To Improve Black Representation In Film, More Opportunities Are Needed For Black Creators

By Charity Nebbe,

Published November 2, 2020 at 3:48 PM CST

ISU associate professor Novotony Lawrence explores how the film industry has handled Black narratives in his upcoming lecture “White Mansions, Black Bodies: Jordan Peele’s Get Out and the New Age Slave Plantation.”

Hollywood has received a lot of well-deserved criticism for its lack of diversity and representation of African Americans on the big screen. When representation of Black lives is brought to cinema, it too often misses the mark. Especially when designed by white creators.

On this episode of Talk of Iowa, host Charity Nebbe is joined by Iowa State University associate professor Novotny Lawrence for a conversation about Black representation and inclusion in film — both behind the camera and in front.

Lawrence will explore how the film industry influences social issues in the upcoming lecture “White Mansions, Black Bodies: Jordan Peele’s Get Out and the New Age Slave Plantation.” The lecture, part of Iowa State University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean’s Lecture Series, will be virtual and open to the public at 6:00 pm on Thursday, November 5th.

Guest:

Novotny Lawrence, associate professor in the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication and English departments at Iowa State University.