prozach92

I resent the idea that insanity is heralded as a virtue. When creating from such a place it is simply inflicting one’s own trauma on the rest of the world. That’s not to say art cannot or should not engage with brutal realities and trauma, but to say somehow mental illness is inherently virtuous is just flat out wrong. It’s an injustice because we’ve been thrown into a broken world and pain has been inflicted upon us to make us insane. I think having a conversation about authenticity is a worthy endeavor and, as artists, ought to be had every morning before our feet hit the floor. And I agree that it’s quite depressing to see corporate homogeneous nonsense win out in many cases over art. It’s painful, really. But, coming from a place of having experienced not seeing myself represented in film except as a punch line or an antagonist, I’m not against giving my people more opportunities. Because if you heard some of the stories my people have, the things we’ve seen, what we’ve been through, you’d be amazed that we’re even alive. So perhaps in reality you’re wanting to hear our stories and just don’t know it yet.