The film “Dear White People” is a satirical drama written and directed by Justin Simien. The film focuses on black students attending an Ivy League college in America starring Tyler James Williams, Tessa Thompson, Teyonah Parris, Brandon P Bell, Kyle Gallner, Brittany Curran, Marque Richardson and Dennis Haysbert.
Ever wonder what the black experience is like living in a white world? This movie delves into two topics: what whites think about blacks and how blacks treat each other. Along the way, the film tackles several issues including what one will do to become successful, the use of pop culture in black and white society, the have and have nots, love, and of course racism. It also a film about finding your voice and self discovery.
The film opens from the end detailing events that lead up to a racial conflict. Then the film rewinds five weeks prior, showing what leads up to the clash. Tessa Thompson is wonderful as Samantha White, the conflicted leader of a black student group trying to get justice for blacks on campus, while struggling with her own mixed race identity. Watch out for Tyler James Williams who plays Lionel Higgins. We watched him grow up right before our eyes on “Everybody Hates Chris” and now you get a chance to see him stretch his acting skills.
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