Hollywood’s Problem with Biopics: Why They Keep Getting It Wrong

[@StellarAvenger]

I just wanna say in regards to the Nina Simone biopic to get Zoe Saldana, someone who has gone on record saying she doesn't claim her blackness playing someone who loved their blackness is crazy to me.

[@frankmerlino336]

"I'M NOT BLACK, I'M DOMINICAN"

[@Salmoninyourrice]

And she stood 10 toes down about playing the role in spite of the major backlash she received years before it was even made.

[@brittanywilson9200]

You’re videos are so well made. I think at times ppl in marginalized groups forget that collectivism, or individualism is how we have historically been able to survive. I also am in love with how you are able to discuss the topics in your videos with so much nuance; acknowledging your connections and resonance with James Baldwin while also critiquing his politics at times

[@estrellagarciazamora8721]

We should not equate intelligence with any accent.

[@aaronholloway6060]

It would be best if you read the entire memoir. I can relate to some of Mr. Porter’s experiences and respect them. I also had the pleasure of meeting him. That being said, public-facing, I hold some political views that are likely more radical and to the left of his. I am a humanist and pro-Palestinian. I drew what lessons I could from him and Mr. Baldwin, and I am running my race with grace and confidence. I greatly appreciate you and your content. I found you via Olurinatti.

[@ottabee]

Whew! Thank-you so much for creating this video and ALL the information you shared. You are hilarious, intelligent, beautiful, unique, and GREATLY needed. I'm thankful my feed showed your video because now I'm excited to explore your channel. I require food that nurtures my mind, body, and soul.

[@indigostreaks5522]

being in the theatrical circles especially some with connection with Billy Porter I reflect on many things mentioned. In the entertainment industry there is such a strong sense that working in theatre is a "privilege". This is used especially on those of us with marginalized status when we are subjected to abuse. There is also this tradition to celebrate queerness and "diversity" but only when it is palatable. That's how we may see more "diversity" in theatre while behind the scenes cycles of abuse continue and evolve. all these things and more are things one must be careful not to mention though. or else. you are "ungrateful" "disruptive" etc. reputation is a currency and to be seen as subversive or to challenge the status quo is met with a silent violence that tanks one's career.

[@moof101]

hello! new to your channel but if you do unpack black zionists, please include ethiopian israelis in the conversation! there's a lot of complexity that comes with their experience and i see it in the way that my cousins there have reacted in what has been going on. lovely video :)

[@averymatta7595]

Pittsburgh native here, so I’ve always known about Billy Porter and no one can deny he is insanely talented. Still I learned so much I hadn’t known previously. Fantastic video! I loved your points and your voice, you definitely earned a new subscriber!!!

[@rayahlightchannel]

loved this! your channel populated on my feed after binging black video essayists on cultural and political topics. i'm so grateful because your work is high quality and needed in these times of normalized misinformation. i was disappointed by the casting of billy porter in the baldwin biopic because he doesn't seem to have the depth of character or understanding of baldwin's values to portray him with nuance and multidimensionality. on one hand i feel for billy because of how much he's suffered as a queer black man but on the other i tend to agree with your notion of this weaponization of trauma to barricade himself from criticism for his questionable comments on the genocide in Palestine. celebrities should not be required to "do more" in terms of activism and standing up for the oppressed, but if they choose to share these cringey ass views in a public forum then criticism should be expected. the least billy could do is actually educate himself on the issue. admitting your ignorance and demonstrating a willingness to empathize with the plight of the Palestinian people would give me hope that he isn't just another weird out-of-touch rich guy with an over-inflated ego. thank you for your content and i'm looking forward to ordering and reading your new book!

[@PrinceShakurYoutube]

Thank you for your thoughts. I always think the masses can and should determine what we want to consume, not the elite

[@almondmilkcarton2478]

I really appreciate your videos because you're able to speak about so so much and connect every topic/subtopic together so well. It makes me want to learn more and dig deeper!

[@PrinceShakurYoutube]

Wow, thank you!

[@nashley2867]

Love your mind, voice and perspective.

[@PrinceShakurYoutube]

Thank you ♥️

[@ownyoursxtaylormorganne8551]

I think Porter is doing the best he knows but if he is going to be vocal on a matter her should be intentional about being informed

[@dmcginnis1000]

Thank you for this video…I found the biopic framing of it very important. There are people I look up to, people I know and some I don’t, that mean a lot to me…but I hold on to the fact that they are not perfect (just as I am not) and following their steps as if they were will only lead me to walking in a circle. Normalizing the humanity of those who have made a positive impact on others is the only way forward…so let’s axe the biopic genre.

[@nwadi6408]

Thank you for providing such intelligently nuanced and provocative critiques. Just brilliant, brother. Would love to know which books you’re currently reading.

[@cookiesncreme05]

wow! thank you so much for sharing your research, knowledge, and perspective with us. i really appreciate the time you have taken to portray james baldwin in his complexities. i am excited to go through more of your work!

[@PrinceShakurYoutube]

My pleasure!

[@FinntasticMrFox]

I clicked so fast. Really appreciate your thoughts on this. 💙

[@Did.You.Forget]

God… you’re amazing. I’ve been waiting for this vid. Your take is very informative.

[@PrinceShakurYoutube]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Mischa1917]

17:11 so so so beautifully said.

[@roughneckjihad1003]

Blown away by your analysis! Thank you

[@6ViolinRed]

I’m going in chronological order so I’m on Baldwin’s 4th book of essays. You do make me curious about how the later years are looking like. Looking forward to August.

[@sixtyblackmystictraveler]

Thank you for such well thought out perspectives for us to consider 🙏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@PrinceShakurYoutube]

Any time!

[@sikmunkee]

been waiting for this one since you asked bout the thumbnail :)

[@woobiefuntime]

It doesn't hurt but they are ultimately storys that introduce people to individuals.

[@olivercetus6956]

The comment from his mom about how Jesus was crucified and he’d be fine is crazyyyy 💀💀💀💀💀 omg

[@MinkytheMinkY]

You can't play clairvoyance, you either are or you're not, and no amount of paying your dues will get you there. Certainly not, if your story is about beating the odds and signing me-me-me, this is counter to the one and only and his message.

[@pablor.6857]

so insightful as always

[@masondarden2423]

Good vid

[@merelymayhem]

great video ! so comprehensive

[@PrinceShakurYoutube]

Thank you

[@teeayteeayetc]

Ya know that article about human rights could have been an article interest convergence and the falsity of human rights under capitalism but it really just went in the wildest possible direction.

[@Investigator86]

Thank you

[@elsiemon]

Love the videos, they're so well done

[@anjelicaa7738]

🖤🖤🖤

[@Ramonesaehs]

I won't watch it. If it's not a documentary I know Hollywood will bastardize it.

[@lindseymichelle5467]

Great essay! 🫶🏾

[@MoeMa4]

Thank you for this video 🔥🔥

[@PrinceShakurYoutube]

Glad to talk about these topics

[@Arron413]

It would be helpful if you could discuss at length the prevailing 20th-century mindset that animated James Baldwin's theories. That mindset was imposed on him and others by Baldwin's generation. Yes, it is terribly easy to lodge criticisms retrospectively. However, such criticism lends itself to lazy scholarship.

[@PrinceShakurYoutube]

Can't explain everything in one video. Maybe you should make one too

[@Arron413]

@PrinceShakurKZbin You really need to find out how best to incorporate that precious gem in your discussion. Exert the same amount of effort that you use when you repeatedly ad nauseam associate Baldwin's outlook with misogynistic views.

[@squarebear619]

Eh, the fact that he equates intelligence with whteness and speaking the "queen's" english is exactly what Blck folks mean when they call it out because it is steeped in Antiblckness. Standard doesn't mean intelligence nor correct, linguistically speaking. We all know about code switching but some like Porter think that by never turning off the code switching that it makes them better when it truly shows how much he is suffering with Post Traumatic Slave/Colonization Syndrome. We also need to realize that all skinfolk aren't kinfolk and that there are a lot of Blck folks like Clarence Thomas and Porter. I also believe that a whte propaganda system like Hollywood will never truly represent anything good for Blck and PoC because it was never meant to since its inception. Baldwin is also a product of his time. I enjoy his debate with Dr Frances Cress Welsing and her other debates with Blck male laureates.

[@relaxedbro]

👍🏿👍🏿

[@valuelight]

NOT HUEEEYYY!!! NOOOOO!!!

[@agenderfeller]

"What are the ways I can be more aligned with liberation?" Thank you for the new mantra!

[@willyoubeardforme2306]

I don't understand why a gay person would or should have to support or sympathize with a country that actively harms them? Palestinians have made it very clear what they think about gay people.

[@eanweslynn7840]

9:37 you got me on here defending Uncle Billy. Whether you like him or not only reading three chapters, giggling at his trauma is bad enough. leaving it in the edit is mean girl ish. Are you a writer or a talker? This is your sign to go back to putting in your 10k hours

[@PrinceShakurYoutube]

You're misinterpreting a lot but assume whatever you want

[@PrinceShakurYoutube]

Oh wait. Im a published author

[@cierraking7953]

Uncle billy? It’s giving parasocial.

[@thomas-ol3ni]

What is the A for. James Baldwin is gay im disappointed.

[@Maude-ru7sv]

The alphabet soup we have now didn't exist for quite some time. I'm bi ,not queer which I also dislike. I think things started going downhill for LGB folks when we ler all the other letters join. My trans cousin's addressed their gender expression not sexuality. Please stop craming us all into the umbrella that causes more problems

[@PrinceShakurYoutube]

So exclude people not like you?

[@willyoubeardforme2306]

Therein lies the problem. The TQ+ are antithetical to the gay identity. When a hetero woman can declare herself a gay man and a hetero man can call himself a lesbian, this isn't "inclusion," it's colonisation.

[@cottonhairedaesthetic2005]

He was in that movie with that little racist girl. I stopped liking him, sorry