004: The DuVernay Test
In today's article, I am starting a series on how to breakdown and recognize bias in the performing arts. Also, this week's Black business owner is florist and confection maker, Christa. VDAY READY!!
For this week’s article, I’m giving all of you a simple tool to start recognizing when a film, tv show, play or any other piece of entertainment is biased against people of color. It’s called the “DuVernay Test.” There’s some history that goes along with this so let’s skip the small talk, not-Shayna, and just dive in.
Before there was the DuVernay Test there was the Bechel-Wallace Test.
“What is that?”
Oh thank Black socialist Jesus that you asked, not-Shayna!
To put it simply, the Brechel-Wallace test started off as a comic strip, from the series Dykes To Watch Out For, created by Alison Bretchel in 1985. That piece then became a measure for sexism in the film industry. The test has 3 parts:
Does the movie have at least 2 women in it?
Do they talk to each other?
When they do, are they talking about a man?
To pass the test, you must answer “yes” to all three parts. If this test is new to you then take a second and think about the most recent movie or show you’ve watched. What was it? Does it pass the test? If it does, does it just barely pass it?
There is a critical point that this test is missing though: race. That is where the DuVernay test comes in. Now the queen-goddess Ava does not have the high Leo energy to name a test about racial bias after herself. I wish she would but that is a me-problem. The test was technically named by Manohla Dargis in the NYT article, Sundance Fights Tide With Films Like ‘The Birth of a Nation’. The elements of the test were broken down into 5 parts by Nadia Latif and Leila Latif from The Guardian. Honestly I found this breakdown of their work on wiki and it just makes sense so imma just paste it here (aka, these numbered items are not my words):
“Are there two named characters of color?
Do they have dialogue?
Are they not romantically involved with one another?
Do they have any dialogue that isn't comforting or supporting a white character?
Is one of them definitely not a magical negro?”
If the show you saw passed this test then CONGRATS! You have seen a work that fully realizes Black and POC characters as well rounded individuals instead of as landscape for the white characters involved. This does not necessarily mean that the production is clear and free of racial bias, but it does point the viewer and filmmakers in the right direction.
Now think about the last movie/tv show/media piece you saw. Does it pass both of these tests? Does it only pass one? Does it pass neither? What do you think that says about the way in which cinematic and theatrical entertainment is made, produced and distributed? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this! Lmk in the comments!
Also
Noticing a problem is the first step to fixing it and, trust me, this is a BIG problem so look at it. Notice it. But not for too long because we need to get to work.
BLACK OWNED BUSINESS ALERT
So I’ve shortened this week’s video by half and I’m curious to know what you all think about that. But first, THIS IS CHRISTA!
She is a Brooklyn-based florist and confectionary maker who is also having a special on chocolate at her shop, the Hibiscus Flower Shop!! Check out her video and, if you are a paid subscriber than enjoy your $5 off discount for Valentine’s Day (and after Valentine’s Day, too, like she wasn’t holding back about that). And if you aren’t a paid subscriber then you might wanna hop on that.
Don’t forget to share this newsletter on social media, to your friends, family, strangers, casting directors in the middle of your auditions, you know, the works.
You know what? Maybe I just need a nap but I am feeling generous (and cautiously optimistic) with this impending Trump Impeachment soooo if you share this newsletter with someone who then subscribes, I will give you a discount code to the Black business owner of your choosing! This only counts for the business owners I have interviewed so far. Yep. I said it. Now please help my Black History Month wish come true: to have 100 subscribers by March!
WE CAN DO IT!
P.S. - I was getting real close to burnout this past week so, from today on, I will be doing 1 Black Owned Business interview every 2 weeks instead of every week. I’m learning that I’d rather do a few things well then many things tolerably.