The most controversial show on TV—if the last week or so is any indication—has not yet aired. I’m talking about HBO’s new show Confederate. The question a lot of us are wondering is whether anything good can come from this show.
For example, it might be worthwhile if the show made commentary about race in 21st century America. As in, the show might tell us that race relations aren’t much different in a country that seceded to protect slavery than they are in 2016 America. But if the goal is to bring attention to racial disparities today, it’s unclear why the confederacy is the best vehicle. Surely there are dramas that could be set in the present day that would explore issues the black community faces in the 21st century. These would provide more relevant commentary. And if the goal is to better appreciate the outsized role slavery has played in our history, a show centered on the confederacy is an odd choice. An honest look at life on a plantation, or the struggles of a black family to build a good life in a free state amid threats from bounty hunters and pernicious racism could do the trick.
Perhaps the best argument for Confederate is that it explores fascinating historical questions. What would it be like if the confederacy had won? Would it have allied with the United States in future wars? Would it have eventually abolished slavery? What effect would losing the South have had on Northern politics? I can see these questions greatly interesting a certain type of person. And by that, I mean someone who enjoys exploring counter-factual historical questions, not necessarily lost cause types.
Problem is, I doubt a tv show is the best way to answer these questions. The best way in my view to really take a stab at answering these questions is in a rigorously researched book. Drawing upon mounds of primary sources, a historian could predict how the confederacy would unfold. Could a tv show do this? Sure. But I doubt it would given time constraints and the temptation to privilege dramatic effect over analytic rigor.
At present, it’s hard to see Confederate giving us meaningful insights. But perhaps it’ll prove us wrong