2 chapters across the catalog
The 2008 election is characterized as a "reparations vote" where many voters sought to move past the historical narrative of slavery. The initial "high" of a post-racial America lasted until events like "Beer Gate" shifted the tone. There is a claim that Obama missed an opportunity in his second term to secure tangible benefits for the Black community, choosing instead to maintain a safe, non-threatening image.
Lena Waithe admits that Hollywood studios are primarily interested in the "jackpot" of commodifying black content for commerce. The hosts argue that films like Queen and Slim and 12 Years a Slave exploit both a victimization mentality in black audiences and "white guilt" in white audiences. They define this genre as the "racial thriller," which serves as a lucrative niche for studios.
