Dear White People, if you are offended by the supposed 'platform' you have deemed the new show is taking on, perhaps you should watch it.
Okay, Okay, yes I know-- I am LATE to the party, but finals just ended so I have finally had time to binge and assess. Yes, I finally got around to watching 'Dear White People' and it is everything I hoped it would be and more. But I didn't watch in peace; timelines and feeds across every app in my mobile phone read a common distaste for Netflix's newest original.
"Could you imagine if the roles were reversed? There would be outrage."
"Yet another show for black people. But of course we could never have something like that, there would be riots in the street."
These are just a few examples of statements that clouded every social media platform as far as the eye could see. Instinctively, I want to remind these people that every other show is cast in the white majority and that all of these could be seen as a show for those in the majority. I want to bring attention to the fact that movies like the Wolf of Wallstreet and shows like Full House among almost every other, is not exactly telling of the black American narrative. But instead, I will enlighten everyone of the true intention of this satirical form of attention-seeking.
See the secret is, that much like the party planned by Sam in the show, the creators of the show want that reaction.
What better way to exemplify modern day ignorance than to create a title and watch the madness begin. Clearly those upset about this show haven't taken the time to watch it, because if they had they would realize the purpose of the show is to do exactly the opposite of focusing on white people in America; and rather to shed light of the strife of the POCs who are still today being affected by systemic racism.
Dear White People calls attention to some serious truths in not only the way black people are being oppressed, but also in the ways black people are in turn using these traits we have been taught to marginalize each other. From colorism to hair texture, this show gives insight on the ways in which we place validity on who's black enough.
This is a show by black people, for the world. Because sometimes racism isn't as blatant as black face, and simply put: some people will never know the terror of a campus security guard. The lightness or darkness of complexion isn't divisive of all groups of races and you do see color. There is something to be said that even in this context, deep seeded issues must be masked with humor to avoid being waved off as another "angry black person".
This show reminds us that the barrel of a gun in the hands of authority seems to be all too fond of a little extra melanin.
We are reminded that we have long way to go in the face of something deeply systemic, and that much can be said about an issue that can only be swallowed satirically.
This show reminds us that these are the "truths" we hold to be self evident.
Dear White People: maybe the issue is that you assumed, yet again, that this was all about you.
