(Example: “Dear White People, dating a black person just to piss off your parents is itself a form of racism.”) But Sam, too, is playing a part: She’s secretly in a relationship with a white student, and we get constant hints that she might not quite be as militant as she seems - certainly not as militant as the Black Student Union folks that she’s allied herself with. But his reign is about to end, as he’s just lost to Samantha White (Tessa Thompson), a fierce, outspoken DJ and blogger who hosts a radio show and video blog called “Dear White People,” in which she calls out whites for their various condescending attitudes toward blacks. Bell) is the son of the school’s dean (Dennis Haysbert) and has been the head of Armstrong-Foster for a couple of years now. Meanwhile, consummate student politician Troy Fairbanks (Brandon P. He’s ostracized from his largely white residence, and although he sports a huge, proud Afro, he’s not sure that a gay guy who likes Robert Altman movies and listens to Mumford & Sons would be any more welcome at Armstrong-Foster, the school’s historically black residence. Gay, shy reporter Lionel Higgins (Tyler James Williams, who played young Chris in Everybody Hates Chris) is a total outcast. In particular, the story brings together four black students, each wrestling with their identity in different ways. It then flashes back to the individuals and incidents that helped to set off this alleged racial conflagration. It opens with news of a “race war” that’s been set off at the fictional Ivy League institution Winchester University, thanks to an offensive black-themed Halloween party given by some white students (complete with a mock-freestyle rap contest, blackface, toy guns, and “purple drank”).
It’s hilarious, and just about everyone will wince with recognition at some point in the film. The film is called Dear White People, but it might as well be called Dear Everybody. But it also maybe says something about our own racial moment. That the film’s satire isn’t contradicted by its sincerity is certainly a testament to the talents of this young director and his impeccable cast.
RELATED: Vic Mensa Opens Up About Black Trauma And Socially Charged New SingleĢ Chainz performed five songs, including, “Southside Hov”, “Good Drank” and “Grey Area”.īoth Ross and Chainz performed as part of NPR Music’s “Tiny Desk” series celebration of Black History Month, featuring four weeks of concerts and playlists by Black artists spanning different genres.Justin Simien’s Dear White People positions itself as a skewering of racial attitudes among students and faculty at a prestigious university, but, at heart, it’s a touching, even earnest story about acceptance - or, rather, our longing for said acceptance. The Grammy-winning rapper treated himself to some pampering, including a foot massage at the top of his performance. (Blowin’ Money Fast)” and “Tears of Joy”.įellow rapper 2 Chainz performed a “Tiny Desk (Home) Concert” on Wednesday, swapping out the gold and white throne for an extra-tall sofa chair.
The Maybach Music mogul performed an eclectic mix of songs, including “Super High”, “B.M.F.
RELATED: Black Social Media Creatives To Watch In 2021 Ross performed in a large room - complete with a gold throne. Ross and his backup musicians delivered a hip-hop performance ranging from groovy to hard on Tuesday’s “Tiny Desk (Home) Concert” for NPR Music.