Reflections on The Color Purple Remix Movie By Vernicia T. Green, Contributor

I remember in anticipation of watching the remake of The Color Purple, I excitedly asked some friends of mine, “Are you going to see The Color Purple?” Some responded, “Yes! enthusiastically”, but there were a few people who paused and said, “I hadn’t thought about it” or “Probably not.” I have even met some people who have never seen the movie before.

I have to admit, I was surprised. I mean, come on! Who wouldn’t want to go see this popular movie? After all, Billionaire, Author, and World-Renowned Oprah Winfrey is one of the Executive Producers. She starred in the original film as Sophia, and it earned more than $94 million in its initial run in 1985, for crying out loud. 

So real quick, let’s pause right here and take a step down memory lane to reflect on the celebrity appearances and the well-quoted phrases like:

“’All my life I had to fight. I had to fight my daddy. I had to fight my uncles. I had to fight my brothers. A girl child ain’t safe in a family of men, but I ain’t never thought I’d have to fight in my own house!’

‘You told Harpo to beat me? I loves Harpo, God knows I do. But I’ll kill him dead ‘fo I let him beat me.’

‘Till you do right by me, everything you even think about gonna’ fail.’

‘Celie, you got the ugliest smile this side of Creation.’

‘I’s married now! I’s married now!’

‘Everything you done to me, is already done to you.’”

Now we can move on.

This is the point I’m making here. Although these quotes bring a bit of humor for movie fans, they also bring up painful memories for people who have been through various childhood, domestic, or relationship traumas. I remember one of the people I asked if she was going to see it mentioned that if she did decide to go, she would have to be in the right mindset to do so. This caused me to dig in deeper and I get it now. The flood of emotions that can come during and after going to this movie can be overwhelming and downright atrocious. It’s too much for some people and that’s ok.

If you are reading this and you have endured trauma, I want to say to you that I’m so sorry. I am sorry for what you have been through. You, my friend, are brave for choosing life every day. You are cared for, and you are not alone. There are thousands of people who have endured what this movie depicted, and my heart goes out to each of you.

It is not easy enduring spousal abuse, public humiliation and disrespect, incarceration, unhealthy parenting, infidelity, homosexual attraction, premature dating, insecurity, low self-esteem, promiscuity, lack of self-worth, isolation, children exposed to abuse, and so much more. I want you to know that there is help for you. Caring professionals can help you process what you’ve been through and connect you with other resources that can get you to a healthy place mentally, emotionally, and physically. If you have experienced any type of abuse, whether you are a woman or a man and you need counseling, the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), text the Crisis Line at 741741, or feel free to reach out to me at vernicia@step-consultinggroup.com or 475-522-1024 for assistance in developing a plan for navigating your healing journey.