Part 1/12:
The Controversy Surrounding The Woman King: Unpacking the Backlash
Introduction: A Film at the Center of Darkness and Discontent
Recently, the release of The Woman King, a film starring Viola Davis and set in 19th-century Africa, has sparked significant controversy. The movie centers around an all-female warrior group from the Dahomey Kingdom, a real historical African polity known for its military prowess. However, what should have been a story of female empowerment and African history has instead ignited a fierce debate, largely fueled by revelations about the darker aspects of the tribe's past—particularly their involvement in the transatlantic slave trade.