If Real Housewives of Atlanta can have 80 episode seasons, then our beloved shows of actual substance like Queen Sugar & Insecure deserve the same treatment! Not trying to shade RHOA, but I'm a little sad that this season of Queen Sugar is nearly at an end already.
With that, let's jump into the last episode before the finale. I'm not sure if I've been in a slumber the whole series, but when Charlie said "you think the whole world belongs to you unless proven otherwise," a light bulb went off. It wasn't until then, that I realized that Queen Sugar is using the relationship of the Bordelons and the Landrys to illustrate the relationship between white and Black america.
During season one, the history between the two families was shared dating back when the Landrys owned the Bordelons during slavery. After slavery, the Landry's fell on hard times and the Bordelons were able to buy a piece of the land. After, they they wanted their land back, and the Bordelons refused to sell it. This alone is a direct representation of when the enslaved were "set-free," but were still forced to pay for tools and supply as a means to keep us dependent.
After the Bordelon's refusal, white privilege got the best of the Landrys and they made sure that they Bordelons had a road block at each step of the way. Which is reminiscent of our judicial system from Jim Crow and beyond. Constantly developing ways to discourage, stump and throw the book at us. Whether its putting in ridiculous tests, or creating a war on drugs which we all know drug really meant Black people.
When a Landry showed up in Charlie's office - first, can we give Remy some applause for that stare down he gave that man - he did his homework and found that she had taken away 50% of their business. Since white people hate losing, he wanted to get in on what she had in true white fashion, and asked if she would partner with him.
I have always used this analogy to describe white and Black people in america. Let's say you have a pitcher of water, that's the contents of world, and a taste I can enjoy, then add in a kool-aid packet. The flavor is bitter, bland and unimaginative. Now add sugar and taste, Black people are the sugar of the world, adding our flavor to everything. Since we're so damn cool, white people won't let us have anything, hence cultural appropriation.
In three separate ways, we found that the Landrys had planted a false seed about the sugar mill to the farmers in hopes to steal them away from the Bordelons. When all else fails they will do one of two things, cry mayo tears, or slander your name and discredit your character. They will use fear tactics to try and knock you off of your square, in hopes of taking you out the game.
The story doesn't end there though, the second wave, and the shift that is currently wavering over us today is that of strength, fight, and fearlessness.
While Ralph Angel broke my heart on last night's episode, he also gave me life when discussing the Landry's with a fellow farmer. When the farmer greeted RA with fear, he responded "I ain't scared of no Landry's...don't let them white boys get in your head, stand up to 'em. You got this [your mind]."
Sometimes we are placed in spaces and our only option is to think our way out. We must stay steps ahead by staying both informed about the now and knowledgable about the past. This is how we win. Charlie saying fuck no to the partnership because she has ownership, this is how we win. Remaining fearless is how we will win.
I love that shows/books like Queen Sugar, and movies like Get Out have been able to tackle race in a hyper-metaphorical way. One that places the viewer in the root of the issue, and not in a deflective space. Nearly forcing you to see without prejudice.