Hey, My Loves.
Let’s talk about Mo’Nique’s credentials Make yourself comfortable,thispartcouldtakeaminute TosayMo’Niqueisa decorated comedian is an understatement For 5 years she helped change the face of black women on tv with her own series
Ms Parker was funny, independent, brash, ambitious, and unapologeticaboutallofit Shebrokerepresentationbarriersfor allwomen Andasacomedianpavedanentirelynewwayfor Black women in comedy to take up space But for some that wasn’tenoughtoprovehermeritasanindustrylegendsoI’llgo on Queens of comedy was ground-breaking and wildly successful
Tours-check ✔
Majorfeaturefilms-check ✔
From Black Blockbusters like Soul Plane to hard-hitting award winnerslikePreciousandBessie,Mo’Niquehasproventhatshe can attract and please a crowd More importantly, she triumphed as an artists in an industry that puts an expiration dateonwomensworth
Still, her audience, accomplishments and accolades did not protectherfromNetflix'sblatantmisogynoir
NetflixhadnoproblemsrevivingDaveChapellescareerwithan expensive, well-produced special, despite having no recent proofofthenumbershecoulddo Theyalsodidn'thesitateto cut Amy Schumer a check despite failing in a major role and beingamuchlessexperiencedactress
So why would a seasoned artist like MoNique be content with beingpubliclylowballed?Whywouldweasaculturecondone thisindustryprecedentofdevaluingBlackwomen'sart?
TheexploitativepracticesinHollywooddidn'tstartandwon'tend withMo’Nique Butthissituationdoesofferusamomenttoselfreflect Itstimewemakerealeffortstostandwiththeartistswho attempt to change the norms that are holding us all back insteadofbeingsoquicktotelleachothertofallinline
IwantustodobetterbecauseI#loveusforreal