This is going to be uncomfortable, considering this article is coming from the perspective of a white person, but it irks me how Netflix’s series “Dear White People” is not getting the same notoriety as shows such as “Stranger Things”, “Orange Is The New Black”, and even “BoJack Horseman”. An animated show gets more media coverage than a truly progressive show.
A bit of history, shall we? “Dear White People” originally debuted as a movie in 2014, written and directed by Justin Simien. The movie followed four college students at a fictional Ivy League school named Winchester University. The name derived from the podcast that character Samantha White hosted, named, respectively, “Dear White People”. In 2017, Netflix released a new series based on the movie, following the same characters, while adding more to develop storylines.
The first season left on a cliffhanger, and season two picked right up where it left off, all without skipping a beat. With only ten episodes per season at 30 minutes each, it is easily one of the best and easiest shows on Netflix to binge. Each episode focuses on one character and their experiences. With that in mind, these experiences are not light in the slightest. The show explores sexuality, identity, intimacy, police brutality, and racism. The show opens with the sole topic of racism.
It’s no surprise why this show does not get as much coverage as many other shows on the streaming platform. Last time a predominantly African-American casted show was on the platform, “The Get Down” was promptly canceled after one season. The show itself was widely loved and streamed, yet it was canceled, and without reason. With “Dear White People”, it doesn’t seem to have that large of an audience. It’s a shame because of how informative the show is. As a white person, I have found the show to be not only entertaining but making me aware of how much young African-Americans truly experience. I’m not saying that I never knew, but having the platform to discuss such real topics in a relatable setting brings to life the true lives of the students portrayed. It puts a face to the realities and struggles of the African-American community, something that has been done, but not as successful as this show.
In the world we live in today, racism is still such an apparent problem in America. Having a show like “Dear White People” is pushing the boundaries of not only what we can see, but what we should see. This show should watched by everyone, just so everyone can understand the realities of today. It will make you laugh, cry, think, and cheer on the protagonist. Having a feminist, strong, proud woman of color at the center of such a realistic show is not only incredible, but inspiring.
To close, please think of the words of Samantha White:
“Dear white people, our skin color is not a weapon. You don’t have to be afraid of it.”
