The controversial show has become an even bigger question mark after the deadly white-supremacist rally in Virginia
“Confederate, ” the forthcoming HBO show about an America where the rebelling Southern states managed to win the Civil War, was. With “Game of Thrones” creators D. B. Weiss and David Benioff — a team that has shown a distinct inability to handle issues of race and slavery — at the helm, it was like. Already, the hashtag can be seen rising on Twitter trending lists whenever “Game of Thrones” airs. With this weekend’s deadly, vicious white-supremacist rallies in Charlottesville, Virginia, the questions, reservations and criticisms attached to the project seemed amplified. After all, many of the angry fascist, racist protestors there not only carried Confederate battle flags, supported the Southern position of black subservience and were there (ostensibly) to protect a statue of Confederate icon Gen. Robert E. Lee, but many who attended were attached to as well. As Monique Judge, “There’s no need for a show about the confederacy when we watched it play out in real life on the internet and TV screens all day and night.” After spending the day crafting a statement in response to events that demanded one, representatives for HBO last evening saying, “We support everybody’s right to express an opinion but the suggestion of irresponsibility on our part is simply undeserved.” The statement continued “HBO has a long history of championing intelligent storytelling and we will approach this project with the same level of thoughtfulness that has always defined our programming. We recognize the sensitivity of this project and will treat it with the respect that it deserves. Our creative partners should be given time to develop the series rather than face prejudgment.” It is a statement that is, at least on one level, understandable in its defensiveness, and yet one that underlines a continued disconnect between the network and the concerns of its critics. While, yes, it is unfair to judge a show by an initial press release in general, it fair — and necessary — to point out the specific problems this specific show presents on its face. Not only is the subject matter and conceit of “Confederate” ill timed, potentially offensive it is unnecessary for anyone attuned to the ongoing racial issues that have plagued America since its foundations. Ask most black people if they need a premium-cable show depicting a fictional supremacist nation. They’ ll tell you supremacy is a reality they live every single day. Allegories for facts staring you in the face are not always necessary, wanted or helpful.
