We can all learn from the Choctaw in Sinners

Some of us need to nope out a little more often

*the following includes a small but by no means plot critical spoiler but if you want to skip it until you’ve seen the movie just scroll down to the Choose the Bear section*

So… Sinners. I saw it twice this weekend. I also bought the movie poster for my movie-themed guest room and will obviously be buying the special edition DVD the first second it comes out. It is no surprise to me that this movie is a massive hit- it’s smart, well made, not based on IP, and features not one but two Michael B. Jordans. Sinners proves once again (and this may actually be Ryan Coogler’s real specialty) that there is plenty of money to be made from really really good Black movies and that American movie audiences are absolutely craving intelligent, creative, competently made films, preferably starring multiple Michael Bs. We do not, in any timeline, on any plane, need another Marvel movie. And I say this as a huge fan of the decade long RDJ Marvel pantheon.

Everything about Sinners is delectable but my absolute favorite moment is the sixty five seconds in which the Choctaw vampire hunters do what a lot of us should have been doing for a long time now. They follow the vampire, knock on the nice KKK lady’s door, offer to help her once, and when she refuses it, they peace out and go on home, never to be seen again.

This reminded me of the messages that were flooding Black womens’ inboxes in the days after the election, in which we were all saying “these people are on their own now”. You may have seen the social media trend of showing black women learning new dances while the world burns because we have decided to protect our peace.

The Choctaw deciding that they were not going to endanger themselves or their loved ones to protect this white woman as she held a shotgun to their faces was *chef’s kiss* beautiful. After all, that woman with the Grand Dragon robe in the back of her shanty house was living on their land. Die, b*tch.

I decided a long time ago that there are 8 billion people in the world and I only need about 5 of them to like me so anyone who does not meet my standards can go straight to hell. This is a policy that has worked well for me. I don’t suffer fools, don’t allow men to use their weaponized incompetence against me, don’t text people who never text first. I burn bridges with glee. My peace is, and I cannot stress this enough, protected. I don’t even care if you are related to me. Go bother someone else.

In 2025, more of us need to channel this Choctaw vampire hunter energy. You do not need the world to like you. You need enough people for a small book club or a decent game of Catan. And you absolutely never need to endanger yourself for someone who is not asking for your help. If they want to invite the vampire in, let them. Just get right back on your horse and ride yourself into the sunset.

Choose the Bear

This week’s guest is

Kathleen Moss

, author of the A Breast Cancer Diary Substack and absolute badass warrior woman. Kathleen is using her platform to show the world that women can live brave, free, joyful lives after cancer, and even after mastectomies. She is funny, kind, and even told the story of adopting her foster daughter as a single woman. It was such an honor to talk to a woman who has taken what could have been a tragedy and turned it into a badge of courage. Find the ep wherever you find your pods, at Choose the Bear, or the links below.

What to do With Yourself

Black Mirror (Netflix)- There is a new season of Black Mirror and they have finally found their footing again. I really enjoyed every episode and, while we’ll never get the shock value of season one back, I think they delivered a really solid season.

Stephen Fry Gadget Man (Prime)- A few weeks ago I recommended Richard Ayoade’s Gadget Man and then I learned that it has been done before! And by the marvelous Stephen Fry no less! So now you can increase your hours of gadgety goodness!

The Gypsy Tiny Desk Concert is finally out!

Listen

Also the Gypsy Original Broadway Cast recording is finally out! Everything’s coming up Audra! Find it wherever you find your Spotify.