Dear White People
Imagine attending a college where less than 5 percent of the student population looks like you. This is the reality for many Black students attending Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs). In 2006, UCLA admitted just 96 Black students out of a freshman class of 4,800. This came 10 years after California banned affirmative action, meaning colleges and universities could not consider race or ethnicity during the admission process. Seven other states have banned the practice and since the "infamous 96," affirmative action has begun to disappear altogether.
Writer-director Justin Simien tackles affirmative action controversy in his talked-about debut, Dear White People.
According to Complex.com, "There's a scene where one of the white students claims that the hardest thing to be in the American job force is an educated white male, since all of the black kids [and he references Obama] are using affirmative action to their benefit and taking up spots that otherwise would go to a more qualified white student."
Simien focuses on many other aspects of racism throughout the film. The satiric comedy, which began as a trailer and later led to a successful kick-starter campaign, has been making a huge buzz since its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival Jan. 18. Set at fictional Ivy League, Winchester University, the film follows four Black students as they deal with their white peers and struggle with self-identity. It stars Tyler James Williams ("Everybody Hates Chris"), Tessa Thompson (For Colored Girls) and Kyle Gallner ("Veronica Mars"). Main character Sam White (Thompson) leads the film as a biracial student with a controversial radio show, aptly titled, "Dear White People." Sam anchors her show with a series of quips including, "Dear white people: Stop touching my hair" and "Dear white people: Stop dancing." The main conflict centers on the possible eradication of race-themed housing. And when Sam is elected president of the all-Black residential hall, Parker- Armstrong, she becomes increasingly militant. A series of events leads to an ignorant African-American themed Party being thrown on campus and things come to a head when a race riot ensues.
Dear White People was awarded the Breakthrough Talent Award at Sundance, just one year after Fruitvale Station made similar waves. Both films shed light on the frightening reality that racism is still alive. Coincidentally Dear White People premiered just days before a fraternity at Arizona State University threw a Martin Luther King, Jr. "Black Out Party," requiring attendants to wear oversized jerseys and backwards hats while drinking from watermelon cups. The Black struggle is real. That's my opinion. I'm just a fly on the wall, minding my own business...
Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly
More thenewsargus News Articles
- CAMPUS CREW; What do you think about the new arrangement in the cafeteria?
- Welcome back Ram Family
- ‘Empire’ vs ‘Black-ish’
- A final Look Editor's Column: Leap of faith
Recent thenewsargus News Articles
Discuss This Article
MOST POPULAR THENEWSARGUS
WSSU Rams Head Football Coach Relieved of His Duties By Elijah Richardson
Bennett College Loses Accreditation Despite Raising Sufficient Funds By Elijah Richardson
Smollett Investigation Continues To Be Unsolved and Difficult to Resolve By Elijah Richardson
Lady Rams look to reverse an abysmal 2014-2015 season By Demetrius Dillard
GET TOP STORIES DELIVERED WEEKLY
LATEST THENEWSARGUS
- Black Business
- WSSU Rams Head Football Coach Relieved of His Duties
- Controversial Wake Forest Tweet Sparks Outrage
- Bennett College Loses Accreditation Despite Raising Sufficient Funds
- Smollett Investigation Continues To Be Unsolved and Difficult to Resolve
- UREC Looks To Continue and Improve Student Engagement Through Physical...
- University Recreation To Hold Personal Training Pilot Study
FOLLOW OUR NEWSPAPER
RECENT THENEWSARGUS CLASSIFIEDS
OUTSIDE THE LINES
- Salonpas® Brand Stands the Test of Time
- Tips to “Yard Your Way” This Spring
- Upgraded Upstate Power Grid Will Deliver a Smarter,...
- A Story To Sing About
- The Gap in Gum Care: Why Caring For Your Teeth’s F...
- Top Tips for Signature Scents and Better-Smelling Laundry
- A Dog Trainer’s Top Tips to Support Pets Through Life S...
- Clear the Air of Indoor Pollutants This Spring
- Stroke & Dementia in Black Men: Tips for Staying Healthy...
- Hispanics and African Americans at Higher Risk for Eye...
FROM AROUND THE WEB
- New Expo Showcases AI Innovation
- Self-Care and Mental Health Tips for Caregivers
- Adventure Awaits: Discover the Playset that Brings...
- Need Auto Glass Repair? Don’t Despair
- Pioneering Fast and Affordable Broadband for the Underserved
- 7 Reasons Renting an RV Should Be On Every Family’s S...
- Don’t Let Diabetes Shortchange Your Golden Years
- No Child is Forgotten By Marine Toys for Tots
- Sweeten Your Springtime Salads With Healthy Chilean Grapes
- Young Author Translates 4,000-Year-Old Text to Reveal...
COLLEGE PRESS RELEASES
- Guidenar Launches New Career Test for Gen Z
- GotIt! Education Offers MathGPT Free to All State & Community Colleges
- Shoff Promotions Comic Book & Sports Card Show
- Semiconductor Research Corp unveils 2024 Research Call, $13.8M Funding
- Charles River Associates Opens Second Scholarship Cycle, Expands to the UK