Dear White People

For Justin Simien’s first “real” film, Dear White People makes a grand statement about race relations and racial identity in America, causing conversation about what most Americans have attempted to avoid. The depth and development of the characters, along with the mix of humorous and serious content provided in the script is what makes this movie such a hit.

The movie is about black students who attend a predominantly white, ivy league school, and are trying to get back their rights to have an all black house on campus, not supported by the recent changes to housing. When Samantha White (played by Tessa Thompson) runs for president of the residence hall and wins, she has plans to change things around, not realizing how hard it might be. On the way, she finds herself the subject of a reality show called “Black Face/White Place,” and the envy of fellow black student, Coco Conners (played by Teyonah Parris). The rise of Sam’s “fame” among the school community also helps to establish the quirky freshman Lionel Higgins’ place on the all white staffed campus newspaper, with the incorrect assumption that he is familiar with black culture, in order to get an inside look on what’s really going on.

Although the storyline and plot development do the film great justice, the acting is what tops it off. Simien starts Tessa Thompson’s character, Samantha White, off as a self assured and incredibly outspoken young woman, using her radio show “Dear White People” and her new presidency as her platform. Instead of keeping her in this mold, holes in her character emerge, telling the story of a biracial girl trying to stand up for social change for a people who don’t fully believe in her.

The development of Tyler James Williams’ character, Lionel Higgins, was equally important in its showing of the difficulties he goes through being gay and trying to fit into a culture that he doesn’t believe understands, represents or supports him. The development of his character is essential to the story because the way he grows to find where he fits in helps to demonstrate the depth of black culture, as well as to show the perspective of a gay youth that viewers don’t usually see.

This movie did exactly what it was intended to do, which was to get people talking. The movie, however, was not just about having these conversations, but it also served as great entertainment. The intellect mixed with humor of the script are reasons why this movie could be watched again and again.