“American Fiction,” the movie – and life

Looking for a movie? “American Fiction” is great, in spite of the (non-gratuitous, in this case) foul language. It’s funny and if you’ll forgive me, “real” and “raw.”

How many of us experience stereotyping? What if everyone was afraid to talk about the subject – or worse, were offended?

Thelonius, “Monk,” is talented, from a cultured, educated & economically privileged background. A published author and university professor.
And he’s Black.
Monk is bothered more by stereotypes and the pressure to verify “lived Black experience” than by acts of (stereo)typical racial discrimination.

I know many of these people! I worry that I may be one.

The movie was recommended by my neighbor on the plane – someone I’m afraid that I was in danger of putting in the wrong box – a Black lady, older than I, wearing a mask. I’m so glad we started talking about her mask, her fear of COVID-19 (which she’s never had) and her travels around the world, which are wider than mine.

Since she took a nap, I’m glad I watched “American Fiction,” too.