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AvatarDistrict9

I’ve never cosigned the age-old argument that in the future, there’ll be no black or white people and that everybody will just be beige. For my money, there’ll always be tribalism, there’ll always be race pride and there’ll always be personal preference. But if two current Oscar Nominees for Best Picture are showing us anything, it’s that some white people certainly seem to hope that I’m wrong.

Director James Cameron’s Avatar is a less than thinly veiled retelling of the European incursion into the Americas; only in the movie version, the natives are 10-feet tall, blue and have tails. The people from earth, mostly white, overwhelmingly materialistic and hostile, intend to steal all the land from these big, beautiful blue people while pushing them further and further away. Sound familiar?

Spoiler Alert: Through a process that allows the earthlings to assume similar bodies to the big blue people, one earthling saves the blue people and thwarts the other earthlings.

Producer Peter Jackson—maker of the most virulently racist films since D.W. Griffith— brought us District 9. Now, many of you already know Jackson as the director of that awful Lord of the Rings trilogy where it took little imagination to realize that the big, dumb, ugly black Orcs were the Black people, the slightly more clever but almost as unattractive Uruk-hai were Latinos and that ring-crazy Gollum was symbolically Jewish.

In District 9 (or simply, the 4th installment of Jackson’s own personal Birth of a Nation), earth is invaded by big, ugly bug-like aliens from space. The aliens are shepherded off apartheid-style to their own section of Johannesburg, South Africa while their mother ship hovers, unable to move. For flavor (I’m guessing) Nigerians are presented in this movie as the only people savage enough to deal easily with these aliens. Nigerians also want to eat the aliens and have sex with them.

Spoiler Alert: As with Avatar, it takes a mutated white human with rapidly increasing alien characteristics to save the world.

In both of these movies, the non-humans are presented as physically superior to the humans. And in both of these movies, the humans need to blend in some way with the aliens simply to survive.

In Avatar, the more honest of the two, at least the humans are presented as the invaders. It’s almost shameless how in District 9 however, the humans (white people) are both at home (in Africa!) and the aliens (Black people) are big cockroaches. Still, if I’m to read between the pixels, I’d say that James Cameron is buddying up and to and proposing a blend with the Native Americans just in case they ever rise and rightfully attempt to reclaim America. I’d also say that Peter Jackson is using a ‘neg’ straight out of The Game to convince us that we Blacks should feel lucky that he’d consent to blend with us.

Tags: James Cameron, Peter Jackson
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News One Links

 
  • http://blacknews1.wordpress.com/2010/02/23/black-news-22210/ Black News – 2/22/10 « Black News

    [...] OPINION: Do Two Current Oscar Nominees Expose White Genetic Fears? [...]

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/DancinMasheen/ DancinMasheen

    Peter Jackson did King Kong too.

  • http://blackpolitics3.wordpress.com/2010/02/23/your-black-news-22210/ Your Black News – 2/22/10 « Black Politics, African American Politics

    [...] OPINION: Do Two Current Oscar Nominees Expose White Genetic Fears? [...]

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/MyEyezAdoreU/ MyEyezAdoreU

    Oh good lord!!!!!!! District 9 was based on a book you moron! Actually on apartheid South Africa and was rejected by the big studios before it was picked up by Jackson. So was LOTR and Kong was a remake. The only thing this idiot got right was the meaning behind Avatar. Even the summary on that movie was week. Do your research before you open your mouth. You sound ridiculous to those of us who are actually educated.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/MyEyezAdoreU/ MyEyezAdoreU

    weak

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/DancinMasheen/ DancinMasheen

    she’s right, Byers. all this racist Oscar talk, and you ain’t even mention “The Blindside”. ha!

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Actorguy/ Actorguy

    What????????? “that ring-crazy Gollum was symbolically Jewish.” Are you kidding me? And the aliens were Latinos??? Where in the world did you get that from? I can kind of see the Avatar reference where the White man saves the day for the indigenous people, we’ve seen that theme over and over. But the rest? Grasping at things that aren’t there just to get Black folks riled up seems more racist than what you propose was in the films themselves.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Cubby21/ Cubby21

    LOL… RK Byers is retarded, period. in neither movie are the humans “just trying to survive” they’re oppressing the aliens and stealing from them. both movies are talking about things white people actually did to other races but they’re doing it in a subtle way that hasn’t been done before.. go outside and get some fresh air buddy

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Esoteric_Dredz/ Esoteric_Dredz

    What DOESN’T Byers compare to “Birth of a Nation”? LMAO!!!!

    And I also find it funny that Byers is constantly reaching and trashing films yet remains silent about the “The Blind Side” aka “Nice White Lady Saves The Savage Negro…Again”. I guess movies like that and “Dangerous Minds” are right up his alley.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Frenzy_Hunter/ Frenzy_Hunter

    I’ve decided to no longer waste my time making Byers look ridiculous. He’s doing the job himself exquisitely.

    However, I applaud his talent for getting people to read his nonsense in masked with pseudo-intellectualism. Advertisers love to see the click-through data.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Khalif2000/ Khalif2000

    My man you need to get a frickin life. On the one hand you say white people hate us and on the other hand you say they can’t stop representing us with something else.

    Oh maybe it’s so you have something to whine about. Man up. Look at what we made for Oscar noms this year. A ghetto nightmare movie where the daughter gets passed around between parents. Where the “father” just pops in to hit it and watch them fight with each other. Where it’s so bad, there’s no trailer.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/blknall/ blknall

    Damn, there sure are alot of small minded blacks responded to stand up for white people…Idiots
    While they standing up for them they obviously invisioning a life of total racial conquest and by some of the statement i’d say they’ve achieved it.

    Khalif2000 ur such a kiss @ss clapping fo a booby prize called Oscar fo a movie depicting us as bad parents.

    Frenzy_Hunter if u would look closer at these movies you would see that what Byer is sayin is true on subconscious level and even tho i’ve read plenty of articles saying what Byer is saying ur to..oh i don’t know…white washed to see it

    MyEyezAdoreU did u read the book District 9 was based how u know Jackson didn’t take some creative liberties to make it fit the notion of yet another white savior

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/donslayer1/ donslayer1

    TRUE! I FEEL YOU, THESE MOVIES DO HAVE A SYBLIMINOL MESSAGE.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/soulmates1968/ soulmates1968

    who gives a crap? seriously!

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/MyEyezAdoreU/ MyEyezAdoreU

    blknall. District 9 was not a book. It was adapted from one. What white savior was in that movie idiot?

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Jahz_Lynx1/ Jahz_Lynx1

    Actorguy-The term gollem is from jewish folklore. Intiates of Cabbalism (jewish mysticism)require the creation/destruction of gollems as proof of attaining certain skills. Some of Jesus’ ‘miracles’ are examples of cabbalism. The ring is [jew]elry..now do you see the symbolism? Associating greed w/jews is stereotype but the contagiousness of greed (or any of the 7 deadly sins) can become its own entity…like a gollem.
    So i can agree with the writer on that point, but i don’t think he answers his topic question.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/MyEyezAdoreU/ MyEyezAdoreU

    One more thing Mr BYRES…… The aliens in District 9 were intellectually superior to the natives. Maybe we as humans should take a hint and design weapons that can only be fired by people with a sliver of sense. ( I’ll even let you watch). LOL

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/DACHOSENONE4LIFE/ DACHOSENONE4LIFE

    LOOK AT THE DOGS COMING TO IT`S MASTERS AID.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/SexySandyx2/ SexySandyx2

    Regardless of what the Directors insist is the bases of the movie. Both movies have similar themes one group of people oppressing another group of people. We’ve read these same themes within our history books and bibles (i.e. Trail of Tears, WWII concentration camps (for Jewish and Japanese people etc).

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/thoughtmanifest/ thoughtmanifest

    I see the story within the story in these movies. The real problem is that the black communities are in the same situations. Blacks sit around watching their own people rob, steal, kill eachother and destroy their communities, then turn around and complain that the white police departments arent doing enough to protect them and clean up their streets for them.

    JFK was that white savior in the 60′s, Bill Clinton in the 90′s and now in 2010 it’s half black Obama. Yet, Half a century later, Blacks still allow the worthless vermon among them to terrorize and control their communities.

    The desire for Unity and Love among blacks has been replaced with Hate, Distrust and a desire to disassociate themselves from eachother. The Most important thing to blacks today isnt The upliftment of the black race (hell, they dont even want to hear talk like that no more)The most important thing to blacks Today is MATERIAL ITEMS (Mostly European items) and the Illusion that they are living like rich white folks.

    Will We make out of this Horrible situation the White Race has put blacks in since Slavery? NO…Sure a few of us will make it out, but we wont make it as a Whole, cause we’re Not trying to make as a whole anymore. The days of Unity and the Civil Rights Movement is long gone.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/MiTCH1991/ MiTCH1991

    Well I actually do agree with most of what was said.I remember reading an article about a show David Banner had did for Adult Swim because his little nephew was watching the Jetsons and asked him why aren’t there any Black people in the future.Race will forever be a problem.When people ask has race gone away I look and say Hell No!There are some who will never accept us as equal.You can see this in the way they walk and look.They seem to have some sense of “I’m better than you” pride.And it’s reasonable because all their life they’ve seen these images in movies and tv and magazines.The great white hope.The white hero.That’s just how Hollywood is.Everybody is saying why are you looking at Avatar as a European takeover of Indians type of movie?Because in a weird way thats what it is.If you’re educated enough to know about that part in this country’s history you can look at the similarities between the two minus the futuristic tech.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/blknall/ blknall

    you’re the idiot MyEyezAdoreU cuz if the aliens in District 9 were intellectually superior to the natives why did they need a White man to save them?

    Think before u speak fake @ss Sista Souljah

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/blknall/ blknall

    @SexySandyx2

    The Jews, Japanese, and Black people oppression all have something in common…The oppressor

    White People

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/unknown108/ unknown108

    I’m confused could somebody help. I liked lord of the Rings, but I do no see the Orc-black people, Uruk-hai-Latino connection. I mean yea the movie was full of nothing but white people but I had a choice to watch it and I llked it. As for the District 9 comment I liked that too, but he did raise some good points about the interspieces sex and the fact that the “Africans” were the only ones that could “deal” with them so I might throw that movie out. As for Avatar, it’s just a sci-fi remake of “Dances with Wolves” and we already knew threw history that whites conquer other races threw war, gold, promises, and assimilation so it’s no great revalation. But seriously I still do not get the Lord of the Ring s**t. If someone could explain in an intelligent way send me a note and I’ll probably throw the movies out.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/CaliFemme23/ CaliFemme23

    unknown108, I’m with you…I got a tad ‘lost’ as well on that one…

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/blknall/ blknall

    I don’t know bout “Lord of the Rings” but that “Hanc**k” had some blatant symbolism…(strong black man gets weak for white woman).

    H3LL even that How to Train Your Dragon might have some, seeing that the dragon in question is black…LOL…but hey, you never know

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/MyEyezAdoreU/ MyEyezAdoreU

    Blknall why not show your face? what white man they needed? You must look as dumb as u sound. The fool was trying to save himself. Ur right about one thing I’m an idiot for trying to educate clowns like you. As for your oppressors, how come we are the only race still complaining about it?

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/blknall/ blknall

    MyEyezAdoreU if u would open your waxy ears and nearsighted eyes u’d see there’s a movie on the Jewish Holocaust every damn yr, even though it only lasted for 10 to 15 yrs. When slavery lasted..what?..over 200yrs so WE have every right and reason to complain becuz the end of slavery didn’t end the oppression of our ppl by far

    Now back to the movie….if don’t see the racist concept of Distict 9 then u won’t see with that White Wash vision u have. As for who the clown is it’s obviously u. So go throw your hands up and entertain ur “massa”

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/raven_dawn/ raven_dawn

    I you look for racism, you’ll find it. Honestly I could give a f**k less about these movies. Or any movies, can’t you see they are running out of ideas. Redoing the same tired movies over and over. Show of hands, how many of you are going to see COP OUT via movie theater or bootleg (keep it real now)? Okay, now for those who are gonna waste their money to see this train wreck, go to Blockbuster (if they still around) and rent either 48 Hours or any of the Rush Hour movies. IT’S THE SAME FLICK!!! And shame on you for watching Obsessed knowing it’s a interracial version of Fatal Attraction. Precious or Antwone Fisher? Same s**t!!! YOU ALL BEEN HOODWINKED!!!

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/SexyMoneyMaker/ SexyMoneyMaker

    lol @ raven_dawn

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/odoggz/ odoggz

    When you have this site promoting black women going to a white man to make a family, and many black women agreeing, I don’t think it’s worth crying over this movie. The white man is the savior, and people act this out in their every day lives.

  • http://newsone.com/world/rk-byers/opinion-should-africa-ban-white-people/ OPINION: Should Africa Ban White People? | News One

    [...] was in response to my appraisal of the movies Avatar and District 9. I had sort of suggested that whites in Africa should always be viewed as aliens or invaders. I [...]

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/pantherg08/ pantherg08

    This article is so stupid. Why comment on these movies making vague claims of racism and he never bring up the racism on bet? Are comment on the fact that bet is owned and operated by white people thats real racism!! People need to see whats really going on, the big issue is not these movies, its what is going on at bet! WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!!!

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/FNK/ FNK

    Ummmm….am i the only person that didn’t see racism in The Lord of the Rings movies? Really you can compare almost any movie where one person doesn’t like the other because they’re different to slavery (or the holocaust, or the killing of Native Americans) but Peter Jackson made a movie based on someone else’s story. Those books were written forever ago. He just decided to make it into a movie. District 9, maybe but I think you being a little bit sensitive with LOTRs. If you look for racist messages in everything, you’ll find. When its there and when its not there.

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