Another year, another Academy Awards ceremony filled with the usual suspects. Among the many films nominated, The Brutalist stands out—not for its artistic merit, but for yet another retelling of the Holocaust. Year after year, Hollywood churns out films centered around Jewish suffering, ensuring that the world never forgets their pain while simultaneously maintaining a grip on the industries that shape global consciousness.
This cycle is nothing new. While other communities have their history erased, downplayed, or outright ignored, Jewish narratives are amplified through film, television, news media, and politics. The Holocaust is never allowed to fade into the background, even as slavery, colonialism, and the systematic oppression of Black people are treated as historical footnotes or exaggerated for entertainment value.
Why Do We Hate Slave Movies?
Black audiences have long expressed their frustration with the never-ending stream of slave narratives in Hollywood. Films like Harriet and Birth of a Nation failed to draw significant box office numbers, not because Black people don’t care about their history, but because they are tired of seeing themselves portrayed as powerless victims.
Conversely, Jewish-controlled media ensures that their people are depicted as victims who overcame adversity—while simultaneously being some of the most powerful individuals in the world. They own the studios, the networks, the newspapers, and the pharmaceutical industries, yet they continue to push a narrative of victimhood.
The Hypocrisy of Victimhood
When Black people speak about their historical and present-day struggles, we are told to move on. Any mention of reparations is met with hostility. Yet Holocaust survivors and their descendants continue to receive financial reparations, political protection, and an endless stream of sympathetic films ensuring their suffering is never forgotten.
When we challenge this imbalance, we are met with accusations of anti-Semitism. Kanye West experienced this firsthand when he spoke about Jewish influence in business and entertainment. Instead of engaging in a conversation about his claims, he was swiftly labeled, canceled, and had his assets stripped away. Other communities face racism, but Jewish people have their own unique term—anti-Semitism—which functions as a shield against criticism.
Controlling the Narrative, Controlling the World
The power of media cannot be understated. The stories that are repeated shape public perception. If you are constantly told you are powerless, you will believe it. If you are constantly reminded of another group’s suffering while your own history is dismissed, you will internalize that imbalance.
Hollywood ensures that Jewish suffering remains front and center while dismissing the suffering of others. They give themselves awards, control the funding, and set the standards. Even when a film is boring, repetitive, or poorly executed, it is nominated, praised, and positioned as a masterpiece. Why? Because it serves a purpose beyond entertainment.
A Call for Black Empowerment in Media
The solution is simple: we must take control of our own narratives. Instead of waiting for Hollywood to depict our history and struggles with respect, we must create our own platforms, tell our own stories, and refuse to engage with media that seeks to diminish us.
The success of Black-led films and movements that focus on strength rather than victimhood proves that we are hungry for a different representation. We do not need more movies reminding us of our oppression; we need stories that inspire, uplift, and remind us of our true power.
Stop Being Afraid to Pool Our Wealth
The biggest lie we’ve been told is that we don’t have enough money to build our own. The truth is, Black people—whether in America, the Caribbean, or Africa—have more than enough resources to create independent media platforms free from censorship. The issue is not a lack of wealth, but a fear of collective investment. Celebrities, athletes, and politicians from Africa and the diaspora have access to billions of dollars, yet many hesitate to fund projects that challenge the status quo.
Jewish communities have shown how collective economics can create lasting power. They invest in their own media, education, and businesses without fear. Meanwhile, too many of our wealthy individuals are afraid of retaliation, losing endorsement deals, or being cut off from the system. But at some point, we must ask ourselves: Is it better to be rich under their control or to build something of our own?
Black Athletes and Celebrities Must Prioritize Ownership
LeBron James, Jay-Z, Rihanna, and countless other Black billionaires and millionaires could easily fund media platforms that rival CNN, Netflix, or Twitter. Yet, many choose to partner with existing systems rather than build new ones. Instead of making deals with Hollywood studios, why not invest in Black-owned streaming services? Instead of complaining about Instagram censorship, why not fund our own social media networks?
The problem isn’t that we lack the talent or resources. The problem is that our most successful individuals fear what happens when they step out of line. But the reality is that no amount of money will protect you if you don’t control the system. We’ve seen this with Kanye West, Kyrie Irving, and others who dared to speak the truth. If you don’t own the platform, you can be erased from it.
African Nations Must Take the Lead in Digital Sovereignty
Africa is home to some of the world’s fastest-growing economies. Countries like Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa have booming tech industries, yet we are still reliant on Western platforms to tell our stories. If African governments and business leaders pooled their resources, they could create a media empire that rivals anything in the West.
China has done it. Russia has done it. They built their own search engines, social media platforms, and media networks so they are not dependent on Google, Facebook, or CNN to tell their stories. Why haven’t we?
The excuse that we lack expertise is no longer valid. African universities are producing world-class engineers, and the diaspora has tech leaders who have worked in Silicon Valley. What’s missing is the will to act.
We Need a Black Media Investment Fund
A Black Media Investment Fund could be the game-changer we need. Imagine a global fund where Black billionaires, business owners, and everyday people contribute to building independent media platforms. The money could be used to create news networks, streaming services, social media platforms, and even our own Hollywood.
This would require a commitment to long-term thinking. Instead of chasing quick profits, we must be willing to build institutions that last for generations. Jewish and Asian communities have done this for decades, ensuring their media influence grows stronger with each generation. We must adopt the same strategy.
The Time for Talk is Over—It’s Time to Build
We cannot keep waiting for someone else to give us a seat at the table. The table is rigged. It is time to build our own. The blueprint is already there. We have the money, the expertise, and the talent. What’s missing is the courage to act.
If we are serious about controlling our narratives and breaking free from censorship, we must stop being afraid. If we do not act now, the next generation will be left fighting the same battles, watching the same slave movies, and being erased from history while others ensure their stories are told forever.
