nominations for playing slave roles and it's exhausting. Also, stop having soo many white people tell the story of BLACK PEOPLE. Black producers, black writers-we don't need white people to display racial horror of black people.

[@samariacaesar492]

I used to watch your natural hair videos years ago when I was a teenager and you made me big chop and start loving my natural hair thank you ❤️ so happy to stumble on your content again!! Also couldn't make it passed the second episode of this series

[@milkandspice1074]

I had an anxiety attack watching it and started feeling super sick.

[@Delicieuxable]

This is the commentary I have been looking for!!! I appreciate your research and work in putting this together so timely.

[@mf4068]

I object to the English accents 😂😂😂

[@treneiceselles2705]

I'm glad to see her posting this....yes!

[@ahub87]

I think this is the difference between this show and Lovecraft Country...there were supernatural things going on in a racist setting but supernatural elements were never used as a reason to explain racists behavior...however the times of the show were used to explain the actions of certain characters. By using supernatural elements to explain horrific and racist actions it actually gives a level of deniability of how horrible those times were.

[@isaiascardoso2855]

It also didn't help that the bad guy's won in the end. There's no way the family walked out of that neighborhood free. Ya they beat the ghost, but I doubt the cops will care

[@Intentionaltia]

The non-black people in this show weren’t acting. All that shit was real, them being their true natural selves. 😩 That’s all I saw the show for: the true horror and evil of racism and how WP are unapologetically evil af. Dassit.

[@amberstapleton2158]

OMG I would appreciate you reviewing Underground Railroad on Amazon. Id love to hear your opinion.

[@TT-xz5sy]

Omg no tf they didn’t make that 😩😩😩

[@autumnhomer9786]

🎀I finished watching it and heard, it’s supposed to be based on a true story. I need some comedy or something now.🎀

[@manestage5403]

I came here about a week ago to see what you thought about it. Yay! I suffered through the entire series and needed to "be around" some folk who share my pain. lol

[@sharondalewis1620]

Lol @7:00 that Iyanla laugh 😂🤣

[@TheodoreBakes]

😂😂😂

[@tjones0991tj]

You made great points about “them”. I wish the same narrative was given to the white characters that would’ve been a great series.

[@Londya]

Girl yessssss (in response to your title), when I saw the trailer, I was like nahhhhhhhhhh this ain’t no love craft country! Lolol just had to say that real quick, ok now ima go watch the the video and come back to comment lolol

[@deewaltonrealtor]

Good review. I saw the series as the demon representing the ideology of racism and the horror representing real things our ancestors experienced ie the rape etc.

[@Caligirl.8630]

Yes! So glad you are talking about this. The black trauma is RIDICULOUS, NEEDLESS AND IRRESPONSIBLE. Like why? Can’t watch it, will not watch it.