Granderson: ‘Sinners’ is the story of our moment, from a past chapter of ‘divide and conquer’

by

The Oscar nominations have been announced, and expect lots of online discussion about who deserves to win! Leading the conversation is Ryan Coogler’s latest film, “Sinners,” which has received a remarkable 16 nominations – including one for Best Picture.

Though often labeled a horror film due to its vampire villain, “Sinners” is more accurately a compelling work of historical fiction. What truly sets it apart are the rich details that bring the 1930s Mississippi Delta – during the Jim Crow era – to life. Director Coogler depicts this time and place with a documentary-like approach, showcasing everything from the presence of the Choctaw people to the stark reality of segregation. Unlike typical horror films that focus on scares, “Sinners” emphasizes the historical context, making the atmosphere and setting just as important as the supernatural elements.

Everyone’s predicting how much Oscar success “Sinners” will have, and that’s sparking a lot of online discussion. But one thing is certain: Ryan Coogler has created the most important film for today’s world. The movie is fundamentally about who feels like they belong – and who doesn’t. It doesn’t rely on big, inspirational speeches about diversity; instead, Coogler subtly shows us that America has always been a diverse nation by realistically depicting life as it was a century ago.

The vampire Remmick is more than just an antagonist with fangs.

He’s the son of an Irish immigrant whose ancestors suffered under English rule, losing their land and religious freedom over centuries. While his exact age is unknown, history tells us that by 1690, around 80% of Ireland’s prime farmland had been seized by wealthy English settlers, forcing millions off their land. Then, in 1845, a deadly fungus wiped out 40% of Ireland’s potato crop – the main food source for the poor. By the next year, nearly all the potatoes were infected, leading to years of devastating famine.

From 1846 to 1851, over a million Irish people perished due to starvation and disease. Tragically, most of these deaths were preventable.

While the Irish people starved, the food grown on their own land was sent to England to support those who were exploiting them. This suffering was made even worse by widespread evictions, with British soldiers often forcibly removing families – including women and children – from their homes during the harsh winter months. As a result, many were forced to flee to America and other countries, seeking a chance for a better life.

By today’s standards, some immigrated to this country legally.

Most did not.

Irish immigrants often faced intense racism, sometimes even from Irish Americans who hoped to improve their own standing by separating themselves from those still struggling. In the late 1800s, flawed scientific ideas falsely labeled Irish Americans as a different race from other European immigrants, and they weren’t fully accepted as white until after World War I. This discrimination was openly displayed through signs stating “Irish need not apply” and was a key part of the anti-immigrant views of groups like the Know Nothing Party.

Who are they, you ask?

Remember how Donald Trump, while campaigning, said he knew nothing about Project 2025? And how figures like House Speaker Mike Johnson often respond to tough questions by claiming they don’t know or don’t remember? That tactic has a troubling history, echoing strategies used by groups like the Know Nothing Party. Throughout American history, powerful people – like the wealthy industrialists of the Gilded Age – have divided communities and pitted people against each other to maintain control.

Northern Irish comedian and columnist Jake O’Kane recently made a pointed statement about Irish American immigration agents. He accused them of betraying the legacy of their ancestors – the Irish immigrants who traveled by ship to America – by now being the ones who hunt down immigrants. He strongly criticized their actions, stating they’ve lost their Irish heritage and become akin to ‘house slaves,’ motivated not by care for the system but by a desire to dismantle it, mirroring the rebellious spirit of their ancestors.

The experiences of Irish immigrants in America explain why the vampire Remmick, trying to recruit Black people facing discrimination under Jim Crow laws, would say: “I offer you a way out. Society has already abandoned you, refusing to let you thrive or connect with others. We can build a new life together, forever.”

His point resonated because it reflected a reality we see today – the feeling of being an outsider. Many of us connected with “Sinners” while watching history repeat itself, with powerful, wealthy people profiting as vulnerable groups suffer, like children being separated from their families and those in poverty being pitted against each other.

We won’t know if “Sinners” wins Best Picture for 2025 for several weeks. However, the film already stands out for its stark and honest portrayal of the darkness in the world.

YouTube: @LZGrandersonShow

Read More

2026-01-24 14:31