There was a time when a studio executive would really love something and have no proof at all that it would work and just do it because they believed in it. That’s how ‘Star Wars’ happened. Justin Simien Read Quote
I know it’s ‘Dear White People,’ and you can imprint all kinds of concessions about what the show might be about on the title, but my goal was never to, like, educate white people. My goal was always to create characters that you can relate to and fall in love with. Justin Simien Read Quote
Here’s the thing: I come from a filmmaking background, so this concept of sort of overseeing a television show but not directing was, in general, not weird, but I had to get used to what that felt like. My initial instinct was, ‘I want to direct as much of this as possible.’ But the logistics of making of TV, that’s just not possible. Justin Simien Read Quote
Part of my struggle with being gay was that a lot of my homophobia was internalized because of the cues that I was – received. I didn’t see anybody like myself in the culture. RuPaul was the closest to a gay, out black man that I had growing up. Justin Simien Read Quote
I tend to take on too many projects at the same time, but as I’ve always done, I will continue to shift my focus onto whatever feels most urgent in the moment. Justin Simien Read Quote
You know what, man, that’s part and parcel of being a black person in this country: everything’s harder. It just is. Justin Simien Read Quote
The further away you get from being a straight white man, the less freedoms you have to figure out who you are and negotiate what you mean to society. Justin Simien Read Quote
I don’t doubt that straight white men have identity issues and identity complexes and struggle with defining themselves. Justin Simien Read Quote
I find myself listening to Blood Orange and Janelle Monae and artists like that. Justin Simien Read Quote
