Writer, producer, and actress Issa Rae made some complaints about her projects getting canceled.
“You’re seeing so many black shows get canceled, you’re seeing so many executives — especially on the DEI side — get canned. You’re seeing very clearly now that our stories are less of a priority,” the 39-year-old reportedly said during a cover interview with Porter.
“It’s made me take more steps to try to be independent down the line if I have to,” she added of any potential new projects.
Max canceled her comedy “Rap Sh!t” after two seasons earlier this year, per The Hollywood Reporter. “A Black Lady Sketch Show,” another of Rae’s efforts, was axed last summer.
The TV series creator mentioned the comedy-drama film “American Fiction,” which follows a black writer named Thelonious “Monk” Ellison who writes a satirical memoir that winds up becoming a best-seller. He copies the work of a bestselling author who wrote “We’s Lives in Da Ghetto,” seemingly to pander to white audiences and play up black stereotypes.
“When [the HBO series] ‘Insecure’ came out, I was very clear: ‘This is not a story about all black women. This is a very specific story,’” Rae told the outlet.
“I’ve been [‘American Fiction’ character] Monk, and I remember in the ‘Awkward Black Girl’ days — and even prior to that — feeling so enraged about what wasn’t being made, and being mad at who was in the spotlight at the time because I was like, ‘I know we’re so much more than what’s being presented here.’ I recognize that hunger, of just wanting your work to be seen and attacking the wrong targets.”
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“I agree with [Sintara’s] point that [Monk’s] ire should be directed towards the white audiences that put very specific work about black people on this pedestal, as opposed to more diverse representations of blackness,” she said.
“I don’t think it’s a secret that many white audiences and critics tend to reward traumatizing depictions, or their own biased perceptions of what blackness is,” Rae added.
Rae also said she’s working on some other projects. “I’m writing a couple of different projects — one for myself and one to produce and create with others — and I’ve been feeling so inspired and excited to get back at it,” the actress said. “The industry is in flux, so it’s really inspired me to focus and hone in on what stories I want to tell. I’ve been laser-focused on getting these projects up and running.”
