Parallel Exile in Pariah Anonymous College

In Aneeka Henderson’s chapter of the book African American Culture and Society After Rodney King : Provocations and Protests, Progression and ‘Post-Racialism' (Carina and Metcalf), she discusses Dee Rees’ 2011 film, Pariah, in relation to the concept of “sexual exile.” The chapter title, The Rebirth of Queer: Exile, Kinship, and Metamorphosis in Dee Rees’s Pariah, alludes to this concept of sexual exile, which is defined by Henderson as a “[constant denial of] the opportunity to experience intimacy and claim [one’s] sexual identity” (Henderson 141). Sexual exile, as it is explored in Henderson’s writing, is presented as a real world concept, with actual implications and repercussions for real life people. However, it is also presented as a thematic throughline of the film, Pariah. Henderson’s exploration and application of sexual exile as a theme in the movie is particularly significant for the manner in which it presents the concept as a major parallel between two of the film’s main characters.

Dee Rees’ 2011 film Pariah opens with a quote from activist, Audre Lorde: “Wherever the bird with no feet flew, she found trees with no limbs.” The quote which, in its simplest interpretation seems to concern matters of belonging,...