In the entertainment industry it is no surprise for an actor to avoid taking a stance on a topic or make any statement relative to the traditional American faux pas such as religion or politics. On one hand you have a large group of established, veteran actors featured on political, religious or social cause propaganda. But, then you have the rest of working actors who – for the most part – stay mum when it comes to publicly being opinionated. Who can blame us? There is a perfectly economical reason for avoiding the taboos. Many will advise you, as I’ve been advised, to stay neutral for as long as possible and steer away from controversial topics as to not marginalize any potential audience. Making complete dollar sense. I wouldn’t want to lose out on a role of a lifetime just because the Casting Director didn’t exactly share my political view, I’d rather stay ambiguous and not step on any proverbial ‘toes.’ And that’s the way I’ve operated for the most part.
Being an extremely opinionated person, I’ll admit it’s been very difficult. I tend to get very passionate and heated over debates of politics, religion…or even art! Hell, I’m Mediterranean you couldn’t expect anything else. Even in my native country of Algeria, it is very typical to walk by the streets and see groups of men playing chess outside of a cafe while throwing their arms in the air and debating over the current state of the economy and geopolitics. I grew up in that environment, with those men and women as family members, and that’s only on one side of the family. On my father’s side, my grandfather and was known to help in the revolution against French colonization of Mali. Most of my father’s family members are either in the educational field or involved in the country as political officials. In fact my aunt who I was named after was the chief of finance for the African Bank before retiring and currently working as a consultant for international NGOs.
I remember upon my immigration to the U.S. having to learn the American nuances and social dynamics and being advised then not to discuss religion, politics or sex at all. I thought it was strange, because in my young mind, how else are a people suppose to stay engaged in their nation’s political advancements if they’re unable to express them openly at social engagements? Yet, I adopted the politically-correct societal behaviors and found myself interacting and socializing mostly with other foreigners instead. There was something about being able to be open and completely transparent during a friendly, sometimes heated debate, where there was room for learning and no room for judgment or sensitivities. The fear of how things will be interpreted or mis-interpreted fuels much of the direction of conversations. While, I’ll admit that it takes a great amount of effort for me not to voice an opinion on any topic, and in the last few years I’ve learned to master my gesticulation…and just smile and nod.
Nonetheless, the act of consciously staying publicly ‘neutral’ is a hot topic amongst my industry friends. For most of my professional acting years I’ve not made any posts or given any interviews that sway one way or the other on anything. Through the years I’ve learned to not chime in on certain topics and the craft has helped me to become even more patient with others’ views and accept the fact that I cannot voice my opinion and can walk away without expressing it at all. However, having a very eclectic background where I can relate with many minority groups and being an extremely passionate individual, constantly leads me to clash internally. Thus, leading to an inevitable breaking point where I feel inspired to become more vocal in the causes that I believe in. I’ve never wavered from wanting to help build progress, one of the many reasons I apprenticed at the United Nations with idealistic expectations, and after becoming an official U.S. citizen in 2008, I feel it is my duty to do so now more than ever.
As eloquent Harry Belafonte recently stated at his acceptance speech on race and social injustice, at the annual Governor’s Awards ceremony in a room full of celebrities, I echo his sentiments:
“Each and every one of you in this room, with your gift and power and skills, could perhaps change the way in which our global humanity mistrusts itself. Perhaps we as artists and visionaries for what’s better in the human heart and the human soul could influence citizens everywhere in the world to see the better side of who and what we are as a species.”
*WATCH Harry Belefante’s official speech:
With the recent global die-ins and protests, it is evident that the U.S. is going through a revolution. No matter how subtle, this rippling wave of consciousness is rolling onto the shores of Hollywood. I admire Jesse Williams’ notorious and fervent tangent about race relations in Television and Film. The earnest Grey’s Anatomy star posed some very good questions for the American community to ponder in an impromptu street interview, including but not limited to: the importance of perspective, the ability to become desensitized to a certain race due to the lack of interaction, America’s plummeting educational values, highlighting the sense of anti-intellectualism culture and its shift to the privatization of prisons, and so much more.
*WATCH Jesse Williams interview here:
It was also no surprise to see actors such as Samuel L. Jackson’s video ‘Call To Action’ challenging celebrities to call our “Violence of Racist Police” going viral on YouTube. Nor was I shocked to read Chris Rock’s essay published in The Hollywood Reporter about his personal experience of racial injustice in Hollywood. What I appreciate the most in his essay is his ability to be pragmatic on the history and current state of entertainment world, “It’s a white industry. Just as the NBA is a black industry. I’m not even saying it’s a bad thing. It just is. And the black people they do hire tend to be the same person. That person tends to be female and that person tends to be Ivy League. And there’s nothing wrong with that.”
My parents definitely tried their best to shield my siblings and I from racism the best they could, I attended private schools growing up and lived in predominantly white neighborhoods. We attended numerous symphony concerts, dressed in what Americans called ‘preppy clothes.’ Our dinner soirees included close family friends such as Algerian novels and feminist, Assia Djebra who is considered to be one of North Africa’s most influential writers. The sheltering attempts were especially strong upon our immigration to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, as they truly believed that our ‘elite’ upbringing would protect us from violent acts of discrimination. And in my case, I can say that they’ve succeeded…up until now.
Between Shonda Rhimes’ network television reign of hits, the beautiful up-and-coming Oscar winner Lupita N’yongo breaking the traditional American mold of beauty and now Idris Elba rumored to play the next James bond, I couldn’t ask for a more perfect time in America to be a minority, female, actor. Yes, we can revel in the small steps of achievement, as women and as blacks. While something such as the suggestion of beautiful Idris Elba cast as the next James Bond should be cause for celebration is instead the controversy when radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh said on his show that Bond should be “white and Scottish.”
To add insult to injury, another tainted celebration was directed at young actress Quvenzhané Wallis (who won my heart in her performance in ‘Beasts of the Southern Wild’) in a backlash via social media for her role as Annie in the modern adaptation. What should have been a poignant landmark moment in cinema’s history, something as rare in the nation’s cinema history as a kid’s film with a black girl as the protagonist, turned into a disheartening attack on a talented, little girl. This coupled with Rush Limbaugh’s racist comments on the rumored casting of James Bond is a constant reminder of the bigotry that is prevalent in the media.
Film and television is rooted in the ancient African art of storytelling via Griots. This art form is one of the most powerful forms of human expression and reflection and is the entire basis of filmmaking. We know our history because of it, names are suddenly given meaning and awareness is brought to socioeconomic issues. I have a personal connection to the craft of acting stemming from my native country, Mali and its history, known as the Malian Empire. What started from the traditional art of storytelling with Griots performing as the living archives of the Malian people’s traditions, has transitioned into digital storytelling. Powerful stories compelled us to think, to discuss, and hopefully to act.
These recent events have reinforced my belief that one can only be neutral for so long. I participated in the die-in protest at 30th Market Street Station and peaceful march to City Hall, it was one of the most fulfilling acts of the year. Standing in unison among fellow blacks to make a statement: that the system of policing needs to be re-evaluated and that justice and accountability is above no one, not even the police. This helped me reconnect with my ability to be a change maker.
We all have the potential to be change makers, to ignite thought. As actors and filmmakers it is our social responsibility to bring to light the systemic problems with institutions that hurt minority communities and we must help usher in the cultural shift that is desperately needed.
I believe that this effect must also trickle into Hollywood. I’m thankful for progress, no matter how small. It is no question that media is an important cultural tool. From the ancient practice of storytelling, Hollywood (the media) impacts people of all ages, genders, and races. Casting more non-American-traditional types in prominent roles which will expand the horizons of the American culture and aid along the process of creating a more peaceful, accepting future. It would show solidarity amongst the executives and would usher in a new wave of films. Films which would showcase our beautiful differences as human beings. We have to start imagining a new reality of storytelling. Whether it starts with a Black Annie, Black Bond, Asian Cinderella or even a new character who all can relate to.