Happy holidays readers. As it is almost Christmas I would like to talk about the greatness that has been gifted upon us by the Netflix gods, and Spike Lee of course. Coming off of my last article about Black entertainment, I so gladly binged the Netflix adaptation of the original Spike Lee joint, She’s Gotta’ Have It. Honestly, the movie and the show are both so well written and acted; it’s worth your watch.
The original Spike Lee joint was released in in 1986 and the series came to Netflix in November of 2017. Both are available on the streaming service! So grab some popcorn, some girlfriends and enjoy.
For those who do not know the premise of the show or movie (no spoilers I promise) is about the beautiful and artfully skilled Nola Darling. She lives in New York City and is having sexual relationships with three men at once. We meet Mars, Jamie, and Greer and during this time the viewer learns what Nola sees in these men. They each want her to commit but she does not want to be tied to down to anyone of them.
What I love the most about the show is how honest Nola as a character is to herself. She unapologetically moves through the world, sporting her truth on her sleeve. Ms. Nola Darling, sees herself as a person who is enjoying life the way she wants, anyone who doesn’t like it can go somewhere else. She expresses her hate for the word ‘freak’ and I agree with her open expression. The word ‘freak’ is degrading; it puts people down who are merely expressing themselves.
She’s Gotta’ Have It, does more than just tell Nola’s story. It shows the freeness one is able to achieve when they accept themselves for who they are. It teaches us that once we accept our full truth, we can glide through the mess people say feel bad about who we are. We, like Nola Darling can be an advocate for sexuality. We can be artists, rebels; stand up against what’s seen as ‘normal’. Speak your truth from the rooftop because no one can be you but you.
Personally, Nola Darling and women like her have influenced me. I am usually shy and awkward about topics that pertain to the sexual side of our nature but now, I am slowly but surely breaking out of that shell and exploring what makes me, me.
