
"Decoding History: 'Stamped From the Beginning' Unveils the Genesis of Anti-Black Racism in a Poignant Netflix Documentary"
In the Netflix documentary "Stamped From the Beginning," antiracism advocate, author, and professor Ibram X. Kendi poses a provocative question at the outset: "What is wrong with Black people?" The film explores this query through the lens of Black academics, who react with a mixture of wonder and dismay, setting the stage for an incisive examination of the origins of racist ideas about Black people.
The documentary, inspired by Kendi's award-winning 2016 book "Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America," delves into the deliberate creation of systemic racism and prejudiced notions against Black people. It challenges the notion that Europeans enslaved Africans solely based on a belief in their inherent inferiority. Instead, it asserts that prejudiced stories were strategically spread to rationalize the exploitation and enslavement of Black individuals.
A key theme explored in the film is the concept of strategic racism, where prejudiced ideas are purposefully employed to achieve material gain. The narrative takes viewers back to the 15th century, discussing Prince Henry of Portugal (Prince Henry the Navigator), who, according to Kendi, chose to enslave Africans over Slavic people from Eastern Europe because it was harder for Black individuals to blend in and escape once outside of Africa.
The film introduces Gomes Zurara, a royal chronicler dispatched by Prince Henry to justify his slave trading. Zurara's writings depicted Africans as inferior and beastlike, providing a warped moral justification for the brutal practice of enslavement. "Stamped From the Beginning" thus unveils the historical roots of anti-Black racism, exposing the deliberate construction of prejudiced narratives to justify systemic exploitation.
"Decoding History: 'Stamped From the Beginning' Unveils the Genesis of Anti-Black Racism in a Poignant Netflix Documentary"
In the Netflix documentary "Stamped From the Beginning," antiracism advocate, author, and professor Ibram X. Kendi poses a provocative question at the outset: "What is wrong with Black people?" The film explores this query through the lens of Black academics, who react with a mixture of wonder and dismay, setting the stage for an incisive examination of the origins of racist ideas about Black people.
The documentary, inspired by Kendi's award-winning 2016 book "Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America," delves into the deliberate creation of systemic racism and prejudiced notions against Black people. It challenges the notion that Europeans enslaved Africans solely based on a belief in their inherent inferiority. Instead, it asserts that prejudiced stories were strategically spread to rationalize the exploitation and enslavement of Black individuals.
A key theme explored in the film is the concept of strategic racism, where prejudiced ideas are purposefully employed to achieve material gain. The narrative takes viewers back to the 15th century, discussing Prince Henry of Portugal (Prince Henry the Navigator), who, according to Kendi, chose to enslave Africans over Slavic people from Eastern Europe because it was harder for Black individuals to blend in and escape once outside of Africa.
The film introduces Gomes Zurara, a royal chronicler dispatched by Prince Henry to justify his slave trading. Zurara's writings depicted Africans as inferior and beastlike, providing a warped moral justification for the brutal practice of enslavement. "Stamped From the Beginning" thus unveils the historical roots of anti-Black racism, exposing the deliberate construction of prejudiced narratives to justify systemic exploitation.
Singapore, November 20 — Mediacorp, a leading media company, has bolstered its board of directors with the recent appointment of three distinguished individuals: Ms. Eng Chin Chin, Mr. Sng Ren Yeong, and Mr. Suhaimi Salleh. The appointments, effective as of last Friday, mark a strategic move to enhance the company's leadership team.
Ms. Eng Chin Chin, a former partner at KPMG Singapore, brings a wealth of experience to the board. Currently serving on the board of Olam Agri Holdings, a subsidiary of the renowned Olam Group, she holds the position of chairperson for the audit and compliance committee, as well as a member of the risk and market compliance committee. Mediacorp highlighted Ms. Eng's deep expertise in risk management, compliance, and quality controls. The company expressed confidence in her ability to contribute valuable insights, given her extensive background in audit, governance, and internal control reviews across both private and public companies.
Meanwhile, Mr. Sng Ren Yeong, the managing director of artificial intelligence (AI) strategy and solutions at Temasek, assumes a pivotal role on Mediacorp's board. Responsible for overseeing Temasek's AI venture building and investments, Mr. Sng's influence extends to various Temasek-incubated companies, including minden.ai, the technology venture behind the yuu Rewards Club in Singapore. Mediacorp acknowledged Mr. Sng's contributions as the driving force behind the use of machine learning and AI to deepen engagement between consumers and brands. His extensive experience in portfolio value creation across diverse sectors further strengthens Mediacorp's strategic vision.
These key appointments reflect Mediacorp's commitment to fostering innovation, strategic growth, and diverse perspectives within its leadership. As the company continues to navigate the dynamic landscape of media and entertainment, the newly appointed directors are poised to play instrumental roles in shaping Mediacorp's future endeavors.
Singapore, November 20 — Mediacorp, a leading media company, has bolstered its board of directors with the recent appointment of three distinguished individuals: Ms. Eng Chin Chin, Mr. Sng Ren Yeong, and Mr. Suhaimi Salleh. The appointments, effective as of last Friday, mark a strategic move to enhance the company's leadership team.
Ms. Eng Chin Chin, a former partner at KPMG Singapore, brings a wealth of experience to the board. Currently serving on the board of Olam Agri Holdings, a subsidiary of the renowned Olam Group, she holds the position of chairperson for the audit and compliance committee, as well as a member of the risk and market compliance committee. Mediacorp highlighted Ms. Eng's deep expertise in risk management, compliance, and quality controls. The company expressed confidence in her ability to contribute valuable insights, given her extensive background in audit, governance, and internal control reviews across both private and public companies.
Meanwhile, Mr. Sng Ren Yeong, the managing director of artificial intelligence (AI) strategy and solutions at Temasek, assumes a pivotal role on Mediacorp's board. Responsible for overseeing Temasek's AI venture building and investments, Mr. Sng's influence extends to various Temasek-incubated companies, including minden.ai, the technology venture behind the yuu Rewards Club in Singapore. Mediacorp acknowledged Mr. Sng's contributions as the driving force behind the use of machine learning and AI to deepen engagement between consumers and brands. His extensive experience in portfolio value creation across diverse sectors further strengthens Mediacorp's strategic vision.
These key appointments reflect Mediacorp's commitment to fostering innovation, strategic growth, and diverse perspectives within its leadership. As the company continues to navigate the dynamic landscape of media and entertainment, the newly appointed directors are poised to play instrumental roles in shaping Mediacorp's future endeavors.