The Umbrella Academy sent his characters back to the 1960s. So Allison (Emmy Raver-Lampman) travels back to the Civil Rights Movement. It is a precarious time for them, with or without superpowers. Raver-Lampman, however, welcomes the inclusion of such historical elements. She also drew inspiration from the late John Lewis and other leaders of Civil Rights.
[Spoiler Alert: This article contains mild spoilers for The Umbrella Academy Season 2.]
Raver-Lampman was on a panel for television critics association for The Umbrella Academy Season 2 on August 4th. She talked about Lewis, as well as the other real life judges she was studying for the season. Season 2 is now streaming on Netflix.
John Lewis was still alive when Emmy Raver-Lampman filmed ‘The Umbrella Academy’ season 2
Lewis died on July 17 at the age of 80. He was still serving in Congress when Raver-Lampman studied the period for The Umbrella Academy.
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“I’ve done extensive research,” Raver Lampman said. ‘I read every kind of book and watched every documentary. Congressman Lewis, his life’s work was dedicated to that movement and he was still alive while we were shooting it. He was a living, breathing, inspiration to my work. ”
In addition to John Lewis, Emmy Raver-Lampman studied other living civil judges
As season 2 begins, Allison considers using her powers against racist politicians who invade her home and arrest her husband (Yusuf Gatewood). Many real women lived under those circumstances in the 1960s.
RELATED: ‘The Umbrella Academy’ star Emmy Raver-Lampman Worried Allison used her powers in an unfavorable way in season 2, episode 6
“Also Ruby Bridges, who was the first black child to integrate into an all-white school,” Raver-Lampman said. ‘She’s just 65 words. So, I also looked at these people who are still alive and still have their work of their lives dedicated to magnifying the message of this movement and systematically ending racism and injustice. There are, of course, those we are taught. Then there are so many unsung heroes of the civil rights movement, and especially women. “
Emmy Raver-Lampman did homework for ‘The Umbrella Academy’ Season 2
In addition to the modern legacy of the Civil Rights Movement, Raver-Lampman reads books to learn more.
‘I mentioned this book Sisters in the Struggle, which is a book that goes into and talks about all the women and the work they did, ”said Raver-Lampman. “There was so much to take out. I think this was a huge part of the season for me and something I really, really enjoyed, really kind of continued my education. ”
Do their research for The Umbrella Academy made Raver-Lampman also realize how general education is lacking.
RELATED: Is ‘The Umbrella Academy’ Season 3 Coming to Netflix? The Cast teases the future of the show
“We are taught about civil rights at school [Movement], but we are not taught enough and we are not being taught about the harsh realities of the black experience, ‘said Raver-Lampman. ‘I really wanted to educate myself. I really enjoyed my knowledge about that time and the people who do not get credit for the work they did and how much of their lives they gave to that fight. “
Emmy Raver-Lampman hopes she will make the late John Lewis proud
Raver-Lampman believes civil rights movement is relevant to the climate of 2020. Protests over police violence and in support of Black Lives Matter continue. Raver-Lampman hopes to motivate the civil rights movement Umbrella Academy fans
There is still so much work to be done. I think Allison is part of the civil rights movement and sees violence before her eyes, there is not much difference between that violence and the violence we see on our television screens today. We are dealing with systemic racism in our country, and injustice and hatred at such a deep rooted level. Yes, there have been struggles in the end of hatred and the end of systemic racism, but it has not been done anywhere.
Emmy Raver-Lampman, The Umbrella Academy Television Critics Association panel, 8/4/2020
