Dear cast of ‘Its Sunny in Philadelphia,’
I used to be a huge fan. I had an ex-girlfriend from Philadelphia that showed me your series. I watched around 5 episodes and loved each and every one of them. However, I no longer can respect your show. After seeing the beginning of one of your newest episodes “The Gang Turns Black,” I turned off the television. Being a black man, watching this episode made me furious and frightened. Maybe because the main characters are white men and women, it may be difficult for you to understand why a person of color may have issue with this episode.
Here is why:
Making fun of innocent black men being arrested is not acceptable. When I saw the “gang” being arrested and singing a song in the back of the police car, I immediately turned my attention elsewhere. While you may think it is something funny, it is the black communities worst nightmare. With the uprising of police brutality all over the United States, black families are afraid of their children walking the streets with police officers. On numerous occasions, my mother has told me she is scared when I am out late because the possibility of a police officer making the same actions (arresting innocent black men) that you make fun of in your show. Not only do you make fun of the idea of being arrested, but also being shot by police. It has me question, what were your beliefs on the innocent shootings that have happened over the summer. Was your cast supportive of justice or trying to find new material for your show. It frustrates me that the idea of an innocent black man or woman being shot is funny to you.
Now I know there are more appropriate places to discuss politics than RESPECT. magazine’s editorial page. But I feel it is necessary. The reason why this frightens me is because this makes my idea of “Trumps America” a reality. Throughout the election, I listened to most of Donald Trump’s speeches. While his policies were not my cup of tea, I do not debate whether they will or will not work. I am not a huge fan of politics and only know the basics. However, the reason why I was alarmed by Trump’s campaign is beyond policies and economics. It’s his personality. With Donald Trump’s blunt character, on numerous occasions, he stated a lot of racist, sexist, homophobic, etc. comments. With these blatant comments, it scares me that he still won the presidency. In my eyes, this shows America is ok with a outright comments filled with hatred. This episode of “It’s Sunny in Philadelphia” made my biggest fear come true. Witnessing black community nightmares being ridiculed made me realize that we have not progressed in the world. It proves that when we say comments along the lines of we are headed in a positive direction with certain issues in the United States, it is just words. It proves to me that I have lost hope in this country in terms of making sure my mom is ok with me leaving the house without being nervous of a police encountering. All because you guys think it is funny.
With all of this being said, I refuse to watch your show anymore. I have lost tremendous respect for the show and your cast.
Sincerely yours,
A Black Man
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lmao