Black Arts Journal Entry - Week 14 (4/19/23): Raoul Peck's "Exterminate All the Brutes" Continued Discussion #3

Despite all of our viewings and discussions these past weeks, when being presented with the question “Is it possible for people of color to choose not to learn about European history or the history of people of European descent in the Americas?” I gave my first answer that came into my head. I thought that yes, it was necessary for people of color to learn about European history as it is the history of this nation that we live in and that it is just as equally necessary to learn about this culture if we were to live with one another as equals. Just as how it is respectable to learn about other people’s culture and histories, they should do the same.

But after viewing, discussing, and reflecting more and more about the significance and message behind Raoul Peck’s documentary series, “Exterminate All the Brutes” and with what my teacher, Anthony Whitfiled, had to say in response to my answer, it all made sense. It is true, as Mr. Whitfield mentioned, that in this nation, you really aren't even given a choice. It’s not up to you whether or not you want to learn about this nation’s European history. It is forced upon you the moment you are old enough to learn history in school or as soon as you step foot in any one of this nation’s cities.

The way the education system works here is that they will always shine this nation’s historical figures in the light and rather full on not acknowledge or downgrade the serious crimes and bloodshed they have committed. Perhaps they'll touch upon the topic of slavery in a class or two, but the subject then moves on to another topic about war victories. Or if you are a foreigner visiting this nation, the amount of ads and commercials and company branding you see is everywhere. Whether from buying a brand new shiny car, accepting God into your life, the absurd beauty standards for women, or fast food being shoved in your face every corner you turn, it will be hard to miss this nation's sense of culture.

Yet, when people of color, whether black, hispanic, or asian, wish to have pride in their own culture and history and express it openly, they are quickly shut down. They will be told to go back to their country, that this place is America, and that if you wish to live in it you must conform to our customs and learn our language.

It is true what Peck has mentioned that white supremacy is deeply ingrained in this nation’s history and despite what progress we may have made to be more open and accepting of one another will never be fully genuine or reach its full 100% potential. There will always be racism and discrimination against people of color in this nation because we have developed the idea that they are the “others” and should be treated as such.