NORFOLK, VA—Gathering their children for what they described as a difficult but important discussion that every family like theirs must have, local white conservative parents Brian and Marie Fortner sat their son and daughter down for a tough conversation about seeing a Black character in a movie.
“America is a complicated place, and unfortunately, this is something that happens in our country on a regular basis. Though Black people are usually still relegated to supporting roles, sometimes they are given parts that could just have easily been given to a white person. It’s awful, but it happens. And while we’ll do everything we can to protect you, we need you to be prepared for that moment when a Black man appears on the screen and he isn’t just there for comic relief.