Social Saturday

DEAR WHITE PEOPLE

What is the best way to put this in a general tone…

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These over exaggerated people in this photo are priceless

I can not tell you the amount of anticipation there was on seeing this movie after seeing the trailer. I was sold!

I can’t really say that the title is what sold me, but more so being able to read into the story lines, aside from it being just another “Black comedy”.

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Dear White People is a Case in point, Check yourself before you reck yourself, and if you didn’t know, you better ask somebody…..but we’re tired of answering the same asinine questions. So that just leaves you to either pick up a book or watch this movie type of film. It tells the story of several young black students that attend an Ivy league college and subliminally educates both sides in a reflection to what we should know and what we just can’t seem to comprehend. It’s powerful, uplifting and a masterpiece in this time. The cast is passionate, funny, believable and tells a story from each angle; showing the struggles that even within the black community, what we have to face on a daily basis.

Dear White People pinpoints on many very interesting perspectives coming from the cast in the movie and even in real life. It’s an immediate reflection of those who might have made some unintended mistakes or had very narrow minded views where sensitivity didn’t go hand in hand. Now of course, if there were a film titled “Dear Black People”, well there actually is… it’s called everyday American History.

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Photoed here are actors Naomi Ko, Courtney Sauls, and Jemar Michael

This was not planned. When I tell you that I just wanted to see this movie to write on my blog, that was my only intention and then by golly they just started appearing everywhere! I was in the freaking screening by coincidence. Only at Archlight Theaters. I was a few seconds of molly whopping someone when the ticket machine had said Sold Out! oh no no no no no no….I won’t accept that.

Now typically, when I do see groups of black people, my natural instinct is to just disappear, Please direct yourself to my journal Oreo . I knew this would be the movie in the black community and no Django and 12 years of slave is not included. I noticed this one guy that completely stood out amongst the crowd as if he were just crowned the prom king, I looked closely and it was one of the actors from the film. Okay, so here’s the thing and I’m going to go off course a little bit. Some actors naturally have that thing and they stand out like a sore thumb. So Dear White People cast…be prepared.

“The prom king” was Marque Richardson who plays Reggie in the film. When I tell you my body was ten steps ahead of my brain, I raced over to him without even forming any words other than “You’re the actor in the film right?!”. He was nice, welcoming and tried acknowledging everyone that played tug of war with his attention. It didn’t occur to me to grab a photo though.

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Photoed Courtney Sauls, Tessa Thompson, Ashley Baine Featherson, Marque Richardson and Jemar Michael

This film is genius! Nearly almost a comedic relief of what I’ve had to face my entire life. So what is the uproar then? Well I’ll tell you. We as the human race, still have yet to evolve. We Still face the racism, the misinterpretation being misguided or misinformed ect. Many, and I do mean many, pass on their ignorance to their then ignorantly molded children. Once again, I say Human Race and that’s all colors, including the even more transparent group that refuse to identify themselves with a color. It’s like draining blood out of a turnip and well, it’s just not going to happen.

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We fail to see the beauty in one another in all aspects being religion, race, backgrounds and such. When I say beauty I mean it as an expression of knowledge, education, growth. Knowledge is Power and the beauty of power is to overcome all mental obstacles.Though there are those who are afraid to grasp that concept because they’re afraid of change. It’s crazy how a word could ultimately reflect someones fears without there actually being a boogie mans face on that word. The title in itself just goes to show how much we stay in the same place. While we move forward we forget the ones we’re leaving behind. Some resist, some fight and some are left forgotten to continue living in their ignorant world to which they’ve become immune to. Lets look at the posters…Sam would you mind doing the honors?

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Actress Tessa Thompson

Okay, Sam here is going to magnify for many of you that have repeatedly failed to see the point of this movie. And while she does that lets throw all the racist ideas and remarks out the window for a second. Remember this is a form of growth and knowledge which = power; and we all want that.

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So here as you see, I simply highlighted the areas that became over looked once the title read DEAR WHITE PEOPLE I am projecting because when you project people can hear you, yet it’s also in the tone that you project where it can either be taken out of context or misunderstood. Clearly it is saying nothing in correlation of attacking the white race. It is a psychological emphasis. The title as you see, I crossed white out on one end and left it on the other. Do you see the difference? One is eye catching and makes more sense with a black curly haired kid and title from just a black kid with just curly hair. It’s an emphasis. While it might have created some negative reaction due to the title alone it also created well deserved curiosity.

This film got a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes for crying out loud. That’s huge in the movie world. You’re lucky if you get a 30%. That goes to show that intelligently advanced people watched, they observed and they listened to the messages. That’s the problem at hand. People don’t take the time nor the effort to do all three. They just see the title and start constructing fences. Now earlier this week I got involved in a debate. The difference with a debate and argument is that one is more intellectually challenging than the other. Bare yourself… you are now entering the Stupid Zone.

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So everyone knows that with Social Media comes Brain Deflated Syndrom (Not a real diagnosis) And that’s where you feel like you’re becoming more and more stupid by the virtual human contact that zaps your brain cells on a daily basis. This is by stupid postings, stupid opinions and just stupid people.

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Phototed Courtney Sauls, Tyler James Williams, Jemar Michael, Marque Richardson, Naomi Ko, and Ashley Blaine Featherson

Yeah, that’s exactly how I looked while reading some of those comments. Those are people that I refer to as the Ignoramus Society; and with those types of people you just have to pat their heads and say “We’ll try this again later” or you can always try to reach that portion of their brain with a little next and moving on.

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Look, even one guy Robert Guy Ellision congratulated me! Damn right I just educated your ass! It was funny when I found myself sitting in a row of all Caucasians. I was also testing the audiences response to the movie including my row. Who were on nerves of what and what not to laugh at, who felt uncomfortable and who just watched. Of course there was that “Can you hear me laughing?!” black guy or black female who made it a point to direct the truth in some of the comical stereotypes.

Overall, everyone enjoyed the film and I was happy that a group of people took interest in such a well directed and portrayal of the society we live in today.

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After the film, the director himself, Justin Simien and actress Teyohna Parris, went on stage for a Q&A to explain the movie which of course is always a brilliant way to reach out to those who are more apprehensive especially if it’s on a sensitive matter. And what better way to express your film from your words.

Justin~ ” Brought complicated depictions of black people to the screen”
Justin~ “Find a way for the things hidden under the surface to reach the front page”
Justin~ Being a black face in a white place while clinging to groups of people. He needed to comment on the complications of black stories, have a new conversation about the black society.

Teyohna on Cocoas character~ “she’s one of the few who was aware of what shes doing and makes a conscious choice. Is very aware of the categories that will help her. We have a movie thats complex. To be a part of a film that takes that on”

I personally found a great common background to the directors and actor Jemar Michaels story, and how we grew up. So all in all the film will be added in my very own collection. Huge shout out to some of the actors I had the pleasure of meeting and who were so kind to allow me to take a photo with them. Naomi literally searched for other cast while Jemar, who plays Smooth in the film, and I had a regular conversation. This was actually his first major film coming from Minnesota where he was casted. I hope to see these walking talented individuals on more movie screens as I forsee big things happening. Congrats!!!

Now for the remaining loss causes out there, here’s a visual of how black shades come in many variations and how genetics are a part of science you’ll never understand.

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This is my mother. My biological mother whose vagina I came out of. I am of dark complextion while she is fair. Clearly, I took after my father. So there, I just educated you again. Good Day!

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