Web Series Wednesday – BlackStage UK

By: Spring Marie Cullen

BY: Gabrielle Brooks

WHY SHOULD I WATCH?

BlackStage UK is a brand-new documentary style web series that sheds light on racial injustices experienced by Black artists in the UK’s creative and entertainment industries. Each episode touches base on a different topic, including the effects they have on Black artists and in the community as a whole. Through personal accounts, BlackStage UK starts an important open and honest dialogue, and they’re conversations that need to be had.

The series starts off with an episode on microaggressions and assumptions. Stage manager Constance Oak sums it up perfectly, dubbing microaggressions the most palatable form of displaying your fear, yet only palatable in the eyes of those who are using them. Despite the name, microaggressions have a huge impact and they’re something that people of color experience from extremely young ages that follow them throughout every course of their life. The conversation develops into assumptions and other negative things that are directly related to the industry; the buzz words that come up in auditions – words like “sassy,” “urban” or even “ghetto” and how detrimental these things can be to Black creatives.

One of the later episodes focuses on repercussions the interviewees have faced after speaking out and the debate to stay quiet in fear of them. Natalie Rose brings up a great point about seeing others suffer from gaslighting after they speak up or how they’re forced to endure an interrogation to prove what they think is racist is actually racist. Excuses are thrown around endlessly and the victims are often to blame for being “too sensitive” or too critical when really they’re trying to hold their co-workers and acquaintances accountable. The discussion touches base on how things have changed post 2020, after the death of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. Actress Sherise Blackman gives a passionate speech about how she’ll no longer just go along with things and accept prejudice because that’s the way it’s always been. She’s not going to go back to ignoring it, she vows to invoke and force change and support other Black people to raise them up and seriously try to make a difference. The entire episode highlights the importance of following through and taking action rather than only talking about it.

If you’re in the industry, this is a series you absolutely need to watch. Whether you’re someone who’s experienced these injustices personally or someone who simply wants to do better so you aren’t contributing, Blackstage UK is must see. The interviews are raw and real and you can tell how committed they are to staying true to themselves and their truths. I haven’t seen personal accounts from actors, creators and artists this candid and heartfelt and I’m so grateful Gabrielle Brooks brought this series to life.

WHERE CAN I WATCH? Episodes are available on YouTube.

Follow on Social Media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BLACKSTAGEUK

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackstageuk/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BLACKSTAGEUK

Website: https://blackstageuk.com/