Netflix series ‘Dear White People’ is a show which tackles racial and social injustice, cultural bias, and activism. Lionsgate, the production company, has been called out by a cast member for racial discrimination.
Jeremy Tardy, a recurring cast member, shared a lengthy post on Facebook, addressing his departure from the series “due to [his] experience with Lionsgate and their practices of racial discrimination.”
Lionsgate argues that Tardy’s exit was due to “purely financial negotiations.”
According to his Facebook post, Tardy was asked to return to the show for the fourth and final season, but his negotiations for a better deal was denied.
Tardy writes, “my team was notified that our counter offer would not be considered and that the initial offer was the ‘best and final.’ This news was disturbing because one of my white colleagues — being a true ally — revealed that they, too, had received the same initial offer and had successfully negotiated a counter offer.”
To protest, six other recurring cast members joined Tardy and collectively passed on their initial offers. They were looking to negotiate a better deal as a group. This strategy eventually backfired when members started making side deals with the studio.
In his Facebook post, Tardy questions both Lionsgate and Netflix’s support for the Black Lives Matter Movement as both companies have recently donated and released statements regarding the issue.
“I am calling out their shameful practices of discrimination and racial inequality with regard to how they have historically undervalued and lowballed people of color,” he wrote. “Politically correct lip service and symbolic gestures do not absolve you of the daily responsibility of doing business in a fair and equitable manner. The fact that this has occurred behind the scenes of a show which purports to address systemic issues of racism and discrimination displays the very epitome of hypocrisy. Lionsgate. Netflix. I see you. We see you.”
Lionsgate addressed Tardy’s claims in a statement, stating his decision was rooted in financial negotiations.
“Lionsgate is committed to equal treatment for all talent regardless of race, gender, age, or sexual orientation. We are very proud of Dear White People, and its place in the national conversation about racial equality and social justice, and we look forward to beginning production on its 4th season.”
Tardy has been written off the show for its final season.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10223396446557026&id=1162742450
