"In that sense, the Irish vampire and the Black people he’s turned share a cross-racial history of marginalization and violence."
Van Morrison, whose music can best be described as a fusion of Black American blues and Irish romanticism, is a real world reflection of that shared history.
I wish I didn’t know this. I hope it doesn’t interfere with joy I get from his music. Forgive me for being off topic here. Which leads to a question: are art and the artist separate? Can I listen to Micheal Jackson’s music, or is it tainted by his horrific crimes? I go back and forth, but the knowledge of his actions makes it harder to listen to. What about Neil Gaiman? JK Rowling is easy- I won’t fund her hate. But in other cases, the crime is done, and the art exists separate from it. What are your thoughts?
It kind of depends on who it is…I still listen to miles Davis and James brown, who were both vicious domestic abusers. Still listen to old van Morrison too, though my interest in his recent anti Covid screeds is nil.
Rowling is a pretty unique case, since she’s become the leader of an international hate movement funded by her cute children’s books…
Thanks for this, the subtleties of the movie are really playing around in my brain and while I may never feel smart enough to get it, your take helps me get some closer.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he is directly linking to Morrison. He’s so clearly connecting to Peele and Baldwin, and there’s probably some Zora Neale Hurston in the film that I don’t know about. — By the way, you didn’t mention Coogler’s wonderful debut, “Fruitvale” (aka Fruitvale Station), although I bet you have seen it. One of the two most emotionally harrowing movies I’ve ever experienced (the other being “Boys Don’t Cry”). When a class and I discussed “Fruitvale” a few years ago (2017, to be precise), we stopped after one of two planned sessions because we were so overwhelmed by it.
"In that sense, the Irish vampire and the Black people he’s turned share a cross-racial history of marginalization and violence."
Van Morrison, whose music can best be described as a fusion of Black American blues and Irish romanticism, is a real world reflection of that shared history.
He is…and he’s also unfortunately a reactionary Covid truther, which is also in line with the film I think…
I wish I didn’t know this. I hope it doesn’t interfere with joy I get from his music. Forgive me for being off topic here. Which leads to a question: are art and the artist separate? Can I listen to Micheal Jackson’s music, or is it tainted by his horrific crimes? I go back and forth, but the knowledge of his actions makes it harder to listen to. What about Neil Gaiman? JK Rowling is easy- I won’t fund her hate. But in other cases, the crime is done, and the art exists separate from it. What are your thoughts?
It kind of depends on who it is…I still listen to miles Davis and James brown, who were both vicious domestic abusers. Still listen to old van Morrison too, though my interest in his recent anti Covid screeds is nil.
Rowling is a pretty unique case, since she’s become the leader of an international hate movement funded by her cute children’s books…
Thanks for this, the subtleties of the movie are really playing around in my brain and while I may never feel smart enough to get it, your take helps me get some closer.
Thanks for your discussion of this fascinating movie.
I was inspired by it to write four short texts in response to it. I’d be glad to hear what you and your readers think of them.
The last of them, from 2 June, is here (with the previous three being the ones from 30 May to 1 June):
https://andrewjshields.blogspot.com/2025/06/past-present-and-future-in-moment-of.html
Interesting! I don’t know much about first Corinthians, but Coogler could be referencing Morrison directly I think?
I wouldn’t be surprised if he is directly linking to Morrison. He’s so clearly connecting to Peele and Baldwin, and there’s probably some Zora Neale Hurston in the film that I don’t know about. — By the way, you didn’t mention Coogler’s wonderful debut, “Fruitvale” (aka Fruitvale Station), although I bet you have seen it. One of the two most emotionally harrowing movies I’ve ever experienced (the other being “Boys Don’t Cry”). When a class and I discussed “Fruitvale” a few years ago (2017, to be precise), we stopped after one of two planned sessions because we were so overwhelmed by it.
I haven't seen it! That's why I didn't discuss it. I haven't seen Creed either honestly; I need to get to both of them...
Yes Fruitvale shook my world when I saw it