The documentary “South to Black Power” directed by Sam Pollard and Llewellyn M. Smith explores the idea of a “Great Migration in reverse,” as presented in Charles M. Blow’s 2021 book “The Devil You Know: A Black Power Manifesto.” In the film, Blow argues that Black Americans should head to the South in order to build a majority and seize political power in the region.
During the 2020 presidential election, Georgia provided evidence in support of Blow’s thesis, and the documentary follows Blow as he visits Mississippi, Alabama, and the Carolinas in the run-up to the 2022 midterm elections. The film features interviews with individuals who have different perspectives on Blow’s proposal, including those who have never left the South, those who have returned, and those who have put down new roots with empowerment in mind.
The documentary offers an in-depth look at Blow’s argument, presenting various viewpoints and perspectives on the concept of a mass migration to the South. The film also explores alternative paths to political gains, such as community empowerment efforts in neighborhoods like Chicago’s Englewood.
The historic context of this topic stems from the Great Migration of the early 20th century, when millions of Black Americans moved from the rural South to urban areas in the North and West in search of better opportunities and to escape racial discrimination. “South to Black Power” revisits this historic movement and proposes a new direction for the empowerment of Black Americans.
Overall, the documentary offers a thought-provoking exploration of racial politics and the potential for change in the American South. It challenges viewers to consider alternative paths to political power and raises important questions about the future of Black Americans in the United States.
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