The Woman Writer – Pillaged for Talent, Raped for Content
Sophia Stewart, Mother of The Matrix
I watched “V for Vendetta†last night, and was moved, but also wary. The art is excellent, but the people behind the art are flawed, deeply flawed. The Wachowski Brothers seem to be very derivative in their works. Some have accused them of outright plagiarism, including Grant Morrison, creator of The Invisibles comic book series, and Sophia Stewart, Mother of The Matrix.
Researching the possibility that the Hollywood duo would make their career on stolen works, I came across strong evidence that yes, indeed, the Wachowski made a pretty penny off of Ms. Stewart’s work. No credit, no mention of her The Third Eye script, from which not only The Matrix, but also The Terminator originated from. Details, tag lines, key sound bytes, storylines, plots, symbology, philosophy – she can relate it all, very easily, back to her script. She has an in-depth knowledge of the woven truths and historical references (to gods, scripture, magic and folklore) in the films. I read on and on and feel very deeply Sophia Stewart did give birth to this tale.
The question always lingered around why the Wachowskis wouldn’t give interviews. It’s very clear to me now – they did not have the basic knowledge of the deeper truths and therefore could not speak on them, with any conviction, to the press. The fear of being exposed was bigger than the need to be famous. They could not be confronted with the truth and continue to lie believably. Those around them who aid their case, and support their lies, are complicit in perpetrating a crime – copyright infringement to say the least, with a possible RICO case in the works.
Some of these minds are not ready to be unplugged and are so dependant on the Matrix that they would fight to protect it.
Morpheus – The Matrix
And what of Warner Brothers, the mega corporation that backed the Wachowskis and made millions off the franchise? The FBI investigation into the situation found that indeed Warner Brothers was involved in hiding the plagiarism, and employees of WB came forward in support of Ms. Stewart.
Often, throughout my research, Ms. Stewart was attacked by supporters and fans of The Matrix on her gender and race. A black woman couldn’t write such prophetic fiction, with a depth and scope that belies the ingrained image of who writes science fiction. I am reminded of one of my most favorite writers – Octavia E. Butler – whose work goes beyond gender and race, to speak on universal themes.
A question that comes up in my mind, and in the mind of many of Ms. Butler’s fans, is simply this – why hasn’t any of her award winning, ground breaking work been recreated in either film or television format?
Octavia E. Butler, Science Fiction Writer
In fact, is science fiction not the perfect medium for women and people of color to explore the dream Dr. Martin Luther King spoke of so eloquently? Isn’t the future the perfect place to explore the ideas of breaking free from racism, fascism, lies and oppression? Would not the future provide fertile ground for women to explore a world where they can excel, live and love without issue or cost? The future, in fantasy and science fiction, is the place we long for – utopian, fair, free, shared abundance and environmental sustainability.
And yet Hollywood and major media falls back on the past, the patriarchy that allows some (white males) privilege, while keeping others, (women, people of color, the aged and the handicapped) barred at the gates. Is “V for Vendetta” a mea culpa, an attempt to make something positive happen out of a miserable career that is based on the work of an uncredited and incredibly talented woman?
I don’t know, but I do know I need to vote with my dollars and my words. Neither of them will be spent on the Wachowskis. I call for a boycott of any Wachowski project until they can settle with Ms. Stewart on a fair and fully credited resolution. What they have done is wrong, and, simply put, requires correction.
Bravo to Ms. Stewart, on her efforts to seek justice. Despite the case being delayed by machinations, be confident your continued efforts will bear fruit. Ms. Stewart plans to use a part of her settlement to open arts centers for poor children, amongst other things.
That is peace in action.
One Love – Peace and Change,
Melissa
