Thanksgiving for me was a blast! What better time to have fun with family and friends than to binge watch Netflix after eating an entire feast?! When Netflix mentioned Spike Lee's 1986 film, "She's Gotta Have It" would be revamped for 2017, I was intrigued.
I asked myself what themes would they focus on? Will the series be true to the themes people face today? How will Nola Darling, a symbol of black female empowerment be portrayed in 2017? I watched the film for the first time in college. After watching the film, I knew, this was the type of film that needed to be unpacked....
From the curated music to the relevant themes (street harassment, race, gentrification, gender) I felt the series was a necessary homage to the borough of Brooklyn and specifically to Black young women. What captivated me most wasn’t the theme of Nola’s revolving lover’s but, the women who influenced Nola’s journey of self-discovery.
Yes – Nola is a symbol of black female sexual empowerment. Yes – Nola has four lovers. However, from Nola’s friends to her elder counterparts (Dr. Jamison, her therapist, Ms. Ella her landlord, and Ms. Raquelleta Moss, the educator) the women in the film encapsulated a sense of black sisterhood that was refreshing and furthered the development of 1986 Nola to 2017 Nola. I would like to see more about Nola’s friends and less about the lover’s in her life. For now, this was a great start.
From Gentrification to Street Harassment, I think the series got it write with cutting a piece of New York and placing it into the homes of many. Excited to see what more is in store for season 2.
What are your thoughts on the new series?
What do you think will come in Season 2?
What were your thoughts after watching the series?