Un-naturalizing Blackness

For a different take on the idea of blackness as alien, look no further than the famous tv show X-Files. In the episode titled, "The Unnatural" we come across an alien who has chosen to occupy the body of a black man in 1947. The alien explains he chose this because he will not be discovered and can experience heightened emotions such as laughter and singing which is not practiced on his planet. 

Not only is the alien in black face, and more disturbing yet, performs verbal black diction of a black human from that period, but the idea that he chose to use a black body to stay undetected is a complete misunderstanding of the positionally of black people during this time. Not only were black people watched and surveilled closely during this time but they were actively hunted by the KKK, who also make an appearance in this episode. 

Many issues need to be examined in this episode. The aliens reasoning for choosing a black body is primarily because he wanted to express emotions, and feel them more fully. The assumption that black people are more emotional and outspoken is a way to further perpetuate harmful stereotypes. 

Additionally, there is the underlying or even overt notion throughout this episode of black physical prowess. The director creates a narrative that assumes the audience would accept a black body showing exceptional athleticism and would further accept the idea that he would remain hidden.

As I mentioned earlier the KKK make an appearance in this episode. There is an alien hunter, hunting down the alien baseball player, who chooses to occupy the body of a KKK member. It really doesn't make sense that aliens coming from a sophisticated society would choose to participate in something as ignorant, violent, and backwards as the Klan, especially if he has the ability to shape shit into any form. 

Overall, this episode is packed with questionable choices. The director emphasizes that the notion of blackness is akin an alien race, and that someone from outer space would feel more comfortable in a black body even though they are subjected to discrimination and violence.