Can you tell that I really like High Flying Bird? You probably can’t tell. How could you? I’ve only written one piece about it, except now, scratch that, make that two.
I don’t disguise my biases, and in entertainment journalism and criticism, your are your biases. Basically, I’m saying I’m biased in favor of High Flying Bird, which is to say that I’m biased in favor of very good movies, which, going further, is to say that I am biased in favor of Steven Soderbergh, Tarell Alvin McCraney, and André Holland, not only a talented actor but a real gentleman.
Talking about race and racism isn’t easy. I don’t think it’s easy to talk about race and racism when we’re just talking about members of our own tribes; even discussing racism among my fellow crackers is uncomfortable at best. But the trick is, discuss racism we must*. So maybe the world didn’t really need a white film critic talking about systemic racism in sports with one of the best black American actors out there, but that’s what happened anyway, and honestly, I’m proud of how the conversation, and the piece, turned out.
You can read the full article over at Thrillist.
*White people especially. Any time some whitey talks about “starting a dialogue” on race, they assume that “starting a dialogue” means simply saying “let’s start a dialogue” with no follow-up. Y’all: Do better.
A Constant Visual Feast 