Marginalized Voices in Documentary

Documentaries are meant to represent reality. To some modicum or degree. That has been the clear and only definitive definition we have come to throughout our time in this class. In our studies of the frameworks/modes we examined just how many techniques and filmmaking principles could be applied in getting one message or another across. But the main throughline that has linked all our studies and screenings was certainly that this particular genre of films is meant to showcase some level of actuality. As elaborated especially in the last few weeks of film viewings and readings, it is important for documentaries to thus represent and portray a wide variety of different voices and perspectives. Because in order to adequately represent the rich expanse of human diversity, one must first make space for such voices to be shared, and then simply share them. 

Ultimately this is what I believe our study of the book Between the World and Me and our viewing of Paris is Burning was attempting to convey. While the main subject material of both feature different marginalized groups, at their core, their very essence is the same. Both works are made by and for the people they seek to represent, with their creators clearly demonstrating a complex and strong dedication to magnifying said voices. 

Between the World and Me is an auto-biographical book, written by Ta-Nehisi Coates in the form of a letter to his son. In it, he explores and expounds upon his experience living as a Black man in the United States. He shares the nitty gritty of all aspects from his life, simultaneously showcasing the positives while also not shying away from some of the harsher truths about the experience for people of color in past and present times. In doing so, Coates is able to paint a very vivid and personal picture that accomplishes two things; representation and information. The stories he tells are his, but many share similarities to other people’s lived experiences. Thus, it represents them to a certain degree. Additionally, from the very nature of the book and through sharing many details, he informs his readers about important issues. This is especially helpful for people of different backgrounds who may have been fortunate enough to not have to experience such things in their own lives. Through reading Coate’s words and understanding his story, they can gain awareness of the injustices and prejudice that plagues our society today.

In a similar vein, Paris is Burning commits to a comparable cause. The filmmaker took her time in interviewing and capturing as much material from the subjects as possible. She lets the marginalized speak for themselves. Perhaps one of the key benefits of the film format is that the creators can take the spoken experience of these members of the LGBTQIA+ community and link them to each other by cutting their footage together. Like the book, Paris is Burning seeks to represent by magnifying the voices of these subjects and letting them tell their own stories. Throughout the film, the audience is shown and told that these individuals simply wish to be accepted for who they are, they have the same dreams and wishes like anyone else, and the prejudices working against them fundamentally go against the very fact that they are humans too. This film, like Coates’ own words, also doesn’t shy away from the harder and darker aspects of life for these marginalized people. It seeks to truly represent their reality by showing the good and the bad. Footage of glamour and community is juxtaposed with footage of the harassment some of these queens experience on the daily. In doing so, it too informs the viewers about the inequalities faced by members of this community.

All in all, both pieces of work are seminally important in representing and magnifying the voices of POC and LGBTQIA+ individuals. They inform us and teach us about different lived experiences, which ultimately are as important as ever for us as filmmakers to understand. To truly and adequately represent reality, we must do our due diligence in listening to these different voices so that we can better learn perhaps the most important connector of all, that binds humanity together: empathy.