Sinners

*Disclaimer: This post contains spoilers.

When I first heard about The Sinners film, I had mixed feelings. On one hand, I wanted to see the film because I'm a big fan of Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan films (plus Michael is FINE! lol). On the other hand, I was questioning whether I should watch it as a Christian, especially with a title called "Sinners". I saw a lot of discourse about the film online, some Christians watched it and loved it and others said it was demonic and were against it. We even had a discussion in church about it and people's opinions were split. Ultimately, whether to watch the film or not is down to one's own personal conviction. I ended up watching Sinners with my family and we enjoyed it. Is it a pro-Christian film? Nope, but there are elements of the film I believe are in alignment with Biblical principles which I am going to explore.

In the film, the vampires could only enter the jukejoint if they were invited inside. I see this as a powerful analogy: the devil can only gain access to our lives if we open the door to him. We don't have to explicitly invite him in but our actions, choices, and sinful behaviour can serve as an open door. When we sin, we create spiritual entry points that give the enemy room to operate in our lives. This is why repentance is important, to close these doors and reaffirm our alignment with God.

Another significant element is the character of Remmick, the head vampire, who I believe represents Satan. His goal was to turn everyone into vampires to build a community that reflects his values and submits to his control. In the same way, Satan seeks to lead people away from God and into his own kingdom. Remmick tempts others with the promise of a better life as a vampire—offering freedom, immortality, and community. This mirrors how the devil entices us with the temporary pleasures of the world. This reminds me of Matthew 4:8-9 when Satan tried to tempt Jesus: "the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me". Stack is an example of someone who gave in to temptation and ended up becoming a vampire. The main lesson I took from this is to resist temptation otherwise, in the end it will only lead to your downfall.

Another powerful scene is when Sammy recites the Lord's prayer—and Remmick recites it alongside him. I found this to be a key moment in the film. It serves as a reminder that the devil knows Scripture too. During Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, Satan quoted Scripture in an attempt to deceive Him (see Matthew 4:6). This moment highlights a vital truth: being a Christian isn’t just about knowing Bible verses. Head knowledge alone doesn’t equate to true faith. There are people who aren’t followers of Christ who can quote Scripture front to back—but that doesn’t make them Christians. True Christianity goes beyond information; it’s about transformation. It means having a personal relationship with God through Jesus and allowing the Holy Spirit to dwell within us, purifying our hearts, renewing our minds, and guiding our lives. Though Sammy was a Preacher's son, his actions show that he didn't have the Holy Spirit in him as his god was his guitar, which he chose over his faith.

Music is a major element in the film. I’ve often spoken out about the music industry and the kinds of messages it promotes. In the movie, Sammy uses music to summon spirits from both the past and the future—including Remmick himself. We know that Satan was an Angel of music before his fall from heaven. That’s why I believe music is spiritually powerful—it can influence atmospheres and even open doors to the unseen realm. There are stories of artists who engage in rituals, smoke, or drink before creating music, sometimes claiming it enhances their “creativity.” One of the members of the Backstreet Boys did an interview and said that there are witches at record labels who demonically pray over albums before their release. Music isn’t just entertainment—it carries frequency, emotion, and intention. It can be used to uplift, worship, and heal, but it can also be used to manipulate, deceive, and invite spiritual influence. That’s why it’s crucial to guard your ear gates and be mindful of what you’re allowing into your spirit through sound. As believers, we should exercise our discernment when choosing the music we listen to.

The film also incorporates elements of Hoodoo, a traditional African American spiritual practice deeply rooted in African ancestral wisdom and nature-based rituals. In the film, Annie uses it to protect her husband, Smoke. She does not use it for evil. Her character is portrayed as wise and discerning, and her spiritual knowledge proves instrumental in the fight against the vampires. This can be interpreted as being pro-Hoodoo. As someone who has previously researched different African spiritual systems, I wasn't offended by this. Watching films or shows about vampires and the supernatural doesn't phase me, as I grew up watching Harry Potter, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Nollywood films that have voodoo in them (as Christians, still use your discernment). There are many spiritual belief systems/religions on this earth that millions of people believe in. As a Christian, I believe that none of them can touch Christianity. In the Bible, there are many instances of people worshipping different gods yet time and again, God shows himself to be more powerful than all of them.

Overall, I think Sinners is a great film and presents a layered narrative that intertwines spirituality, culture, and the unseen battle between good and evil. While it contains controversial elements, it also provides an opportunity to reflect on how faith, identity, and discernment play out in the real world. It raises important questions about how we engage with the world as Christians. Ultimately, it reminds us to stay spiritually aware, guard our hearts and minds, and seek God’s truth above all.

The Revolution will be Televised!

I never thought that in my lifetime I would witness an African leader capable of uniting not only Africans on the continent but those in the diaspora. I never thought I would witness an African leader who could defy the West and survive numerous assassination attempts. The Pan-African in me is screaming with joy!! This is all due to Captain Ibrahim Traore, the young President of Burkina Faso, who is changing the narrative.

As history shows, any African leader who defied the West and prioritised developing their own country and uplifting their people often paid with their lives. An example of this is Patrice Lumumba of Congo. Another example is Thomas Sankara of Burkina Faso, who achieved a remarkable amount despite his limited time in office. He increased the literacy rate from 13% to 73%,  promoted self-reliance and rejected foreign aid, and focused on building schools, health centres, water reservoirs, infrastructure projects, and many other accomplishments. Like the West typically does (in this case, France), they used a black person close to Sankara to assassinate him, his own childhood best friend, Blaise Compaoré.

Many people see Ibrahim Traore as Thomas Sankara reincarnated. During his short time as president, Traore kicked out the French, paid off Burkina Faso's debts, increased the GDP from $18.8 billion to $22.1 billion, made education free, invested in agriculture, and is currently constructing roads and factories, building a new airport, plus more. Like Sankara, he is pushing for self-sufficiency. Many of us have never seen a leader like Traore; the support for him is worldwide. On 30 April 2025, there were worldwide protests—from London to New York, Jamaica, and across Africa—as people came out to show their solidarity with Traore after American General Langley accused Traore of using his country's gold for his protection. We also know from history that this is another tactic of the West, creating false narratives of leaders. In this age of social media, I don't think this will work.

Even if Ibrahim did use his country's gold for protection, it is justified. His actions have made him a target, and there have been 19 assassination attempts on his life. One of his close bodyguards was paid $5 million to kill him, but the bodyguard took the money and then informed Traore (talk about integrity!). I believe France is scared. Traore's actions could set a precedent for other African nations to follow. Their grip on Africa is weakening, Niger and Mali already kicked them out. France has been receiving $500 billion annually in colonial taxes from Francophone African countries, and the way things are going, this is not going to last. Former President of France, Jacques Chirac, even said that France would become a third-world country without Africa.

What I believe has helped is Burkina Faso's alliance with Russia. I have seen some discourse online about people who are sceptical about this relationship, due to the history of foreigners exploiting Africa, which is understandable. To be honest, Russia does not have a history of exploiting Africa, and every country needs allies. Look at BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa & others). Russia's intelligence was able to help foil multiple assassination attempts against Traore, so I'm not against it. 

I believe there is a shift in consciousness in Africa; the people have had enough. How much suffering and exploitation can a continent continue to endure? There are only so many times you can poke the bear before it reacts. The average age of an African is 19 years old, the population is rapidly increasing, most Africans have access to the internet and can see what is happening in the world. Traore is a beacon of hope across the continent and the world. All of these factors are great conditions for radical change. I believe we are currently and finally starting to witness the rise of Africa.

Race & Riots 2024

In 2011, I wrote about the nationwide riots in the UK sparked by the death of Mark Duggan at the hands of the police. Over a decade later, this country finds itself in the grip of another wave of violence and unrest. On 29 July 2024, eleven children and two adults were stabbed at a dance class in Southport. Unfortunately, three of the children have died. This tragedy has shaken the country to its core due to the magnitude of this horrific crime. The suspect in this case is Axel Rudakubana who was 17 years old at the time.

Initially, the media withheld the identity of Axel due to his age. In the absence of verified information, false reports and rumours spread rapidly, particularly among far-right circles. These groups falsely claimed that the perpetrator was an illegal Muslim immigrant who had entered the country by boat. However, the truth is that Axel is a British citizen, born in Wales, and is a Christian—not a Muslim.  Despite these facts, the misinformation ignited a wave of riots, starting in Southport, where a mosque was attacked. The unrest quickly spread to numerous cities across the UK, particularly in the north. There have been Arson attacks, shops have been looted, immigrant-owned businesses and property have been destroyed, hotels housing migrants have been targeted and there have been numerous attacks on brown and black people as well as Police Officers. Those who hold far-right beliefs must understand that the actions of a few individuals from a particular race do not define the entire race.  It is unfair that innocent ethnic minorities have to fear for their safety due to the colour of their skin. The violence of the rioters is not justified and I'm glad that the Law is coming down hard on them.

I've come across multiple videos of rioters being questioned about their motives. Many express anti-immigrant sentiments, with statements such as, "Immigrants are taking over our country," "We want our country back", "Immigrants are taking all of our jobs", "They are committing all the crimes and aren't helping our country". These views are rooted in ignorance. According to the 2021 census, the UK is 81.7% white, with 74.4% being white British—clearly still the majority. Historically, during World War II, around 2.5 million Indian troops supported British soldiers. After the war, facing a labour shortage, the UK invited immigrants from India and the Caribbean to help rebuild the country. Immigrants have made major contributions to British society. Let's not forget that the British Empire colonised/invaded roughly 90% of the world's nations and the exploitation of these nations helped to build the British economy. The UK's current demographic makeup is a direct result of this history.

Another perspective to consider is why these rioters harbour such strong anti-immigrant sentiments. The north of England, in particular, has higher rates of poverty, fewer job opportunities, and higher levels of crime compared to the south. There is a significant North-South divide in the country. Many of these people feel marginalised and forgotten by society, and their frustrations are exacerbated by the false information spread about immigrants by figures such as Tommy Robinson.  I believe this ideology is why the Reform Party had 4 million votes in the last general election. Immigrants have become scapegoats for the broader issues facing the UK, including economic hardship and social inequality. Much of this anger is misplaced, fueled by racism and a lack of understanding that ethnic minorities/immigrants often have to work harder and face barriers that white British people do not.

What does give me hope for the UK is the widespread counter-protests that have taken place across the country which outnumbered the far-right protests. People of all races—Black, White, and Asian have come together to stand against racism. This is the UK I'm proud of. As a Black woman who grew up surrounded by people from all ethnic backgrounds, I have always valued the diversity that makes the UK unique, especially in London. Not everyone in the world has the privilege of experiencing such rich cultural variety. I can have a chat with my Scottish neighbour, order Indian food, and learn Arabic from the Moroccan handyman working on my house. We live in a globalised world, and this diversity is something to be celebrated. I understand that racism will always exist in society, but there are countless individuals committed to building a more inclusive society where people from all walks of life come together to stand up for what is right. 

Is Social Media real or not?

Social media is great for connecting with people you know and making new connections with those who you would never cross paths with in real life. It is great for entertainment and getting information across to people. However social media today is very different to how it was when I was younger. I remember when I first joined instagram, about a decade ago. Back then, the main pictures people would upload onto the app were usually restaurant meals, pictures of nature, holiday pictures and basic selfies. The picture quality wasn't great. Fast forward to today things have drastically changed. 

Nowadays social media is more about lifestyle, image and looking rich. When I was young I used to watch a show called MTV cribs. On this show celebrities used to show off their mansions and the luxury items they own. Celebrities (and the rich) drove the expensive cars, had the latest electronics, had all the designer clothes, flew on private jets and lived this expensive lifestyle. This  lifestyle seemed far fetched for the average  everyday person. Nowadays it appears as if this “rich lifestyle” is normal for the average person. On Instagram you see average everyday people dripped down in designer wear, taking pictures with expensive cars, flying first class, in exotic holiday locations. It’s in our faces all the time. Now people expect this to be the norm. The sad thing is that people believe they are failing in life if they are not able to achieve this lifestyle, especially the younger generation. 

Social media has distorted reality for many people. They believe that living lavishly and being able to afford that lifestyle in your 20s is the norm, however that is not reality. In the UK the top 1% earn £160k per year. The average age of a millionaire is is around 57 years old and I'm sure the majority of them were broke in their 20s (minus the ones born into wealth). Most people are living average lives. Growing up, young people who did have cars drove bangers, and the most expensive brand people would wear was probably Nike. Now I see young men have very expensive cars as their first car and schoolkids wearing designer items. Young people don't realise that it is not the norm for the average 20 something year old to financially be on the level of wealth as a successful middle aged person. Yes there are millionaires in their 20s but it is a minority of people. Due to inflation and the cost of living crisis there are many people struggling financially. People need to discern what they see online to what actually happens offline. Plus there are many people out there who do not use social media. What we see on social media is not representative of what happens in society.

I've seen a number of cases on the news where people who portray themselves as rich online get arrested for doing scams, fraud or drugs. There are people willing to do anything and risk their freedom for "image". Mental health is on the rise, especially in younger people due to social media. It causes people to think that they are not good enough and haven't achieved much. When I was in my 20s I was pretty much broke, drove a banger and earned low income like many other poeple in that age range. Your 20s is your first time experiencing adulthood, you are still figuring life out, this is the time to learn and make mistakes, experience life and try different things. It's an exploratory time.

I think it boils down to self-esteem and validation. If you know your own identity and your worth and value, you wouldn't need external factors to validate you. If you have low self esteem and don't see yourself as worthy you will latch onto external things to find worth and value.

Social media platforms are now monetised and there is a whole "influencer culture". When I was growing up, influencer culture did not exist. I am am not against the influencer culture as some people have been able to make careers off of it, however I do question the type of content that is promoted by them. Some influencers do have a positive influence, while others don't. There are examples of the latter promoting scams, bad products and false lifestyles. You also get the 'baddie' influencers which are young women that have a particular aesthetic and build their careers on how they look. They tend to wear  excessive makeup, have lip fillers, BBL's, and wear fast fashion brands such as Fashion Nova and post heavily edited pictures. Some even try to make themselves look racially ambiguous.

The issue I have with this standard of beauty they present, is the influence it has on younger girls. I see teenagers who try and fit into this beauty standard with the make-up, and hairstyles, and even lip fillers. Due to this many young women suffer from low self-esteem. They compare themselves to something that doesn't even exist in reality.  Personally, I did not wear make  up until I was 20. Also, there is a lot of financial pressure on young men which is unfair. I do not expect a man in his 20's to afford luxury cars, tons of designer items or to be able to provide a rich lifestyle for his partner. It is not realistic. The loud minority have made it seem that this unrealistic lifestyle is the norm. NEWSFLASH it is not.  The majority of people are average, they earn average incomes, live in average homes and have average lives. Do not be hard on yourself because you have a normal life. There is nothing wrong with it. Live your life at your own pace, do what makes you happy. If social media makes you depressed, delete the apps and live in the real world. Your value is not determined by someone's opinion on social media, you are born with inherit value. Aim to be your best authentic self. God doesn't make mistakes, so you are not one.