NETFLIX ORIGINAL | 'Dear White People'
Brave. Compelling. Hilarious. These are just some of the words that will come to mind when trying to describe the amazing show that is 'Dear White People' after binging the entire ten-episode first season. For those who wonder if a show can be politically correct and entertaining, please watch.
'Dear White People', created and produced by Justin Simien, is a Netflix original series based on the movie of the same name. The series is a comedy satire and focusses on a cast of coloured students at a predominantly white Ivy league college as they negotiate through issues of identity politics, racism, social injustice, political activism and other intense and controversial issues.
There is Sam White (Logan Browning), a bi-racial, loud activist who runs a radio show on campus titled Dear White People, where she calls out issues of racial injustice, and who by the end of the first episode is revealed to be dating a white man.
There is Lionel Higgens (DeRon Horton), a socially awkward, introverted black man who comes to realise he is gay whilst writing for his college’s independent newspaper.
There is Troy Fairbanks (Brandon P Bell) who is running for college President to appease his difficult father, who is a dean at the college, and the first black one at that.
There is Colandrea ‘Coco’ Conners (Antoinette Robertson) - a fiery, intelligent black woman with political ambition, who believes it is better to beat a white person at their games then it is to be a social activist. The cast of interesting and in-depth characters goes on and on.
A compelling technique used throughout the show are the 'revolving narrators'. Each episode picks up from a different character’s point of view, following on from the events of the previous episode. The series begins with Sam White, the second episode continues from Lionel’s eyes, which is then followed by Troy, Coco, Reggie Green (Marque Richardson) and so on. Interestingly, this is not confusing, rather allowing for the life on campus and scope of the drama to be better realised. It is powerful in that it makes unlikeable characters sympathetic, and likeable characters more human.
Other interesting filming technique includes 'Modern Family'-esque moments, especially at the end of each episode whereby the characters look directly into the camera lens, right at the viewer.
There are also interruptions in the form of uniquely designed scenes to symbolise the thoughts of the narrator character; for instance, Gabe Mitchell’s (John Patrick Amedori) love for noir films used to express his increasing belief that Sam has cheated on him, or pans of the room without walls for Lionel, who is somehow all-seeing and yet dizzy with indecision. Each inclusion is small but very effective.
What really makes this show, however, is the writing. 'Dear White People' is written for people of colour, especially black people. It imbibes what it means to be a black person: the language used amongst each other, the reference points, the expectations and duels between them; this show doesn’t just talk about intersectionality, it shows how it plays out in life and how no-one has it quite figured out yet. It also showcases the range of white people who try to help, hinder or ignore the cause and the effects this has on our group of loveable characters and their lives.
'Dear White People' is proudly black. It does not explain or pander, but it also does not exclude the white audience. It is entertaining as it is funny and dramatic, and generally impressive as the TV show it is, without all the political and social commentary which enriches it.
The list of commendations for this show goes on; it fantastically portrays strong female friendships, positive and negative relationships, the effects of group think, on-campus college life, feminism, journalism ethics, and so on. No themes or issues are included in the series without deep consideration and pin-point precision, but with its fluid writing, it certainly doesn’t feel that way whilst watching it. It simply feels effortless.
There is a lot to be applauded: the acting, the casting, the unapologetic nature of everything. In the end, all that can really be said is 'Dear White People' is a groundbreaking Netflix Original masterpiece that educates.
'Dear White People' is unique, proud, funny and absolutely wonderful - a must-watch in today’s social and political climate.
'Dear White People' is available on Netflix now!
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