Boycott: The Exploitation of Freedmen Identity in the Josephine Baker Biopic

The Freedmen Nation is officially boycotting the upcoming Josephine Baker biopic following the announcement that FKA Twigs—a non-Freedmen—is cast to portray one of our most historic Freedmen figures.

Josephine Baker was not just an entertainer. She was a Freedmen woman whose roots trace back to the unique lived status of those born from American chattel slavery. Her story is part of the long lineage of struggle, resistance, and legacy tied exclusively to Freedmen status—one that cannot be authentically understood or embodied by individuals who do not share in that specific heritage.

Too many times, we’ve seen our stories used as creative currency, our legacy appropriated, and our heroes portrayed by those outside the status that defines who we are. This is not a matter of race or talent. It is a matter of authenticity, lineage, and rightful representation.

Freedmen Nation exists to protect the legacy of our people—those whose roots come from being legislatively emancipated in the United States and whose lives are shaped by the policies, laws, and trauma directly tied to that history. Outsiders cannot accurately convey the burdens and triumphs that come with that status.

We are not asking for favors. We are demanding respect.

The casting of a non-Freedmen to play a foundational Freedmen icon is yet another example of how the entertainment industry continues to ignore our status, co-opt our narratives, and undermine the authenticity of our lived experiences.

We call on all Verified Freedmen and supporters of our rightful identity to boycott this film and hold accountable those who participate in the continued misuse of our story. This is about preservation. This is about protection. This is about principle.