More on Diversity with Lee Daniels & Melody Hobson

Here is an excellent conversation — Melody Hobson & Lee Daniels Talk Diversity

I was watching a clip on FB today and it featured a Roundtable interview featuring Lee Daniels with other writers, for the Hollywood Reporter. It was actually a shock for me.

I have not viewed Lee Daniels in the most positive light when it comes to ‘his role’ in our image. The way that we are portrayed on television and in movies has been a real issue for decades. Yet, his conversation with white writers on their refusal to seek out black talent was mind blowing.

Then his reveal that, he’s gone out of his way to find black writers to write for his show was also, something I just was not ready for. I Didn’t expect that from him. It was actually refreshing. he said that he hates when white people write for black actors; that it’s offensive.

It absolutely has been.

That’s always been a huge issue for so many of us who just don’t see real portrayals of our lives on screen. We see, stereotypes and caricatures instead. Many of us, would even say the people on Empire fit that bill. Perhaps to a degree they do. However since I really don’t watch the show, and so many others do… maybe they are seeing what I’m not.

….