The authors acknowledged criticisms of the film – for example, some felt the animal print costumes perpetuated stereotypical representations of Africans. But ultimately, the authors loved the film."portrays all shades of Black and recognizes Blackness as a spectrum, acknowledging that each of its shades is royalty," they wrote.
But they wondered: What elements of African culture was the film missing? What did it get right? How does one cover a continent of 54 countries? Dozens of NPR readers emailed us to share their thoughts. Here are a selection of responses.Beyoncé creates a representation [of Africa] for herself, a creation steeped in African aesthetic politics and globalization.
For African-Americans, possible African descendants of slavery, and even Africans who do not share experiences of bondage but who have been externally othered by colonization and/or apartheid,Beyoncé reiterates that she must free herself from reductionist categories and fulfill the aspiration she shares with her ancestors who were in bondage. And Beyoncé has achieved a privileged identity that her ancestors could only dream of.
Americans identify with the motherland in ways that are important to us. We've been out of Africa for so long, we grasp and hold on to what we deem beautiful in ways that might remind us of home. Africa's flora, fauna and people are all beautiful and mysterious, and we feel such pride to come from a country with so much rich DNA, natural wealth and beauty. -Black Is King
that centers and celebrates queer and trans Africans. I'd love to see loving same-gender relationships, trans and non-binary people thriving. And I'd like to see depictions of the numerous queer practices that have existed in Africa pre - , during and post-colonialism. For example, gender non-conforming individuals
GoatsandSoda Is Africa known for that? Not to be disrespectful, but it’s not the first thing I think of, but maybe I’m ignorant.
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GoatsandSoda This is racist. blacksupremacy
GoatsandSoda “We the people” pay for someone to print this?.... 😂🙄
GoatsandSoda Boring af. Fell asleep.
GoatsandSoda This is moronic trash
GoatsandSoda The lack of diversity on NPR's staff.
GoatsandSoda After a week of the Mueller headings live , npr did not cover Senate hearings on 'cross fire hurricane'instead did a show on African American Transgender Ball Room dancing 🤔
GoatsandSoda If there was still a question if NPR was a useless news outlet... this confirms yes. No wonder their followers are so easily manipulated. Just ignore her cheating, woman-hating drug dealing husband. This is who black people should idealize?
GoatsandSoda The president of the United States offered federal agents and the national guard that would have prevented the 2 rounds of looting in Chicago. Who owns the decision to refuse that offer and the damage to the city.
GoatsandSoda Peak woke 😂
GoatsandSoda in a very proper and respectful way
GoatsandSoda From my many years spent in Africa I estimate that only about 0.001% of its inhabitants would be on board with that American nonsense. This is cultural colonialism.
GoatsandSoda Trump 2020
GoatsandSoda queer and trans Africans ? dont just help the people there build a better life what,,,,
GoatsandSoda Is NPR Russian agent? Their post in kinda mostly looks very fishy!! Defeating Trump should be The number one goal to people who really love and care about this great country!!
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GoatsandSoda Bad spin and distasteful use of words! Blacks don’t even say Queer I know y’all over there lying at NPR
GoatsandSoda I'd make all within my powers to make sure trump loses. She is so influential. She could use her voice for this.