“I myself fall prey to “blacking it up.” Whatever that means, and why do I have to do that to feel that I am authentic and valid. Maybe I do want to be seen as intelligent or feel powerful look sexy claim my space. Why is that a crime to some and a sell out to others. I celebrate my love my black skin but I’m longing for the day where the rest of the world can see it meaning as anything other than being present.”
For season three’s penultimate episode we talk with Jelani Alladin about originating the role of Kristoff in Frozen on Broadway, exploring identity through writing, and acknowledging an artist’s superpower to change the world.
Recommendation: “Friday Black” by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
Shout out: Every black artist who has been nominated for a Tony
Follow him on Twitter and Instagram.
Comments