Since the release of D.W. Griffith's The Birth of a Nation in 1915, Hollywood has used propaganda to demonize and desecrate African Americans in film. This propaganda strategy succeeded by instilling fear into white Americans in the 20th century and ignited mob groups, such as the Ku Klux Klan, to massacre innocent African Americans throughout the country. Hollywood continued to develop these stereotypes on film by limiting African-American actors to archetypes roles, including the mammy (The Help, 2011), the sambo/coon (Central Intelligence, 2016), the thug (Training Day, 2001), the jezebel (Monster’s Ball, 2001) and the buck (The Green Mile,1999). Despite African Americans continuing to thrive and overcoming years of slavery and segregation, movies still elect to only show oppressive images.

Director Antoine Fuqua and Will Smith aim to reinforce White America’s perspective of African Americans by perpetuating the pitiful slave narrative in the upcoming film, ‘Emancipation.’

As a former entertainment industry professional, I am aware Hollywood studio executives and finance companies are selective when ‘greening lighting’ Black films. They are loyal to showcasing African Americans in debasing, controversial roles that appease their trajectory of Black people in America. This is why we can guarantee the debut of another blockbuster slave film every 5-10 years, as if the plantation is African Americans' only piece of history. So when considering Fuqua and Smith’s logic behind this production, the movie is clearly intended for White Hollywood’s approval and, more importantly, financial gains. Furthermore, we must not support the slave narrative. It continues to eclipse the illustrious untold history of the African diaspora.

Amid the ongoing protests following the death of George Floyd, Brianna Taylor and Rayshard Brooks, Fuqua and Smith have said and done little to nothing in solidarity of Black America. Yet, we faithfully support their films and endeavors upon release. Fuqua and Smith are intelligent and well-rounded men who have traveled and seen the world. They should be aware of the profound ancient African history. They also have the finances and influence to create these films. They choose not to tell those stories. 

CAA Media Finance is funding the upcoming film ‘Emancipation’, which is set for production in 2021.

Let us come together and encourage CAA Media Finance to defund and impede this project by signing this petition.