Tibbers said:
I alluded to city of angels, a great show that focused on race in a meaningful way. It's just a pattern of behavior across most entertainment outlets. As I mentioned earlier, it's being incentivized and encouraged in film school.
As to why its a problem, I think the best way to deal with race issues is to show that they are only mental constructs. We are all the same except for cultural differences. When we can learn to laugh about those differences and not be inflamed by an incredibly small percentage of bad actors (racists), we can grow beyond focusing on color.
Now, and this is devoid of sarcasm, I'm sure your show will handle the subject matter gracefully. I have great confidence in your ability and think you will knock it out of the park.
Seriously, congratulations dude! That's an incredible accomplishment! I will watch your show as well.
Re: my show, I appreciate the support. I really do. At the very least, it'll be different from anything you've seen, and will tackle some of these themes in a way that's completely fresh and unique.
As for your race-as-a-problem explanation, however, we simply have a fundamental disagreement there.
I know you and others mean well with the "I don't see color! We're all the same!" sentiment. I get it. I do. But the more I've listened to people of color, the more I've come to understand how dismissive that sentiment can be. Because the fact is, in many instances, we ARE different. Beyond just the color of our skin. Our experiences, our history, our traditions, the way we're treated, etc, can at times be very distinct and separate, sometimes in very tangible and horrific ways. So, in that sense, certain black people don't want to hear the platitude that race - i.e. their history, traditions, the way they're treated, etc - is merely a "mental construct." Because it's not. It's so much more than that. Black people are instead saying, "We ARE different, and we want you to accept us ANYWAY." And only when we realize that - when we stop dismissing their experiences and point of view as nothing more than a "mental construct" and "victimhood mentality" - will they be validated in the way they're seeking. But that validation can only come from empathy on our part, which, as I spoke to earlier, is what they're ultimately seeking in these stories they're telling.
In other words, as long as people like you keep saying, "Race doesn't matter, get over it," the more people like them are going to keep making race a priority in the stories they're telling, as a means to try and get you to understand that it *does.* Yes, the goal is to eventually "grow beyond color." But we can't do that until our differences our first acknowledged, and then truly reckoned with.
