Better by Blaxploitation: Boss
In part two of our self-improvement series, things are going to get controversial.
As we continue to look to Blaxploitation cinema for life-affirming lessons on how to be a better, more successful person, a certain word was bound to pop up.
I’m not a big fan of the word itself because of the historical implications. Even so, we can’t just shut our eyes and plug our ears to history. Words need context to have meaning.
Today, I’m using the word in the context that it was presented in when this week’s Better by Blaxploitation film debuted in 1975.
It’s not just about oppression. It’s about overcoming it.
Consider yourself warned.
Boss Nigger
Starring Fred “The Hammer” Williamson, D’Urville Martin and William Smith
Written by Fred Williamson
Directed by Jack Arnold
4/5
This time around, two black bounty hunters are chasing down a fugitive in the Old West. After finding themselves in a town with no sheriff, they declare themselves the law despite the inept mayor’s objections and take advantage of the racist townsfolk while they wait to catch their man.
You think the title’s bad? You’ll love the trailer…
Three Main Lessons:
1) Comeuppance is something to be relished.
Given the title of the film, you’ve got to be functionally disadvantaged if you think you won’t hear the N-bomb a lot.
As Boss (Williams) and his trusty sidekick Amos (D’Urville Martin) become sheriff and deputy, they set up “Black Man’s Law” – fines and jail sentences for any and all who disrespect them in their new positions and especially for use of the “N” word.
While Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles from 1974 played the idea of a black sheriff in the Old West for comedic effect, Williamson’s film from 1975 takes the idea and uses it towards a sense of wish fulfillment. What persecuted person has ever not fantasized about getting back at his or her oppressor?
If others have kept you back by their actions and you’ve finally overcome their roadblocks, enjoy the victory. If others have fallen victim to their own ignorance and efforts to hurt you, enjoy that too. Relish that feeling, but don’t gloat. If your enemies have learned their lesson, they could make better allies later on.
2) Do what’s right. Always.
On top of fighting racism in his own special way, Boss also takes the time to actually fight injustice despite his less-than-legitimate position. He rescues a woman (Carmen Hayworth) from an ambush that claims her father. He helps feed a poor Mexican family by brazenly stealing food from the local store, later having it billed to the town’s corrupt mayor. Along the way, he wins the favour of the town’s hot schoolteacher (Barbara Leigh), a decent reward in itself.
Sometimes what’s right isn’t always what’s legal, but you’ll sleep better for doing right.
3) Controversy sells. Use it.
Fred Williamson made his way into film after his pro football career ended in 1968. He had a role in the film M*A*S*H and, by 1973, was regularly starring in Blaxploitation classics like Hammer and Black Caesar. Williamson began writing screenplays with Boss Nigger, eventually producing and directing as well by 1976’s Adios Amigo.
In 1972, Williamson and Martin first teamed up to star in Martin Goldman and Larry Spangler’s The Legend of Nigger Charley, becoming one of Paramount Studio’s highest-grossing movies of the year according to Wikipedia. The film was quickly followed in 1973 by The Soul of Nigger Charley and in 1975 with Boss Nigger. In the 2008 DVD release of the film (simply titled Boss), Williamson credits using the “N” word with creating sensationalism and success at the box office. He also offers a sober reminder of the word’s context in the films:
“You have to remember that all those who used that word against me in those films regretted it.”
Controversy works. It’s just a matter of using the right amount at the right time.
And in the right context.
Full disclosure
Ladies, on behalf of real men everywhere, I have something to share:
We hate shopping with you.
If we’re trying to get in a relationship, we fake it well. Once we’re in, the last thing we want to do is spend an afternoon at Ikea being asked for an opinion you won’t pay attention to anyway.
Once in a relationship, men become tactical shoppers – we know what we want, we get it, then get the fuck out of the store.
We know you like to browse. Don’t complain if we get bored.
Going to Victoria’s Secret helps keep our interest though. That’s a good idea, because we know that what you’re shopping for will eventually benefit us.
Even so, we can’t go into the fitting room with you. We’re stuck trying to kill twenty minutes in a place with no gadgets to admire, no sports to watch and no booze to enjoy.
Oh, and we’re surrounded by pictures of half-naked women.
Honestly, you can’t be surprised if you take a look at our smartphone after we get home and find shots like this:
Don’t get mad. What else was there to do? You wanted company in the store.
If anything, it’s your fault.