Years ago in Atlanta, a very special fan of my AM talk show, Outlook: Radical Talk for Revolutionary Intellectuals, was kind enough to videotape a classic episode of a superb and typically brief MTV series called “Cosmic Slop”. A classic episode, hosted by George Clinton, was adapted from a classic tale penned by Derrick Bell. The original story is included in Bell’s classic scholarly work Faces at the Bottom of the Well: The Permanence of Racism in America. The episode is entitled “Space Traders”. I have cherished that videotape for years...
I am still disgusted and depressed about Election 2002. My routine self therapy includes long visits to used CD, record, and video stores. I was recently shocked to find three classic afrocentric episodes of Cosmic Slop on a HBO home video release entitled Cosmic Slop: “Beyond the reality you know is a reality you may not want to face”. It is produced by the renowned Hudlin brothers and each segment stars a cast of familiar famous faces. This video is a mandatory inclusion in any essential New World Order film library.
In the "Space Traders" segment of this video, aliens offer to make earth a utopia in exchange for all black humans whose skin is as dark as a paper bag or darker. It exposes the power of racism and the perils of consumerism. The aliens offer to allow each exiled black person to bring only one bag aboard the spacecraft that will transport us all out of existence on earth. I recall one of my favorite Outlook shows focused on this episode.
Many callers joked about how many black men like O. J. Simpson would try to stuff white women into their bags. Others, like me, said they would be eager to go. Many white callers reminded us that they would miss our musicians and athletes most...
The second segment is entitled “The First Commandment”. It is a powerful examination of white supremacy in the Catholic religion. It exposes the racism that disrespects and erases African and Puerto Rican religions. A Virgin Saint manifests and claims her power by demanding to be called Oshun and to be seen as a dancing ebony skinned black woman. Like Jesus, she avoids fancy temples and saves souls among poor and despised souls inside a crack house.
The word “pagan” is hurled in this episode. It reminded me that womanism ruled ancient religions, many of which are far older than Christianity. “Pagan” originally meant "worshipper of female gods". The most ancient religions revere polygods, many of whom are female and elemental.
In the final segment entitled “Tang”, misogyny and machismo are indicted as a dysfunctional relationship escalates to demonstrate that revolution begins at home. Defiance and liberation are intertwined as an abused sista realizes that to save the world from "The Man" she must escape the prison fashioned by Her Man first. Time waits for no one, and time is running out...
Cosmic Slop was television at its best. And, as all superior television shows, it was short lived. Kudos to HBO home videos for packaging three of its finest episodes so well.
Other rebel films which must be added to your New World Order video collection include:
Sankofa
They Live
Fortress
Brother from Another Planet
Panther
The Drop Squad
For more information on the important themes explored in these three episodes of Cosmic Slop, read:
Faces at the Bottom of the Well by Derrick Bell
When God Was a Woman by Merlin Stone
Live from Death Row by Mumia Abu-Jamal
Death Blossoms by Mumia Abu-Jamal
The Envy of the World by Ellis Cose
Black Macho & Myth of the Superwoman by Michelle Wallace
See these related columns herein:
ON WHITE SUPREMACY, BLACK SELF HATRED, AND "SANKOFA"
UNHOLY ALLIANCE
TOP 10 GAYBASHING BIBLE MYTHS
AMERIKKKA: RACE-ING INTO THE MILLENNIUM
2000=1900: bushWHACKED
THE NEW WORLD ORDER: ACTUAL GLOBAL CONSPIRACY
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