DEAR WHITE PEOPLE

DEAR WHITE PEOPLE, a satirical comedy, tells the narrative of four African-American students attending an Ivy League college, Winchester University, in the United States. The movie has some positive insights about current racial issues, including the idea that Americans today are overly sensitive and confused about how society views racial issues, but the movie’s worldview is still rather politically correct, with lots of strong foul language and other crude content.

The unforeseen election of Samantha White, a militant, Black Panther-like activist, as head of a traditionally black residence hall, Armstrong Parker House, initiates a culture war at the university that challenges traditional concepts of the meaning of being black. Samantha is famous for being the host of the confrontational radio show, “Dear White People.” She opposes the university’s move to “diversify” the black residence hall.

Troy Fairbanks, the former head of the house and son of the university’s dean, disobeys his father’s supercilious expectations by trying to become a staff member of Pastiche, the university’s significant humor magazine. Meanwhile, the “all-white student” newspaper recruits Lionel Higgins, an African-American geek who struggles with his sexuality to write about black culture, of which he hardly knows anything. Finally, Coco Conners, the aggressively assimilated pretty black girl, tries to use the racial controversy on campus to start up her reality television career.

No student, especially black students, at Winchester University is ready for Pastiche’s racially ignorant and intolerant annual Halloween party. The party’s controversial theme is “unleash your inner Negro” theme, adding fuel to the increasing fire of racial hostility. When the party erupts into utter chaos and a dangerous riot, everyone must choose a side.

DEAR WHITE PEOPLE has some positive insights about racial issues. For instance, it shows the confusion that all the different categories and stereotypes from both the left and the right have created. Also, the performances and cinematography are well done. However, the narrative structure and the movie’s overall worldview are not so wonderful. For example, it’s difficult to keep up with the narrative because at times it feels like the story is jumping all over the place. Thus, the story feels fragmented and the transitions between scenes are not always smooth. Also, although it does take some shots at some liberal canards, the movie definitely has a strong politically correct, liberal worldview. This is especially true in the movie’s depiction of the homosexual student.

DEAR WHITE PEOPLE also has lots of strong foul language, some sexual immorality and some substance abuse. Therefore, MOVIEGUIDE® finds DEAR WHITE PEOPLE unacceptable overall.