Analysis Of The Netflix Show 'Dear White People'

859 Words4 Pages

The Netflix show “Dear White People” episode 1 begins with a narration satire of the Winchester University’s social and racial landscape read by an “ethic, but non-threatening” sounding man. The narrator describes the covert racism of a blackface party held by one of the school’s fraternities and the pro-black people who crash in to stop this egregious party. This sequence of event is significant in the context of the whole episode and entire series because it reveals the racial diversity in Winchester University and common stereotypes made against black people who attend the school, hence the title of show. The female protagonist, Samantha White, makes it her mission to address said white people on their ignorance and covert and/or overt racist views through her platform that is the school’s radio station, with her show called “Dear White People” of course. …show more content…

It takes elements of pioneer Director Spike Lee’s “She’s Gotta Have It” film for its unique chapter splits, meaningful b-roll placement, and intentional breaking of the 180-degree rule. The show uses split style editing framed with a white line boarder and school logo indicating either a location, a group, or time. The B-roll shown in Samantha White’s room when she’s having sex shows different African-American archives, which further gives the implicit essences of her pro-blackness. The show often approves of medium close-up, side and front profile shot often in dialogue between two characters that particularly either have a close or awkward relationship