Michael B. Jordan, Chadwick Boseman, Idris Elba, Viola Davisand Tessa Thompson They are among more than 300 black artists and executives asking Hollywood to try Black Lives Matter. In a letter written by Unsafe actor Kendrick Sampson, Thompson and Black Lives co-founders Matter Patrisse Cullors and Melina Abdullah, the group calls on Hollywood to divest from the police and raise black talents and stories amid the ongoing Black Lives Matter movement sparked by the murder of George Floyd by Minnesota Police Officers.
More than 300 black artists and executives signed an open letter asking the entertainment industry to divest itself of anti-black and police content and instead raise black talent, stories, careers, and pay. The open letter says (via Variety):
“Hollywood has a privilege as a creative industry to imagine and create. We have a significant influence on culture and politics. We have the ability to use our influence to imagine and create a better world. However, historically and currently, Hollywood encourages the epidemic of police violence and the anti-black culture. ”
The letter was written by Unsafe actor Kendrick Sampson, who was shot by rubber bullets and was hit by a police baton during protests against police brutality in Los Angeles, as well as Avengers Endgame star Tessa Thompson and Black Lives co-founders Matter Patrisse Cullors and Melina Abdullah. Co-signers include Viola Davis, Michael B Jordan, Idris Elba, Chadwick Boseman, Octavia Spencer, Cynthia Erivo, Issa Rae, Anthony Mackie, Billy Porter, and Danai Gurira.
The letter, which links Hollywood blacks portrayals and mainstream media to the Floyd murder and other cases of police brutality, as well as Hollywood’s long history of transphobic representations to the Tony McDade murders in Florida, Nina Pop in Missouri, Dominique falls in Philadelphia and Riah Milton in Ohio:
“The way that Hollywood and the mainstream media have contributed to the criminalization of blacks, the misrepresentation of the legal system, and the glorification of corruption and police violence has had serious consequences on the lives of blacks.”
The letter, which comes hand in hand with the television industry that faces its share of glorifying police brutality, calls on Hollywood to “dispose of the police and anti-black content,” while urging the industry. from entertainment to investing in “racist anti-content” and black communities.
“We demand better,” concludes the letter. “Show that Black Lives Matter cares about Hollywood by taking bold steps to affirm, defend and invest in black lives. Follow the examples of the Minneapolis School District, the Denver Public Schools, the University of Minnesota and many other institutions to get rid of the police system and invest in the black community. “
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