Stamped from the Beginning Review
The etymology of a word can reveal much about history and our world. For instance, the term “slave” finds its roots in the Latin word “sclāvus,” as the Slavs were frequently captured and traded as slaves in medieval Europe. The transatlantic slave trade involving Africans transported to America began in the early 16th century. My awareness of this etymology deepened after watching the Netflix documentary “Stamped from the Beginning,” which is based on Ibram X. Kendi’s non-fiction book of the same name. Although, slavery has been around for ages, extending back to biblical times, the Old Testament recounts the enslavement of the Israelites in Egypt for several centuries.
Directed by Roger Ross Williams, “Stamped from the Beginning” is akin to a non-fiction feature film. Animated recreations of historical events are seamlessly woven together with expert interviews, file footage and photographs, offering viewers a concise history of slavery in America and the enduring prevalence of anti-black ideas in the country. For anybody who hasn’t read extensively on the subject, the documentary provides a lot of food for thought, forcing you to take a closer look at some historical figures of America.
With a concise 90-minute runtime, it’s understandably challenging for the makers to encapsulate the entirety of Ibram X. Kendi’s 600-page book. Nevertheless, they commendably select riveting accounts to illustrate the insidious nature of anti-Black ideas in the country. However, inclusion of historical data, graphs, and info-graphics would have enhanced the documentary’s coverage of violence against Black Americans. Except for a brief graph with the headline “Black Americans Are Killed by Police at a Much Higher Rate than Americans,” lacking specific numbers or percentages, there is a scarcity of statistics. Had it not been for that fleeting graph, the omission might have gone unnoticed. Nonetheless, the documentary effectively utilizes news clippings to underscore numerous instances of unprovoked Black killings, highlighting the undeniable white privilege prevalent in America.
The documentary lays emphasis on the crucial role played by Black women in exposing the horrific treatment they endured at the hands of their white masters. The creators illustrate Harriet Jacobs’ life, the African-American woman who wrote the book, “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl”. It was published in 1861 and stands out as the first-hand account that vividly illustrated how women in her position faced relentless sexual harassment and abuse from their owners. All these accounts are accompanied by fitting background tracks, all of which are by Black artists, creating a poignant and resonant atmosphere throughout the documentary.
Overall, “Stamped from the Beginning” is just about the right duration, with well-spoken interviewees and is a good place to start for foreign viewers looking to learn about the history of slavery in America.
Rating: 7 on 10. You can stream it on Netflix.
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