LINK TO ARTICLE: http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-40569406
Ms.
Jumbo needs to sit with a Black American veteran of “the business” who
can help her see the “real”. I suggest she learn something about the
quirky nature of many in the American film business who undervalue
talents of historically steeped-in-Black American Culture, homegrown
Black actors—in favor of “something else”.
Ironic
that Ms. Jumbo complains of being “undervalued” in her native Britain
for being “Black”, while blindly(and ignorantly/wrongly) undervaluing
the talent of Black American actors she is given “quirky” preference
over. Some of whom, I KNOW, are better suited for some roles based
on—if nothing else, deep understanding of the nuances of being a
generations-deep “historical Black” in America. I’ve seen Ms.
Jumbo—she's talented, no doubt. But she's got nothin' on Angela Bassett(talk about an under-utilized talent)... and a whole bunch of other "Native" Black American actresses.
I would even go so far as to suggest there
are many—who can portray Black American women with far more
“authenticity” than you, Ms Jumbo. Same with Black American men
actors. I’ve seen guys come through auditions who are far more dynamic,
commanding, charismatic—and just as well-trained—as some of the British
fellows who’ve gotten preference via the “quirkies”.
And
then there is the “business” side belief that foreign distribution
might be better served by having “foreigners” in place of “Americans”;
particularly “Black” Americans.
Have some respect. There's work for you because a lot of folks you dissed have worked over generations to "create" opportunities. Opportunities you, apparently, do not have in your native Britain.