The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl by Issa Rae Read Free Book Online Page B

other shots in the future.
    In high school, I developed a new love: acting. I went to a predominantly black and Latino school in Compton and, outside of television, this was my first true immersion in black culture. I had an inspiring drama teacher, a Jewish man who found the most amazing, hidden plays of color. There was On Striver’s Row , a play about an upper-middle-class black family in Harlem. Maricela de la Luz Lights the World , a fanciful and mystical Latino drama by José Rivera. And so much more. Every year for four years I was introduced to new diverse works, all while working with a multicultural cast. I only wish Hollywood could take a lesson from Compton.
    The last great black film made in the nineties (released in April 2000) was Love & Basketball , a beautiful love story shot in my neighborhood. Even as I watched that movie at my friend’s sleepover, I was completely aware that it was shaping my mind and changing my life. It was the very first time I had seen a woman who was just “normal black” on-screen . Though Sanaa Lathan was absolutely beautiful, she played an around-the-way girl, a tomboy like me . I felt as if I could be her.
    So began my fixation. I watched the film again before I left my friend’s house, then set out to buy it on DVD. The ultimate game-changer for me was when I discovered that it was written and directed by a black woman, Gina Prince-Bythewood. I had never cared to listen to a DVD commentary for any other film prior, but I listened as she discussed the behind-the-scenes trials of making her film. I listened as she discussed Spike Lee’s involvement and was inspired and grateful that he had played a role in making this film happen. Most important, I set out to write my own movie, Judged Cover.
    While I was writing the screenplay, I realized it was five years since I had written anything original. I found the letters I wroteto CBS and NBC and decided to write to Gina Prince-Bythewood. Maybe she would have interest in my screenplay? How amazing would it be if she directed it? I grew excited. I typed her a letter and to this day I don’t remember how or where I got her address. I wrote her about how much I loved the film, how much it inspired me, how I watched it every day for inspiration (I really did), and then I told her about Judged Cover and asked her if she would consider directing it. I didn’t send her the script, because I hadn’t finished it, and knew that was inappropriate to do so without solicitation. I waited.
    The summer came upon us and I prepared to go to Dakar, Senegal, for the first time in five years. I checked my email the week before we left and gasped, ecstatically. She had written back! I still have the email from 2001:
    Jo-Issa,
    Thank you so much for your letter. It means a lot that Love and Basketball is your favorite movie! Much props to you for having a completed screenplay at sixteen. I didn’t start writing scripts until I was in college. You definitely seem focused and know where you’re going. I am flattered that you thought of me to direct your script, unfortunately, I am pretty much tied up for the next couple years with my own scripts. After directing “Disappearing Acts,” which I didn’t write, I realized I feel much more fulfilled as an artist when I direct scripts I have written myself, like “Love and Basketball.” This does not mean I will never direct another script I or my husband has written, however, for now that is what I am focused on. That, and my new son. :) But again, thank you so much for thinking of me and good luck in all your endeavors.
    Sincerely,
    Gina Prince-Bythewood
    It was the perfect encouragement I needed to take my script with me on my trip abroad. I impressed my Senegalese cousins with my index note cards and my printed pages, which I wrote during our many moments of humid boredom. I was going to be the screenwriter and star of my very own movie!
    Except I never finished the script. I kept writing and