Dear Gene,Let me start with an apology. I’m redbirdford on Twitch. You totally read my post in the Twitch feed the wrong way. I absolutely do not think you guys are racists, or stupid. In fact, the reason I subscribed to your podcast back with Westworld is that you and Ashley in particular, seem to me to try to be as knowledgeable as possible, AND aware of your possible biases. Let me say, that I missed the very beginning of the Twitch, so when I joined all I heard was how people were calling you racists and that you shouldn’t do the podcast anymore. My comment that ‘perhaps you don’t get what they’re trying to do’ was meant only as a possible reason why you are not enjoying the show, not that you are stupid, or racists or whatever it was that set you off. I believe that not all art is meant for everyone, and not everyone is going to appreciate all art. So you don’t get this, that’s not an attack, I have a PhD in English and don’t get 18th century literature. Just not my thing. That said, I don’t think you can say that maybe you should stop doing all television shows, just because you’re getting some criticism for your views on this one. It’s one show, you’ve done others that people loved. As I said before, I was happy to see you doing Lovecraft Country after listening to your takes on Westworld. I’ve also enjoyed your thoughts on this show. You don’t have to be Black to appreciate the show, but it probably helps. There is so much Black culture, history, religion, just Black love, in each episode, that I believe even with Google and hours of homework on your part, you’re just never going to get it all. I’m a 58 year old queer Black woman and I don’t get it all, but I know that I’m the audience the showrunners had in mind when they created this. This is a rare find, and when it is criticized it can feel like a personal attack. With the country the way it is right now, there is so little to feel joyous about, don’t yuck our yum.?? One criticism, and this is only about your rant tonight and not the podcast as a whole. The height of privilege is getting angry when a Black person tells you that you don’t get Black art. Not everything is made for you, and I was simply trying to suggest that perhaps this is one of those things. Lovecraft Country (the show, not the novel) is Black art. The novel is Matt Ruff’s direct counter to H.P. Lovecraft’s racist views, but Misha Green’s show is Black art. You guys are used to analyzing and digging into these shows and movies, but there are some things that can’t be Googled. The Black experience is one of those. I don’t expect anyone who is not a Black woman to feel the joy, excitement, and appreciation of Black womanhood that was tonight’s episode. I hope that you and Ashley take this in the spirit it is intended, to try and give you a different perspective, not to invalidate yours. I hope you keep doing television show podcast, I do enjoy them (so much so I actually donated to you so you could keep doing what you do). Peace,Robin (Redbird)
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