The Book of Negroes (2015) | How Woke Is It?

Our VerdictWoke

63%

The Book of Negroes2015

In a free society the right to critique art is essential and protected speech. These reviews reflect personal opinions and not statements of fact.

What We Think

While "The Book of Negroes" foregrounds identity, it does so in a way true to its historical premise, keeping most modern political messaging at bay. Woke elements exist, but never reach the overbearing levels found in recent Hollywood efforts.

Score Breakdown

Compromised:Narrative Integrity

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What is this?

The show’s emphasis on historical authenticity means characters’ identities are central to the story, but that’s a product of the subject matter. While identity is foregrounded, the narrative generally avoids present-day ideological tropes and keeps focus on character-led storytelling.

Compromised:Cultural Foundations

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What is this?

Traditional norms around family and faith are treated with some nuance, but colonialism and Western culture are consistently depicted in a negative light. Still, the context, 18th-century slavery, necessitates much of this framing, so it doesn’t feel like pure modern revisionism.

Compromised:Ideological Monoculture

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What is this?

Alternative perspectives (beyond the abolitionist angle) are rarely explored, and antagonists are shown in stark moral contrast to protagonists. However, this isn’t out of line for historical dramas dealing with slavery, so can’t be dubbed full-blown ideological monoculture.

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Disclaimer: In a free society the right to critique art is essential and protected as a form of free speech and freedom of expression. The reviews and commentary on this site represent personal opinions and interpretations. They are not statements of fact and should not be taken as factual claims about any individual, company, or creative work.