“I have a dream that my four little children will one day
live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color
of their skin but by the content of their character.”
–Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
28 August, 1963
I love that quote.
If stated today, Dr. King may have spoken, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, their gender, their age, their sexual preference, or the religion they practice.”
And, while either quote, regrettably, is still but a dream today, neither should be interpreted that that which makes us different should be entirely ignored. In an ideal world, we would celebrate our differences and recognize each individual’s unique gifts, talents and cultural experiences.”
We do not live in an ideal world.
Discrimination exists. And divides. Nowhere is that more evident than in the entertainment industry. We “artists and creatives” are too often judged first (and sometimes exclusively) based on our political stance. Gender, age, religion, sexual preference and race still factor in. It’s simply that on the issue of color, black or white or brown has been supplanted by red or blue as to who gets the part, the position, the deal.
As a person, I want to be judged by the content of my character. As a screenwriter, I want to be judged by the content of my characters. I want my stories and my structure to carry more weight than the date on my driver’s license or what god, if any, I believe in.
I have a dream. In my dream, audiences don’t judge me; they judge my work. I am found guilty of making them laugh hysterically, sob uncontrollably, and jump out of their seats in fright. In my dream, I am happy.
