Three part mini-series documenting the rise of black actors in Hollywood. I remember predicting this moment we have now, four years ago in the back of a restaurant. I was talking to my friend Simi amidst all the black lives being taken, hunted by the police, bullied by America, a country built on our backs. She was filled to the brim with despair. A witch, I often see the ways of the world through different lenses, the bigger picture. A history buff I find the overarching theme in the fabric of humanity. I said specifically to her, not to worry, the Black Renaissance is coming, things will turn around.
Shortly after we got to create brilliant movies and shows, that weren’t UPN relegated, in terms of these kitchy, safe black portrayals. Things that make people comfortable, things that make people laugh, but no real refinement. We weren’t allowed to be expansive in our artistry. BOOM! Atlanta with Donald Glover hit, BOOM Insecure with Issa Rae, BOOM Get Out by Jordan Peele held a mirror to white America…It just snowballed. To understand why this is important you have to go back to the Hattie McDaniel’s, Harry Belafonte, Sydney Portier…This is a must watch on Netflix, no matter what ethnic background you identify as. We are all human, it’s imperative that we understand each other’s point of views and show compassion. Race is a social illusion we created to provide barriers, that we must deconstruct.