A Word: Lights, Camera, Diversity in Action

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Slate Podcasts

Music, Tv & Film, Arts

4.2 • 2K Ratings

🗓️ 17 February 2023

⏱️ 29 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Awards season can be a frustrating moment for Black writers in Hollywood, when even their most successful shows and films are frequently overlooked. Rodney Barnes has built a thriving career by telling stories of Black life, from “Everybody Hates Chris,” to “The Boondocks,” to “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty.” On today’s episode of A Word, he joins Jason Johnson to discuss the challenges and rewards of his rise as a screenwriter and producer. His latest work is a graphic novel, “Blacula: Return of the King.” Guest: Screenwriter Rodney Barnes Podcast production by Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola You can skip all the ads in A Word by joining Slate Plus. Sign up now at slate.com/awordplus for just $1 for your first month. Make an impact this Black History Month by helping Macy’s on their mission to fund UNCF scholarships for HBCU students. Go to macys.com/purpose to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	This is a word, a podcast from Slate.
0:03.5	I'm your host, Jason Johnson.
0:04.9	The war in season, a time when the best of the best in film
0:07.9	gets recognized and celebrated,
0:09.7	except when they aren't.
0:11.5	Black writers in Hollywood still struggle for attention
0:14.1	and acclaim.
0:15.0	And with another year and no African American writers
0:17.3	nominated for Oscars, how can Black writers actually
0:20.0	break through?
0:21.1	As long as you have creatives engaged and passionate,
0:26.0	you have an outlet.
0:27.2	And I don't put it just on the creatives
0:29.1	because I think the point that's under your point
0:31.4	is also their gatekeepers as well.
0:33.7	Writing while Black and Hollywood coming up on a word,
0:36.4	with me, Jason Johnson, stay with us.
0:44.8	Welcome to a word, a podcast about race and politics
0:47.6	and everything else.
0:48.6	I'm your host, Jason Johnson.
0:49.9	Every year we see the same story.
0:52.2	Great Black television shows and movies
	...

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