“OUR SKIN COLOUR IS NOT A WEAPON” Exploring interpretations of black identity in the series Dear White People

Recent years have seen an increase in black and other minority representation on film and television. Critical and commercial successes of minority-led content, such as Black Panther (2018) and Atlanta (2016-), indicate that the world and the American entertainment industries are changing. Progress is being made in terms of diversity and inclusivity. Paradoxically, content with non-traditional leads (e.g. black, female, homosexual) is experiencing increasing levels of hatred, online trolling, and backlash from certain people. The acclaimed Netflix show Dear White People (2017-), one target of said hostility, tackles the current antagonistic climate with biting satire whilst boasting a truly diverse representation of blackness. The series addresses sensitive topics such as race relations, discrimination, and black minority experiences. Responses and interpretations of the show are bound to differ as variations in experience, knowledge, and cultural capital affect the meaning-making processes of audiences. The greater the variations, the larger the differences in interpretations as is evident from the widely diverging reactions to the show. To gain more understanding of these conflicting responses, this study explores the meaning-making processes of white, black, and other minority audiences in relation to the show. Thus, the research question is: How do audiences respond to and interpret the representation of black identity in the series Dear White People (2017-)? The study is conducted in the Netherlands. As such, it adds a unique contribution to academia since most representation literature focuses on countries like the United States of America and the United Kingdom. Moreover, the country's rich ethnic and cultural diversity ensures that the show's themes resonate with its citizens. The research employs qualitative research techniques. Focus groups and interviews are used to collect the data. Hereafter, thematic content analysis is executed with the help of ATLAS.ti. The analysis reveals that the three groups' (i.e. white, black, and other minority) responses and interpretations differ quite clearly. Most black persons empathise with the black characters and their experiences. Other minority persons also relate, to a great extent, with the black characters' journeys. White persons are more mixed: most respond sympathetically. None, however, can relate to the black characters. Some white persons also misinterpret the series' message. However, white persons that have seen the whole show display more awareness and understanding of issues such as discrimination. As such, the findings indicate that the series holds potential in cultivating more support and compassion for problems plaguing black and other minority communities. The results also indicate that the series can boost the confidence of persons from said communities.