“Dear White People” – The Movie

(Poster from IMDB)

“Dear White People” is a new film that can be described as a comedy-satire, race-related drama with an ensemble cast. It caught my attention as the perfect movie to open up the topic of race. As mentioned in my introductory blog, I want to highlight topics and issues that affect me and people in everyday life. Racial issues are one of the issues that affects me deeply and I know it can get uncomfortable to talk openly about this but I'll see how best I can manage.  At some point during the next few weeks I'd like to tackle the issue of race in Trinidad and Tobago and also interracial relationships.

The movie follows the stories of black students in colleges across America who are weary of racial issues that plague them since the colleges they attend are predominantly white. It uses four students to breakdown the categories in which black students find themselves and what they must face.

The writer/director of the movie – Justin Simien – explained that he began writing the script as a result of the experiences he had while attending an Ivy League college. “It’s about being a black face in a white space,” he said when asked what the movie was all about.

I encourage anyone (regardless of your race or ethnicity) who loves witty, comedic dramas with insightful angles to go see the movie. It comes out on the 17^th of October 2014 in theatres across America but you can watch the trailer here and tell me what you think in the comments below. I thought it was a brave film that manhandled racial topics people are usually hesitant to discuss. For example some of the opening lines in the trailer read like this:

“Dear white people a minimum number of black friends needed to not seem racist has just been raised to two. Sorry but your weed man …‘Tyrone’ does not count. Dear White people please stop touching my hair. Does this look like a petting zoo to you? This just in, dating a black person to piss off your parents is a form of racism…”

 I am both astonished and overjoyed that it was made. To see it take its journey as a little unknown film that traversed film festivals thereby rising to fame within those circles and then breaking through to attain its place within the accessible and popular movie theatres of America is testament to the substance of its content and its smart delivery.

Things That Annoy

I must now take the time to make mention of the response the film received from certain audiences. Let me first say that I am an advocate for freedom of speech and the right to one’s own opinion. While receiving fame and wide acclaim from movie critics and movie lovers alike, certain audiences have voiced in a most distasteful uproar that the movie was one that was very racist against white people. It kills me to think that anyone would think like this. These audiences have made such remarks based on the viewing of the trailer and have vowed that they would never watch the movie. It is an understatement to say that they have totally missed the point.

In my observation (I have seen almost every interview and promo conducted on this movie) the film explored the real life experiences of black college students. Depicted here are the daily struggles and interactions with whites from their (the students) perspective. If anything at all it is meant to be an eye opener for people who unknowingly offend black people. It was painful to read some of the ridiculous comments on certain websites (cough... cough...Youtube... cough) and made me realize that there is sill a lot to be addressed where racial equality is concerned, not just in America but around the world. Your views are important to me so please be honest yet kind in your comments. This can be a learning ground for all involved.

("Dear White People" - The Movie. This picture was a snapshot from the trailer taken from Youtube)