“The Woman King” has received critical acclaim so far, and has become a commercial success. In spite of the praise that the movie has received, not everyone is thrilled with the movie’s story line.
#BoycottWomanKing
Following the release and massive commercial success of “The Woman King,” conversations have been swirling online about the significance of the film. While some people seem to believe that the movie is a wonderful depiction of Blackness and the empowering role that the all-female unit of Agojie warriors, others are a bit concerned about the story itself. For many people, the project minimized the role that the Agojie played in the sordid past of the slave trade. This sparked a conversation about the movie’s attempt at white washing and the hash tag #BoycottWomanKing was born. In an interview with “Variety” earlier this year, Viola Davis addressed the backlash, saying that parts of the story were fictionalized.
“…We entered the story where the kingdom was in flux, at a crossroads. They were looking to find some way to keep their civilization and kingdom alive. It wasn’t until the late 1800s that they were decimated. Most of the story is fictionalized. It has to be,” said Davis.
Despite Davis’ comments the hashtag has reached a fever pitch online, and many more people are reacting to the narrative, and calling on others to boycott it.
Why couldn't @violadavis make a movie about a true African Queen like Queen Nzinga fighting slavery of the African continent from White colonizers devils? She must be held accountable for this inaccurate historical movie making Slave holders hero's. #Boycottthewomanking pic.twitter.com/jih7jKyjUi
— Nation Of Hebrew Israelites (@NOHIsraelites) September 28, 2022
Different Opinions
Like anything online goes, the saga has quickly become a polarizing tug of war. Although part of the internet has strong opinions about not supporting the film, another part of the internet supports the notion that movies solely serve as forms of entertainment.
anyone saying #BOYCOTTTHEWOMANKING must not understand that movies aren’t made to educate you. that’s what BOOKS are for. it was such a moving, fierce, and heartbreaking movie. don’t boycott it. THAT’S what the yt majority wants: for us to shit on our own projects.
— like superman (@_Principessa7) September 18, 2022
A Bad Portrayal Of Black Women
The backlash has also delved into the role of Black women in society and how they are generally depicted as “strong” and masculine. Several online commentators have pointed out how the movie further pushes perceived negative stereotypes about Black women, while stripping them of the soft femininity that women of other races are perceived to have. In light of this, some people are theorizing that this is a movie that is far from women empowerment and is instead Hollywood’s attempt at whitewashing a painful history.
#BoycottTheWomanKing
You will never see Hollywood Khazars shell out $50 million to make a film with white men and women kill each other. BLACK WOMEN ARE NOT BRUTES EVEN IF PORK CHOP STUDS WANT TO BE THUGS! BOYCOTT STUD KING!! pic.twitter.com/CjyojRIi3s— Drs1 Cbuster (@Drs1AngryBMBC) September 25, 2022
This won't age well.#BoycottWomanKing #BoycottTheWomanKing https://t.co/qkC8A5pAjO
— #WeHereNow 🇺🇲 (@NoGamesOnNotice) September 25, 2022
This argument of supporting because of a Black Woman lead never made sense if you sit back & realize the full picture. All Blacks have not been in lead roles in epics neither have all women. You don’t combine the 2 traits and split the difference to solve that. #BoycottWomanKing pic.twitter.com/kWb8f0h7oS
— Antonio Moore (@tonetalks) September 25, 2022