Maker “Black-ish” and “#blackAF” Kenya Barris was not afraid to talk politics during his virtual panel at the American Black Film Festival, which launched Friday.
Barris, who left ABC Studios in 2018 for a lucrative deal with Netflix, says he’s focused on using his voice more than ever – and that includes successfully pushing Disney to release a previously “Black-ish” to release episodes that touch on issues such as Colin Kaepernick’s protests against police brutality, President Trump and white supremacists.
“We just put our old episode of ‘Black-ish’ on Hulu and three years ago I did that (made) that and for some reason it’s not OK. But it was important to see this. Three years ago we’re talking about this. Three years ago these were our concerns, “Barris said during the Q&A, which was moderated by” One 1 “podcast host Angela Rye.
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Barris, 46, speaking from his home, said the current political climate and the Black Lives Matter movement dominate his attention.
‘I think this is the only time in my life that I actually have writer’s block. There is so much happening now. People are like, ‘You probably write so much in the house. “It’s such a challenging time,” said Barris, who is developing a Juneteenth musical with Pharrell Williams for Netflix and is the co-screenwriter of the upcoming “Coming to America 2” (the last to be said) currently edited).
Given his platform, Barris feels compelled to be a part of this moment. “And not necessarily trying to get controls. The creative part of me is a bit dull at the moment, because I feel like we’m in a big fight and we need to get together more than ever, even if we’re not together. to agree on how to move forward. “
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That includes tackling inequalities around the upcoming elections. “I’m now focused on making election day (a holiday),” said the television creator, writer and actor. “You want us as Black Americans to participate in your democracy, even if democracy does not always accept us. But you will not leave us free for at least a day, and we need our jobs more than most, to contribute to your democracy? Why might Columbus Day be a holiday, but … (not election day)? “
A 2018 Pew Research Center poll found bipartisan support for majority for the idea: 71% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents and 59% of Republicans and GOP advocates said they would support making election day a national holiday.
USA TODAY survey: What if election day was a holiday?
Barris continued: “Why can’t cops vote? They paid for their time, that you probably gave them wrong. Why should they not participate in your democracy – because it can lie in a way you do not want it to? suffer? … Sometimes entertainment gives you a place to say that to people in a way they did not think. I’m really focused on it. I’m clear that this is something I want to do my voice. “
His advice to those trying to diversify Hollywood? It matters who is sitting behind the camera, in writers’ rooms and in executive suites.
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‘I tell all my friends who are white showrunners,’ Look, just make sure you (world) look like the world when you put your (writer’s space) together. (‘Friends’ co-creator) Marta Kauffman I’m Considering a Friend; she recently spoke out (about the lack of variety on the show) and said ‘I wish I had done it differently. ‘Because I always said, in what part of New York is‘ Friends ’filmed? There’s not even a Puerto Rican? “Said Barris.
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“But they had no impulse to create that world for themselves. That I think it’s important to us when we create our worlds … make sure it looks like a world we feel is equal to something we want people to see. ”
Barris’ ABFF panel appeared to have been filmed before sen. Kamala Harris joined Joe Biden on the Democratic ticket because he expressed his hope for a Black woman as the Vice Presidential candidate.
“Would Joe Biden be my candidate I would necessarily have chosen? I do not know. I do not think so. “I absolutely want Trump out,” he said. And I feel like in this current political system that we are, it’s a two-party system, and right now that’s who we are. It’s our job to make sure we do not just hand it over to him … This is our time to really make sure our voice is really heard in the Democratic Party. ‘
ABFF will run through August 30 and stream more than 90 films for Black cinema, including panel discussions with Oscar-winning filmmaker Barry Jenkins, “Candyman” director Nia DaCosta, Mary J. Blige, Lena Waithe and Gabrielle Union.
