Netflix's "Descendant" Review

Descendant Reveals Hidden Legacies and Generations of Truth

A 2022 historical documentary narrates the story behind Africatown in Alabama and the descendants of the last known enslaved Africans brought to America on the Clotilda in 1860.

Morgan Hanna

Descendant, directed by Margaret Brown (Be Here to Love Me, The Order of Myths, The Yogurt Shop Murders) won several awards like the Capri Documentary Award or the Austin Film Award.

The powerful and emotional documentary goes back to 1860, when the owner of the last known slave ship, Timothy Meaher, and his crew set sail for Africa with the intention of bringing back several slaves on the Clotilda. During this time, the slave trade had already been abolished. Margaret Brown focuses on the Africatown community, which was founded in Alabama by the descendants of the Clotilda survivors, and what they discovered about this illegal slave trade.

Interviews were conducted with Africatown residents who shared personal stories about their ancestors and the struggles their community faces in the present day. Other historians and researchers also provided important background information about the ship and its discovery

The Film's Focus

 One of the significant moments was when the researchers finally confirmed the discovery of the Clotilda in 2019. Africatown residents had passed down stories about the slave ship, but many outsiders dismissed them as myths. Finding the slave ship brought relief, proved that their history was real, and gave the community evidence of their ancestors' journey.

The Impact on Descendants

The film focuses on the people of Africatown and the descendants of the ship's survivors, especially two residents, Joycelyn Davis and Veda Tunstall, who share how their families persevered in preserving their history through communication. They also discuss the challenges their community faces, including environmental pollution, and how their community struggles economically.

Michael Foster is a descendant of Captain William Foster. There's a part in the documentary where he meets members of Africatown, and there are mixed emotions because some members appreciate his presence, while others struggle with the legacy of slavery. He says, 'I don't know what to say, but I know I need to be here and listen,' during the town meeting.

Both Joycelyn Davis and Dr. Sylviane Diouf highlighted the historical importance of modern-day activism needed to preserve Africatown’s legacy. Dr. Diouf shared how the Clotilda came from present-day Benin and how those aboard were forcibly taken to the U.S., emphasizing the deep connection between African Americans and their African heritage, which shows how these individuals kept their cultural traditions alive in Africatown. Davis discussed how Africatown is disproportionately affected by industrial pollution from nearby factories. She has spoken publicly about how these environmental issues contribute to health problems in the community, drawing attention to the roots of racial and environmental justice.

 Final Thoughts and Overview

After watching the documentary about the ship Clotilda, I realized how important historical events have shaped my community, from systemic racism to environmental justice. The film highlights the importance of preserving history, much like how many students learn about their heritage by researching family stories and coursework. For example, even if I didn’t know certain details about my ancestry, this film emphasizes that Black history isn’t just about individual families but is a collective experience of strength and progress. Oral history played a key role in the Africatown community. I’ve seen Black history being preserved through storytelling and written records, as enslaved people were often denied the right to read and write, so they relied on oral traditions to pass down knowledge. Descendant relates to COMM 300 because the Clotilda was one of the last recorded slave ships to transport Africans to America. This is a direct example of forced migration that contributed to the Black Diaspora. The documentary shows the continuity of African identity even after forced removal from the continent.