#NoConfederate Campaign To Protest HBO During Game Of Thrones

The Vesey
The Vesey
Jul 30, 2017 · 3 min read

HBO proves a whole new level of tone-deaf with the announcement of their newest project, Confederate. A project created by Game of Thrones producers, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, depicts a world were the South won the Civil World and will follow, in part, “executives of a slave-holding conglomerate and the families of people in their thrall.” The backlash was fierce and immediate. Fans took to social media to voice their objection for the fantasy/revisionist history plot.

If you thought the negative feedback would give HBO and the producers a moment to pause and reflect you are living in a bigger fantasy world than the one that contains flying dragons. Instead of rethinking their idea, the producers thought that executing their announcement via press release was the big issue. HBO’s programming president Casey Bloys said, “Our mistake — HBO’s mistake, not the producers — was the idea that we would be able to announce an idea that is so sensitive and requires such care and thought on the part of the producers in a news release.”

Huh? A press release is the issue? Would’ve it been a better announcement if you did a horse and buggy parade through NYC? Maybe a launch party at Tyler Perry’s studio lot would’ve been more appropriate? Or how about the idea that you want to try to create a world were slavery still exists … in a time where many black Americans feel that white privilege is alive and well.

TV viewers aren’t just sitting back and waiting for the show to air to share their grievances. Led by the creator of the #OscarsSoWhite creator, April Reign, Twitter users are being urged to tweet #NoConfederate during Sunday’s airing of Game of Thrones.

Fans have not needed much convincing to take up the cause, as they have already started tweeting their disdain for the project in full-force.

The plot of Confederate not only tone-deaf, but it is supporting the racist beliefs that currently divide this country. HBO brought on Nichelle Tramble and Malcolm Spellman, two black writers, to help flush out their idea for Confederate. These are the same writers who are helping to pen, Game of Thrones which has come under fire because it has no black cast members. Game of Thrones was recently called out by Star Wars actor, John Boyega in an interview with GQ, “There are no black people on Game of Thrones. You don’t see one black person in Lord of the Rings. I ain’t paying money to always see one type of person on-screen. Because you see different people from different backgrounds, different cultures, every day. Even if you’re a racist, you have to live with that.”

It is sad that in 2017, African-Americans still have to explain how racism still exist and protest negative depictions and reminders.There are still state capitals that fly the Confederate flag and statues that celebrate Confederate “heroes,” all of which are disguised under the label of history. But you don’t see the Nazi flag in the capital of Germany or any statues of Hitler at the Berlin capital building. Somehow these things are still acceptable for many Americans.

If you are one of the many who don’t accept the culture-crushing spin-off of yet another slavery-themed show, let your “voice” be heard. Use #NoConferate on Twitter and tag HBO to let your feelings be known.

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The Vesey

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The Vesey

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