One of my favourite American television series was a science fiction show, called “Fringe.” The first episodes focused mainly on gruesome and mysterious occurrences that were investigated and solved with science. Eventually, “Fringe” explored the concept of other versions of us existing in parallel universes. Fringe, especially in the first three seasons, was gold for those who are fascinated by mysteries, the weird or the complex. I found most if not every episode overwhelmingly impressive. However, seasons four and five were underwhelming. The series had established a brilliant storyline occurring between universes only to diverge from it in the last two seasons, leaving many unanswered questions.
Since “Fringe,” I have often thought about what if there were indeed other versions of us existing somewhere in parallel universes. We may wonder about better and worse versions of ourselves, especially when we are confronted with the challenges of living and questioning the point of life.
Any expression of art that explores other worlds or different versions of us intrigues me. For this reason, I was eager to see Jordan’s Peele’s second film, “Us.” The writer and director’s first film, “Get Out,” I enjoyed. I thought it was brilliant storytelling through which themes, such as racism in America, were explored but like never told before. I am bored by predictable storytelling or stories that are too simple, which “Get Out” was not and “Us” also is not. However, I did not like “Us.” While I appreciate artistic expressions that challenge my understanding, there must be some cohesiveness from what is presented. I think the exposition was satisfactory, but the series of events in the rising action could have occurred much earlier. Once the film reached the point of crisis, it became chaotic and dwelled more on gore than stimulation of the mind. But maybe all those aspects were deliberate on the part of Peele when I think about what I resolved was the overall message of the film. Still, characters making decisions that deviated from their archetype did not intrigue or fascinate me. But again, all those choices were perhaps deliberate when we consider the nature of man and how circumstances can tarnish our original traits or character.
The nature of the doppelgängers was not quite what I expected. Emerging from an underground society, their main intent was to kill their doubles, who were fortunate to live above ground. The film relied heavily on metaphors for aspects of American history and conspiracy theories that might not be familiar to the average Guyanese.
Nevertheless, I believe there is a universal message in the film – it explores the consequences when people allow their worst qualities to dominate the world in which we now live. Many current events may lead us to believe that that is happening. Sure, the worst aspects of mankind have been seen throughout history – wars, genocide, slavery, which all continue today – but if we look around our society now, murders, rapes, paedophilia and other forms of violence tell us that many of us have allowed the darkness within ourselves to overshadow the light, instead of finding an equilibrium. The powerful are eliminating the weaker in many places that are often not featured in the mainstream media, although sometimes the horror and suffering emerge. It exposes us as being good but often blinded by evil and compassionate but often merciless. Are we worse now? Are our advancements, liberalism, gluttony, vanity and materialism, revealing the very worst versions of ourselves to have ever existed on this planet? Will we eventually create our own apocalypse?
Is “Us” relevant to the Guyanese people? When we look at that which dominates our society, are we experiencing more of the worst aspects of ourselves or the better? Our motto is ‘One nation, one people, one destiny,’ which means that we are supposed to be existing as ‘us,’ rather than ‘they’ or ‘them,’ but is that wholly our reality? Are we a united people?
Our first responsibility to be whole is, of course, to ourselves. As individuals, we must figure out if we are truly satisfied with the version of ourselves that we portray to the world, if we are being genuine and how we affect society as a whole. Are we confident and happy with the choices we have made? Do we keep harbouring regrets? And do those regrets impair our present with struggles like depression or other forms of mental illness? Are we our worst enemies because our doubts and fears paralyse and prevent us from taking risks and testing our limits? Does our paralysis deny us experiences that would see us living more fulfilling lives and being happier? Are we denying ourselves happiness because of fear? Are we living our truth? If our thoughts were to be heard, could we still proudly face the world, or would we have to hide in shame?
Where are we as a society? When we think about our country, are we working towards common goals?
Much has been said about the political divisiveness that has crippled the progress of the Guyanese people. How we have damaged ourselves is no mystery, yet we have not destroyed ourselves, which means that there is still hope.
A few weeks ago, I had a conversation with an overseas-based Guyanese who was concerned about the current political climate and how it is affecting the average man. I said that most of the people seem unbothered and that while there are elements in our society trying to divide us, there is peace. I said that we had lived through worst times. Yet there was fear and concern on the part of the individual, who mentioned the very worst eventuality – which would be us destroying ourselves. It made me wonder about the news that is being disseminated to diaspora for though we have our challenges, I believe we will always rise. Yet those thoughts about a parallel universe emerged; not a worse Guyana, but a better version. But this is not a time for delusion or dreaming of that which does not exist; we, us, not they or them, must do the work together to make this country a better.
Like the doppelgängers at the end of “Us,” we Guyanese can link our hands, form lines and circles throughout this country, and share one interconnected energy. We can truly embrace that being divided into they and them will not heal or save us, but it is one united people, us, that will.
