Hi, how are you? Lousy? Because everything is a bit off kilter at the moment? Me too. Remember, crying less than five times per day is a win, and you’re probably doing really well, all things considered.

Coming off of my last post regarding white allies making themselves aware of – and feeling truly connected to, really seeing – how Black artistry is demeaned, cast aside, or “sanitized,” there have been some really cool things I’ve become aware of since I published it that I think pertain to that. It was weird writing that last post because I felt like I didn’t have a whole lot of places to “go,” but here’s a bunch of stuff that I’ve collected since then that I hope is helpful to have in one place. Again: It can feel like you can only do so much as someone not in “the business,” but there really are things people can do in terms of their media consumption that can change their own perceptions (allies in thought/belief) for the better, setting them up to be better allies in action later on.

First, last week @netflixisajoke posted a video from Big Mouth writer Brandon Kyle Goodman in which he describes how Hollywood whitewashes popular film and television, and how standard ideas of diversity aren’t enough. Rather, take the time to actually assess what images of people of color or LGBTQ people you’re seeing; really look and assess your consumption, how the “average,” seemingly innocuous portrayals on popular work contribute to the white supremacist system. It’s short, succinct, and hitting, and I consider it a must-watch.

Netflix (and netflixisajoke) has made efforts to showcase Black artists you can check out on their platform – not just the most visible people like actors and comedians, but directors and writers as well. One such post points out the phenomenal Black writers behind some of your favorite episodes of your favorite series. Behind-the-scenes aspects of diversity are greatly influential on the final product, and our perceptions, but at the same time, the very nature of them makes it difficult for people to create the connections needed that increase audience’s recognition and appreciation of these artists.

Maybe people will rewatch them with new eyes, and maybe they won’t. But there’s always a starting point, and it’s usually at awareness.

Other big news from last week, also from Big Mouth, is that Jenny Slate will be stepping down from her role of Missy, a biracial character.

I’ve written about how much I love Big Mouth; I think it truly is one of the best shows out there, and one of the most important. Which, to me, makes it even more important that a show of that caliber practices what it preaches and dares to do better. I’ve always loved Jenny Slate a whole lot, and I’m not going to lie: I love her as Missy! But, then again, I have to admit that I did not even once think of Missy during all of my mental thought processes about Black actors and writers in Hollywood. See? Blind spots all the way around. It’s important for white allies to take the steps that Slate took, to really put their own wants and needs on the line. I said when all of the stuff with COVID happened that we were all going to realize what was really important, what really mattered; desires as a white person to have what you want at the expense of another actor’s career aren’t only not important right now, our choices can actively harm the Black community and social justice efforts. Hopefully, this inspires other white actors and artists to really examine their own roles and do the same or similar.

Brandon Kyle Goodman also commented on this, and has a video that goes more into detail about how white allies can support Black artists in Hollywood. Again: He’s a must follow if this is a topic that’s important to you (and I hope it is).

Going beyond changing perceptions, Patrisse Cullors-Brignac (one of the founders of Black Lives Matter and authors of When They Call You a Terrorist, an essential text that blew my mind when I read it and you should too) posted that an organization had been formed to hold Hollywood accountable for its relationship with the police, as well as outline demands for how the industry can support Black lives in its practices.

It is really, really important to read BLD PWR’s Letter to Allies. It succinctly describes the how Black voices are ignored and overall unrepresented throughout each and every step of filmmaking, in a way that I think is really difficult for average white allies to really comprehend. You can download the letter, as well as a toolkit including links to their graphics in order to get the word out on social media. Then, of course, donate, donate, donate.

Final thing for now: The Good Place‘s (woooooo great show) Bambadjan Bamba wrote an insightful piece for Variety about working in Hollywood as a DACA recipient, describing among other things how the very language of casting calls is discriminatory and limits opportunities for large groups of performers. Again: At the very least, white allies who consider themselves committed to sustaining equity efforts in entertainment industries in which they regularly take part need to educate themselves as to the many, many layers of exclusion limiting the voices of Black artists.

I’ll keep posting resources/places to spend money as I come across them. The thing is: I think I would legit crumble without television and movies and all other kinds of art, art, art. And Black artists in particular have influenced how I think and what I believe for the better. I can’t do a whole lot to amplify Black voices as a “regular person,” but I’ll do what I can. And I hope if you come across this, you do too. Because audiences have power, and making ourselves more aware of how to wield it effectively – maybe it’s naive, but I think it actually can make a difference long-term.