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Despite the success of the box-office hit, “Get Out,” written and directed by “Key & Peele” star #JordanPeele, the film received slight criticism from actor Samuel L. Jackson, regarding the decision to cast a black British actor as lead.
The movie, which is described as a “social thriller,” followed the interracial relationship between Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) and Rose (Allison Williams). In the film, the couple takes a trip to meet Rose’s parents, but to Chris’ surprise, he discovers a horrific family secret. The film also subtly draws comparisons to the racial issues in America.
In an interview with Hot 97, Jackson expressed his opinion about the film’s casting, wondering what the movie would have been if a black American had the role as Chris.
“There are a lot of black British actors that work in this country. All the time,” he said. “I tend to wonder what would that movie have been with an American brother who really understands that in a way. Because Daniel grew up in a country where they’ve been interracial dating for a hundred years. Britain, there’s only about eight real white people left in Britain. … So what would a brother from America made of that role? I’m sure the director helped. Some things are universal, but everything ain’t.”
In turn, Daniel fired back, frustrated that he has to prove and defend his blackness by comparing his struggle based on the black struggle in America.
“When I’m around black people, I’m made to feel ‘other’ because I’m dark-skinned,” he said. “I’ve had to wrestle with that, with people going ‘You’re too black.’ Then I come to America, and they say, ‘You’re not black enough.’ I go to Uganda, I can’t speak the language. In India, I’m black. In the black community, I’m dark-skinned. In America, I’m British. Bro!”
“I really respect African-American people. I just want to tell black stories,” he continued. “This is the frustrating thing, bro. In order to prove that I can play this role, I have to open up about the trauma that I’ve experienced as a black person. I have to show off my struggle so that people accept that I’m black. No matter that every single room I go to, I’m usually the darkest person there. You know what I’m saying? I kind of resent that mentality. I’m just an individual.”
“I see black people as one man… I resent that I have to prove that I’m black. I don’t know what that is. I’m still processing it.”
I FEEL stress. Sometimes i look about me and think…jesus, what is going on with the human race!? Everything is getting so convoluted.
American and British black people have different histories. In fact the Black American story is in of itself very different from any other black narrative. I think both these talented, hard working, bright men make a good point. And both should be equally taken into account.
I’m currently at university in the UK and have found myself to be not only one of the few black people, but also one of the few (less than black ppl) working class people. I have befriended the only other working class (lower middle class) person, a white woman, and we are each others only friends in a sea of naive middle class folk. What has been eye opening to me is the depth of convolutions we are in. Here i am amidst liberal, vegan, feminist, anti racist people. And yet. The only person i feel safe with is a working class lass whos dad voted brexit. Its genuinely got me thinking about class and race. And how i internally yearn for working class white people to not be so racist so we could untie and overthrow neo liberal bs. My friend and i joke secretly about the tired white-middle class suffragette act and we genuinely find each other safe places in a sea of ppl who have never struggled..who have never had parents who had to scrimp or sign on or use social housing or take on 3 menial jobs at a time leaving us alone. But in the back of my head…as things go..as much as i know our frienship is authentic and beautiful (and life saving) it is also rare and i know sadly a lot of working class white ppl r racist too. But it’s middle class liberal whites who gentrify poorer areas. Its them who vote hillary under the pretense of being non racist and anti trump. They are not anti trump-they are PRO Hillary. And the lady is anti black. Fact.
Colourism exists and its very real. I think African Americans have beautifully taught us that blackness isn’t about how light or dark of a black we are, from David Lemieux to Lupita-Black is black. But the fact remains that if you are lighter society treats you better including our own and if we want to prosper that mentality has to go. I think these two men are great. I truly think they’re great men and I feel proud of them. I hope humanity can learn to stop manipulating and abusing each other.