In “Postracial Fantasies and Zombies,” the speaker, Eric Watts, goes on an interesting journey through the dark depths of cultural representations, exploring the intricate connections between the rhetoric of zombies and the historical experiences of black people. As he meticulously unravels the layers of meaning embedded within the concept of the zombie, Watts invites us to confront the unsettling truths that lurk beneath the surface of popular culture, beckoning us to navigate the complex interplay of race, power, and identity.
The speech commences with a seemingly innocent clip from the game show “Family Feud,” urging contestants to name something they know about zombies. Yet, from this seemingly trivial question, the speaker unveils a portal to a much broader exploration of how the figure of the zombie is intricately interwoven into the fabric of our collective consciousness. It becomes a lens through which we can dissect deeper societal issues, shining a light on the nuances of race relations, power dynamics, and the enduring search for identity.
A central theme that emerges from the reflection is the concept of zombies as a reflection of societal anxieties, particularly within the context of the so-called “post-racial” era. Watts carefully dissects the cultural atmosphere of 2013, a year marked by a proliferation of zombie-themed media, including the popular television series “The Walking Dead.” He suggests that this surge in fascination with the undead may be symptomatic of a deeper societal unease regarding race relations, especially in the aftermath of Barack Obama’s historic election, which, rather than assisting in a postracial world, unearthed and exacerbated existing racial tensions.
Drawing from a rich tapestry of historical narratives, Watts meticulously traces the evolution of the zombie from its nascent origins in the aftermath of the Haitian Revolution to its contemporary manifestations. Watts explore how the figure of the zombie has been co-opted to reinforce racial hierarchies and perpetuate harmful stereotypes about blackness, illustrating how the zombie serves as a reactive manifestation of society’s deepest fears and anxieties surrounding race, otherness, and the looming presence of a possible apocalypse.
Moreover, the speech delves into the intricate mechanics of representation, scrutinizing how the language and imagery surrounding zombies maintain notions of domination, control, and visceral enjoyment. The speaker introduces the concept of “biotropes,” arguing that the portrayal of zombies serves as a potent tool for reinforcing existing power structures and upholding the status quo. He meticulously critique the ways in which the zombie genre often glorifies violence and perpetuates harmful stereotypes, particularly in its depiction of black characters, who are frequently relegated to the role of expendable victims or mindless aggressors.
Throughout the discussion, Watts emphasizes the critical importance of contextualizing the portrayal of zombies within a broader historical and cultural framework. Calling attention to the enduring legacy of slavery, colonialism, and systemic oppression in shaping contemporary representations of blackness, urging us to confront the uncomfortable truths that lie at the heart of the zombie narrative and the wider cultural landscape. By meticulously dissecting the rhetoric surrounding zombies and its deep-rooted historical underpinnings, Watts extends a moving invitation to reassess our assumptions about popular culture and confront the deeper societal issues of race and identity that resonate throughout our collective consciousness.