Exploring Netflix’s The Abandons: A New Era of Westerns
Netflix’s newly released series, The Abandons, sets itself against the backdrop of the Wild West, a space often characterized by its rugged landscapes and tumultuous histories. The core of the show revolves around a land dispute between two families, notably led by strong, complex white women. This premise is intriguing, especially when contrasted against the predominantly white, male-dominated societal contexts typical of colonial settlements. The series portrays a world on the edge of encroachment into Indigenous territories, raising questions about representation and authenticity in a genre that has historically been fraught with racial tensions.
The Western Genre’s Troubling Legacy
Historically, Westerns have often glorified settler colonialism, framing it in a manner that overlooks the brutality of the past. The genre becomes especially complex as it frequently adds to colonial wounds rather than healing them. Films like Hostiles, The Revenant, and Wind River have attempted to offer a more nuanced portrayal of America’s genocidal history, striving to subvert the racial and Eurocentric tropes that have dominated the genre since its inception.
These films often succeed by incorporating a multifaceted geopolitical landscape among Indigenous nations and including genuine representations of Native voices and languages. This more intersectional understanding encourages audiences to reckon with the painful histories that shaped the nation.
Representation in The Abandons
In The Abandons, one family, led by Lena Headey (known for her role as Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones), features a mix of characters from diverse backgrounds. Among them are a Black man and a Native woman, introducing a semblance of diversity. However, the series quickly raises eyebrows with its portrayal of race relations, where interactions feel anachronistic and overly simplistic, lacking the historical context that characterized the era.
One pivotal scene showcases a bar fight where the eldest son, from a white family, provokes conflict with an opposing family’s son. His multiracial siblings come to his defense, highlighting their solidarity despite the looming tensions of racial dynamics.
Anachronisms and Historical Accuracy
The conflated portrayals of racial alliances in The Abandons beg for scrutiny. The immediate camaraderie among the siblings—wherein a Black brother and a Native sister defend their white brother—fails to align with the historical reality of post-Civil War America. During that era, inter-racial interactions often carried severe risks, and the idea that non-white individuals could strike out against white aggressors without facing dire consequences feels fantastical.
While the writers may have intended to provide their characters with agency by showcasing them as active participants in familial duty, it risks trivializing the real historical violence that governed relationships among races. The omission of the palpable threat of European social control dilutes the gravity of their agency, thereby stripping away nuanced survival strategies that Black and Native individuals historically had to navigate.
The Question of Agency and Historical Narratives
There is a valid sentiment among some Black individuals who prefer to avoid media that revisits traumatic narratives, such as slavery. Yet, there exists a pressing need for stories that authentically capture the intricate agency required for survival against systemic oppression. The Abandons, with its superficial treatment of Black and Native experiences, offers neither a genuine exploration of those lived realities nor an opportunity for meaningful dialogue.
For a contemporary Western to authentically challenge the genre’s established misogyny and racism, Black and Indigenous narratives must be woven into the central fabric of the story, not relegated to mere background characters. Representation cannot simply be ornamental; it needs to resonate with depth and honesty.
Rethinking Representation
If we’re discussing representation, one must consider the potential for actors of color to take on roles traditionally reserved for white characters. This idea isn’t new; Denzel Washington, for instance, has masterfully brought life to characters in Shakespearean adaptations, thus challenging traditional casting conventions.
During a time when the complexities of African American history face increasing scrutiny, it becomes crucial for films and series to confront and illuminate the systems of oppression that have shaped societal narratives. When The Abandons opts for a sanitized portrayal of relationships, it risks misinforming viewers about the historical realities that underpin contemporary discussions of race and agency.
Moving Forward
Promoting agency, resistance, and survival through on-screen narratives is essential, yet this representation must stem from well-researched and sincere portrayals. The Abandons falls short of this aim, as it veers into tokenism rather than advancing the genre into more profound territories. The series does not cultivate a richer understanding of the past but rather echoes a familiar narrative, one that marginalizes Black and Indigenous experiences in favor of a white-centric storyline.
As the artistic landscape continues to evolve, it is vital that creators remain attuned to the historical contexts they draw upon, ensuring that the stories told not only reflect complexity but also honor the varied experiences of all individuals they represent.