On the healing power of horror

Thursday, I participated (via Zoom) on a panel on Horror Noire and Black Horror in a rural area in Mississippi, sponsored by Mississippi Cultural Crossroads. The organizer warned me that it might not be well-attended because it was after dark (I assumed because it was so rural) – but about a dozen people gathered to hear the panel. And it was soooo good! 

The audience members skewed middle aged and older, and it was clear that they relied on horror films to help visualize and express historical Black racial trauma. There were times it felt like a support group meeting, and times it felt like a subdued church revival. I felt so privileged to be able to share my own journey to horror and why I believe it’s so important in my life, and how my mother passed her love for horror down to me – and why I believe fantasy monsters are more healing to me than images of human horror.  

I’m working on an essay about the healing power of horror, and I think horror fans (and non-horror fans) should explore their thoughts about how our traumas attract us to horror (or repel us). For me, my love for horror went from the fun rollercoaster ride of my youth to the deeper solace in the wake of life’s true-life horrors. 

Whether or not you celebrate *smile* wishing everyone a wonderful Halloween!