Written by: Pilar Jefferson
Spoiler Alert: Minor spoilers for the first season of Rutherford Falls
What does it mean for a Black woman to be the mayor of a town that refuses to recognize Native sovereignty? This is the question I was left with after watching the first season of Rutherford Falls, a new show from Sierra Teller Ornelas (Navajo), about the fight for the history and future of the titular Rutherford Falls, a small fictional town somewhere in the Northeast founded in the early colonial period and next to/on the land of the also fictional Minishonka Nation.
Over the shows ten episodes we see the various powers that try to out-scheme each other with hilarious, and poignant, results. The cast is stellar including Ed Helms as Nathan Rutherford, the towns manic protector of white colonial history. Then there is Michael Greyeyes as Terry Thomas, the savvy council member and casino director of the Minishonka Nation, and, of course, the incomparable Jana Schmielding as Reagan Wells, bright but beleaguered upholder of Minishoka cultural history. Next to this lineup, we learn next to nothing about Mayor Deirdre Chisenhall, the Black woman in question played by Dana L. Wilson that really fleshes out her motivations in the story, which leads her to fall a little flat.
While network television is slowly realizing that Black women have nuance and depth, the TV mythos of the strong Black woman still wins the day. This archetypal woman is undoubtedly badass and usually in a position of power, but does not get the emotional backstory that her fellow characters do. Though some of the worst strong Black woman stereotypes are avoided here, there arent quite enough good points to keep Deirdre out of two-dimensional territory. And, her motivations really matter because her character on the show can also help us start a conversation about the relationship between Black and Native people in the United States today and why Black people have to name decolonization, with an emphasis on land back, while were fighting for abolition. We cant have one without the other.
The two big things we do learn about Deirdre are, first, that shes ambitious and cares about her personal image as mayor and second, that her family has been in Rutherford Falls for nearly as long as the Rutherfords. Both of these points leave plenty of room for the writers to explore the deep relationship between anti-Black racism and the colonization of Native land, but they never quite get there.
Here are the things they missed that could greatly improve our understanding of Deirdres position in Rutherford Falls:
My third critique ties into what I think is actually really important about Deirdre Chisenhalls character and why she matters to how we think about Black and Native solidarity today. As of the end of Season 1, all weve seen is her paying attention to her personal image, which doesnt sit quite right in this case because Black people, even when in positions of power, are well aware of their own history and dreams for the future. Perhaps the Minishonka Council are happy that Deidre keeps the non-Native weirdos in town on a leash. Thats fine. Her ambition isnt a problem in and of itself, and her cut-throat candor is one of the most fun parts of her character. But when we see Black excellence as only climbing the ladder and achieving roles that our ancestors could never have dreamed of, we need to pay attention to when those roles place us in positions of power within a settler colonial state. If representation matters, sovereignty matters more. Abolition matters more. And, like I said before, its a package deal.
The Black community has embraced the concept of Black ambition, Black excellence, and rightly so. We have so much stacked against us that seeing fictional Black excellence can remind us that there are Black people in the future and that we deserve to thrive not just survive. But we as Black people cannot win by the rules of todays state. Even if every diversity, equity, access, and inclusion committee at every business in America sticks with their 2020 commitments to anti-racism and Black people are finally able to call the shots, we will still be living on stolen land. Capitalism and racism go hand in hand. While I dont begrudge Black peoples financial means or career success, it does not mean the work is over. We will not have truly dismantled the colonial system that brought our ancestors to this land until we return that land to the people it came from.
This past year has been full of interracial reckoning and movement toward solidarity. One conversation that I see starting to happen is where interracial solidarity lies between Black and Native people and what we as Black people need to consider about Native rights as we fight for our own liberty, and vice versa.
So, as much as I want Deidre Chisenhall to be so much more in her name-taking, pantsuit-wearing, Black woman ferocity, I also see that she is a reminder that there is solidarity work with Native folks we desperately need to do. Hopefully, NBC renews Rutherford Falls so we can see the light of that solidarity, and Deirdre in her full glory, blossom on the small screen.
Originally posted here:
Black Women and Native Sovereignty in 'Rutherford Falls' - Black Girl Nerds
- The Abolition of Work--Bob Black - Primitivism [Last Updated On: March 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 25th, 2016]
- Part I: The Abolition of Work - Inspiracy [Last Updated On: June 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 10th, 2016]
- Bob Black - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2016]
- Campaign for the Abolition of Terrier Work - Badger Baiting [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2016]
- The Abolition of Work Bob Black [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2016]
- The Abolition of Work & Other Essays by Bob Black ... [Last Updated On: June 19th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 19th, 2016]
- The Abolition of Work - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: June 19th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 19th, 2016]
- William Wilberforce: biography and bibliography [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2016]
- THE ABOLITION OF WORK - Deoxy [Last Updated On: June 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 25th, 2016]
- The Abolition of Work by Bob Black - Inspiracy [Last Updated On: July 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 12th, 2016]
- Campaign for the Abolition of Terrier Work - About Us [Last Updated On: July 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 23rd, 2016]
- Abolition - The African-American Mosaic Exhibition ... [Last Updated On: August 14th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 14th, 2016]
- Granville Sharp (1735-1813) The Civil Servant, Abolition ... [Last Updated On: August 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 23rd, 2016]
- Abolition of Work - scribd.com [Last Updated On: September 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 16th, 2016]
- THE ABOLITION OF WORK by Bob Black [Last Updated On: September 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 16th, 2016]
- The Abolition of Work and Other Essays: Bob Black ... [Last Updated On: September 20th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 20th, 2016]
- The Abolitionists: The Abolition of Slavery Project [Last Updated On: September 20th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 20th, 2016]
- Abolitionism - United States American History [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2016]
- Nobel Peace Prize | Nobels fredspris [Last Updated On: November 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 21st, 2016]
- Contract Labour Act, 1970 - Vakilno1.com [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2016]
- The Abolition of Man - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: November 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 29th, 2016]
- Abolition of the ESA Work-Related Activity Component ... [Last Updated On: December 2nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 2nd, 2016]
- Prison abolition movement - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: December 2nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 2nd, 2016]
- The Pro-Slavery Lobby: The Abolition of Slavery Project [Last Updated On: December 7th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 7th, 2016]
- What is Slavery?: The Abolition of Slavery Project [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2016]
- The Abolition of Work | The Base [Last Updated On: January 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 6th, 2017]
- Trump's Big Lie About 3 Million "Alien Voters" Cuts Far Deeper Than You Think - Truth-Out [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Equality in Democracy: Tocqueville's Prediction of a Falling America - CNSNews.com [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- The question employers are wary to ask: when are you going to retire? - The Conversation UK [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Indian Govt's Abolition of FIPB Will Help Spur Up Foreign Investments - Entrepreneur [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- High time for states to invest in alternatives to migrant detention - ReliefWeb [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Indian sex worker groups slam global conference on abolition of prostitution - Reuters [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Donald Trump 'taking steps to abolish Environmental Protection Agency' - The Guardian [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Exploiting black labor after the abolition of slavery - Baraboo News Republic [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Justice Ginsburg Backs Abolition Of The Electoral College - Daily Caller [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- If alliance wins, making CMPof 2 manifestoes will be a task - Hindustan Times [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Effective abolition of child labour (DECLARATION) [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Judicial review is government at work - The Independent Florida Alligator [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Did Darwin's theory of evolution encourage abolition of slavery ... - Washington Post [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Italy sets up fast-track asylum courts for migrants - The Local Italy [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Take Five: Susan B. Anthony - The Sun Chronicle [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Pope Francis on death penalty - Philippine Star [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Protests as Iowa considers its own 'Scott Walker bill' - Washington Examiner [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Executives Reflect on Evolving GUSA - Georgetown University The Hoya [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Report: Improved school access in Tanzania still leaves work to be done - Africa Times [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Might mandatory retirement come back with 70 as the new 65? - The Globe and Mail [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Monument to Thomas Fowell Buxton on Bincleaves Green in Weymouth - Dorset Echo [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Tate announce QUEER BRITISH ART 1861-1967 - FAD magazine [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- County To Apply for Grant for I.V. Community Center | The Daily Nexus - Daily Nexus [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- The myth of the alpha leader is destroying our relationshipsat work and at home - Quartz [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Equalities Secretary to seek UK assurances over benefits after ... - AOL Money UK [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Disobedience: What Can We Risk? - Mad In America [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2017]
- Govt mulls abolition of parallel degree programs in public varsities - Capital FM Kenya (press release) (blog) [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2017]
- The redeeming chaos of a bull in the government china shop - Charleston Post Courier [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- Westminster warned against benefits 'claw back' once 'bedroom tax' abolished in Scotland - Scottish Housing News [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- Opinion: Let's take discourse about HB2 beyond just money - The Daily Tar Heel [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Fighting voter ID laws in the courts isn't enough. We need boots on the ground - Los Angeles Times [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Oped: Fight ID laws one voter at a time - York Dispatch [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Age Action calls on TDs to back Bill abolishing mandatory retirement ... - BreakingNews.ie [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- New York dockers' union calls for abolition of crime-busting Waterfront Commission - The Loadstar [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Molly J. McGrath: Fight ID laws one voter at a time - Madison.com [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Frederick Douglass Park: We're Fixing Our Typo! - Nashville Scene [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Jim Goetsch: Abolition of abortions means changing the way we think - The Union of Grass Valley [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Abolishing provincial championships only way to cure fixture ... - Irish Independent [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- Labor won't fight any Fair Work Commission decision to cut Sunday penalty rates: Bill Shorten - Western Advocate [Last Updated On: February 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 26th, 2017]
- Committee expected to recommend 100m water charges refunds to those who have paid up - Irish Independent [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Sinn Fein attacks schools minister over plan to merge two transfer tests - Belfast Telegraph [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- 'As a lecturer in the 1980s, I kept my sexual orientation to myself' - Times Higher Education (THE) [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Coveney says he will not legislate for water charges abolition as it would be illegal - thejournal.ie [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Taoiseach refuses to back down on water - Newstalk 106-108 fm [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2017]
- Heart of Smartness - Chronicle of Higher Education (subscription) (blog) [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- 10 must see events in Hull 2017 season three Freedom this summer - Hull Daily Mail [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- We are sick of being told what to do, says Freddie Forsyth - Express.co.uk [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- Corruption: Abolish security votes, peg minimum wage at N50,000 Ekweremadu - Vanguard [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- Saudi employers given one month to return passports - Gulf Business - Gulf Business News [Last Updated On: March 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 5th, 2017]
- Religious bodies misguided - Trinidad & Tobago Express [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2017]
- Ousted Rec Director Loses Case Against City - Athletic Business (blog) [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2017]
- Any deal must provide route to full pay restoration, says ASTI - Irish Times [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2017]
- Analysis of Pauline Hanson's flat 2 per cent tax shows it would help overseas imports - The West Australian [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2017]
- Taxes for self-employed likely to rise in Hammond's budget - The Guardian [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2017]