Dear White People

The Atlanta Film Festival literally, in my opinion, saved the best film for last. Directed by Justin Simien, Dear White People takes a comedic approach to serious issues regarding racial identity, sexual preference and relationships.

The feature script for Dear White People follows the events leading up to a race riot a prestigious predominately white university through the perspectives of four very different Black students.

Now, I'm Black and I am TIRED of seeing movies about race. Yep, I said it. No, I do not want to see 12 Years a Slave. I don't care how many awards it receives. But alas, race will always be the elephant in the room topic, even if you don't aim for it to be.DWP took the elephant and pretty much sat it in your lap. Although the somber issues were based on real life situations, the film garnered lots of laughs and rounds of applause from the Atlanta audience.

The truth is, my film really isn't about "white racism" or racism at all. As I see it racism is systemic and is inherently reflected in any honest story about life as a minority in this country. What my film is about however is identity. It's about the difference between how the mass culture responds to a person because of their race and who they understand themselves to truly be.

You'll definitely recognize a few familiar faces. The dramedy stars Tyler James Williams (“Everybody Hates Chris”), Tessa Thompson (“Veronica Mars”), Dennis Haysbert (Allstate Insurance guy) and a suuuuper brief appearance by Issa Rae ("Akward Black Girl"). Actually, the entire cast in this film did a damn good job acting.I'm looking forward to seeing more of Justin Simien's wit on screen. I know it will be hilarious. And not in a "Madea" fashion.