Slave Patriotism

Dear Oscar Micheaux,

As a fellow pioneer of African American creative works during a time in which the institution of slavery deemed us as exploitable and inhuman due to the color of our skin, I commend the magnificent piece of film you directed, "Within Our Gates". You have portrayed and exposed both the petty and grand practices of slavery, from cheating slaves of their money due to their illiteracy and lack of educational attainment to the atrocity of lynching. Ellen and I especially admired the construction of the film's plot in featuring a strong-willed African American woman, Sylvia Landry, as the protagonist without subjecting her to the typical lovestruck damsel in distress. Just as Ellen undertook enormous courage to disguise herself as a white male slaveowner when we escaped the South, Sylvia stayed virtuous and brave in her pursuits to gain sponsorship for her school; indeed we were surprised (yet somehow perhaps not all that surprised) that the ultimate sponsor was a white female philanthropist! We enjoyed your film very much, and it is truly a masterpiece that is worthy of representing both the African American struggle and the African American female struggle.

Worthy, all except for the last scene, unfortunately.

"Be proud of our country, always!" Where in the world did this scene come from? There had been no context whatsoever of patriotism as an African American, nor can I call this an appropriate transition from Sylvia's history that contained such cruel oppression we African Americans, enslaved and free, are subjected to in the very "country" your character speaks of. Ellen was also upset by the closing line that supposedly is a declaration of Dr. Vivian's love for Sylvia, in saying, "In spite of your misfortunes, you will always be a patriot - and a tender wife." For all the accomplishments and independence that Sylvia gained throughout the film, it concludes with the almost Hollywood-like trope of a "happy ending" for the female protagonist; law-abiding and servile. Do you forget that the only way for Ellen and I to finally find freedom without fear of being sent back into slavery was by leaving the United States once and for all? Was this a desperate last minute attempt to somehow not have your film censored by "our country"? Ultimately, your film was still censored, and I believe the least you could have done is persevered in doing our race justice for all that we have suffered.

Regards,
William Craft