Social justice warriors appear to be giving Amazon’s new alternate-history series a thumbs up following the backlash they hurled at HBO for its own planned slavery drama.

Amazon is working on the new drama series, “Black America,” which is set in post-slavery reparations America, Variety reported, and the critics this time are applauding.

#OscarsSoWhite‘s April Reign says Amazon’s ‘Black America’ represents alt-history better than @HBO‘s ‘Confederate’ https://t.co/mePJJHol81

— Variety (@Variety) August 2, 2017

The series, from Will Packer and Aaron McGruder, will focus on freed slaves who are given the states of Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana as reparations and how they create their own country, New Colonia.

Ah, spurred by “Confederate,” another project revealed: “Black America”https://t.co/UvYqUJ8PjM pic.twitter.com/rzFInXYYVi

— Sopan Deb (@SopanDeb) August 1, 2017

Amazon’s announcement follows the news that “Game of Thrones” creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss were developing a modern-day Southern slavery series for HBO called “Confederate.” While the HBO series will also be set in an alternate timeline, it has southern states successfully seceding from the Union and creating a nation where slavery is legal.

Backlash for “Confederate” was spurred on with a #NoConfederate hashtag launched by activist April Reign, who was behind the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag. In a statement, HBO said it had “great respect for the dialogue and concern being expressed” about the planned series but hoped “people will reserve judgment until there is something to see.”

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Critics blasted “Confederate” as another example of white privilege and proof that racists still wish slavery existed.

But “Black America” is not creating the same reaction, as Amazon decided to reveal it had been working on the project in response to the HBO controversy.

“I think it’s a much better representation of alt-history than what was proposed by Benioff and Weiss,” Reign told Variety.

“I support this project as it will show black and brown people thriving in this country, something that isn’t shown enough on screen,” she added.  “I’m also confident that, based on Mr. Packer’s previous track record, the crew behind the camera will be much more inclusive than we’ve seen from ‘Game of Thrones.’”

The social justice warriors were in agreement and lauded the Amazon series.

Where do you sign up ??

— Noize. (@ntgmusicgroup) August 1, 2017

Me signing up for Amazon Prime after seeing this Aaron McGruder announcement for his new post-reparations #BlackAmerica television series. pic.twitter.com/O44PiaZSBY

— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) August 1, 2017

Me: I wish somebody would come up with a better idea than HBO’s Confederate

Packer and McGruder with Black America: pic.twitter.com/8qbVuD5hIl

— VTK (@wondermann5) August 1, 2017

Is it me, or did @Amazon just troll @HBO ?
???

— ultramagnetic (@ultramagnetic) August 1, 2017

But others were quick to see the obvious hypocrisy as well as the sad reality of a time when shows like these are even being developed.

Black America and Confederate are essentially the same thing, so if you’re complaining about Confederate, don’t applaud Black America.

— Derenic Byrd (@DerenicByrd) August 2, 2017

Watch as this series gets lauded as groundbreaking and visionary, while Confederacy got HBO hacked. It’s merely an alt-history story!

— Albino Jiginosis (@albinojiginosis) August 1, 2017

So it’s okay a Alt – History Drama in favor of black people but when they propose an Alt – History for white pple it’s a problem?

— Chad L.A. Roberts (@ChadLARoberts) August 1, 2017

so basically a bigger detroit?

— ezra poundtown (@ezrapoundtown69) August 2, 2017

Dude, didn’t you know? There’s no place for logic in the entertainment biz these days

— Nu (@TheNuPro) August 1, 2017

I already said this, but people that are offended by a fictional work (no matter what it’s about) need to have their heads examined. FICTION

— McLovin (@NickNoble26) August 1, 2017

i can’t believe that in the late 2010s there will be a ratings battle between Black America and Confederate both as concepts and titles

— alexis nedd (@alexisthenedd) August 1, 2017

Maybe just turn off the tv, and we all just go outside and talk to each other. #NoConfederate vs.#BlackAmerica

— Lucy_too (@lucy_two) August 2, 2017

I honestly don’t understand the controversy about this show. If I don’t like it i won’t watch it. Amazon has show where Hitler won ww2.

— MakeTheBadManStop (@MarieBtflsmil) August 1, 2017

I plan on watching both. I encourage others to also. Or ignore. But in 2017 #Censorship is not needed, not in the USA. Just flip the channel

— delano_goodin (@delano_goodin) August 1, 2017

‘Sick sick sick’ racist Procter & Gamble ad crosses every line! If you are white, brace yourself before watching

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Frieda Powers

Senior Staff Writer
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.

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