“You're seeing a lot of Black shows being canceled, and you're seeing a lot of CEOs — especially in DEI [diversity, equity and inclusion] “The side — be ready,” Ray told Net-a-Porter on Monday. “You see very clearly now that our stories are becoming less of a priority.”
Issa Rae He doesn't feel very hopeful about the future of black-led television.
In a new cover story for Net Porterthe Unsafe The creator said she feels pessimistic about the state of television and representation in the industry amid the cancellation of several Black-led shows, including her series Max, Rap sh!t.
“You're seeing a lot of Black shows being canceled, and you're seeing a lot of CEOs — especially in DEI [diversity, equity and inclusion] Side – get canned. “You see very clearly now that our stories are less of a priority,” Ray said. “I'm pessimistic because no one holds anyone accountable — and I certainly could, but also at what cost? I can't force you to make my stuff.”
the Barbie The star said it forced her to explore the independent path, with Rae telling the outlet that she's willing to take the necessary steps to try producing her own content independently, if she needs to.
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Ray's comments come just weeks later Rap sh!t It was not renewed for a third season by Max after the second season's premiere was delayed from August to November due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
The actress and writer, whose most recent effort saw her star in the Oscar-nominated film, American fantasyalso noted that Black stories in particular need more diversity so that the experience of Blackness is not generalized or shortchanged.
“I don't think it's a secret that many white audiences and critics tend to reward painful images, or have biased perceptions of what blackness is. It's depressing,” Rae said of her role as author Sentara Golden in the film, which was directed by Cord Jefferson.
The film follows Jeffrey Wright's Thelonious “Monk” Ellison, a frustrated author who is forced to release a “hood-lit” novel after seeing tanking sales of his previous work. Frustrated with the literary world and their perception of black fiction, Ellison crafts a novel that feeds into the very derogatory stereotypes he tries to distance himself from after his novel. We live in da ghettosees great success.
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“If this had been a movie just about that black family, I don’t know that it would have gotten as much praise as it did,” Ray said. “These types of films are hard to make.”
Rae, who described the film as a relatable film, began her YouTube series, Awkward black girlShe said it reminds her of the void she first saw in the industry when she was starting out.
“Found [the script] Very relatable, very funny, very sarcastic. Because I was a monk, and I remember V.I Awkward black girl “Days — and even before that — I felt so angry about what wasn't being made,” she explained. Much more than what is presented here. I realize this thirst for just wanting your work to be seen and attacking the wrong targets.”
Although Ray has long been a household name in Hollywood, she's not done yet, telling the outlet that 2024 is “really about firing on all cylinders.”
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“This is what I'm excited about,” she said, noting that she has “barely scratched the surface” in terms of collaborators on her wish list.
“I really want to have a good time with the people I love,” Ray added.
