Spike Lee says that: “American slavery was not a Sergio Leone Spaghetti Western. It was a holocaust. My ancestors are slaves, stolen from Africa. I will honor them.” His comments on the movie "DJANGO UNCHANGED" just before the movies release.

It seems that those who have seen “DJANGO UNCHAINED” have a split opinion on the movie that has made upwards of $100 million dollars here in the states alone. The discussion right now seems to be whether or not some people who have seen it feel as though the film dishonors our ancestors. Or does it make the subject of slavery a bit more acceptable in a way to open up a larger dialogue?

So now we have Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network calling for a national boycott of 6 action figures based on the controversial and blood-soaked slavery revenge flick “DJANGO UNCHANED.”

“Selling this doll is highly offensive to our ancestors and the African American community,” says Rev. K.W. Tulloss, NAC’s president in Los Angeles, told the Daily News. “The movie is for adults, but these are action figures that appeal to children. We don’t want other individuals to utilize them for their entertainment, to make a mockery of slavery.” [End quote]

It’s interesting that a lot of people just had an opportunity to watch “Roots” for the first time on television during the holidays and “DJANGO UNCHAINED” opened on Christmas Day. My family and I made it a point to take advantage of that opportunity and although I may not agree with certain aspects of the movie; I think that it is very relevant for GENERATION NOW because it is produced in a way that should get their attention and cause them to begin to think about how they are connected to those ancestors that came before them. To me, this movie and the action figures are just some of the many first steps for those individuals who never think about their history, their place in the world, and the greatness of who they are—to begin to take the chains of the brain!  

This movie and the action figures are just some of the many first steps to understanding the meaning of SANKOFA, which means, GO BACK AND FETCH IT! WE MUST KNOW AND UNDERSTAND OUR PAST AS A PEOPLE IN ORDER TO MOVE FORWARD. TAKE THE CHAINS OFF THE BRAIN—RIGHT KNOWLEDGE CORRECTS WRONG BEHAVIOR! IT’S KNOW THEYSELF COMMUNITY WEDNESDAY…     

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