Sara Canning Instagram – Definitely, definitely click the link in @rukiya.bernard’s bio and read this piece shared via @yvrscreenscene (especially if you’re white and work in the film industry. But if you work nowhere near a film set, you should still read it.) Thank you Rukiya! Repost from @rukiya.bernard • An opinion piece I wrote for @yvrscreenscene about racism in the film and TV industry how it’s linked to the violence black people experience. It’s personal and I think we all can relate. Here’s an excerpt. LINK IN BIO. Share on your page and/or story if you think it’s important. Your attention is much appreciated. Dear Becky, It’s me: your Black Best Friend Forever in every rom-com movie. You know, the sassy, funny, “urban” friend? The one intent on helping you find love but doesn’t have a storyline of her own? Hi! We need to talk. I’m not happy with the way things are going. I haven’t been for a while. I’m angry, I’m tired, and things need to change. We’ve been friends for a long time. I’ve always been there for you. I was there when Jake dumped you at the start of the movie. I was there for you in act two, when your boss was being really mean and you had that big presentation. And I was there for you at the end of the movie when you fell in love with Steve, got the dream job, and the happily-ever-after. But do you ever wonder what happened to me? The truth is, it hasn’t been all peaches and cream – and I suspect you know that. My ever-after is me getting paid less for doing the same job as you – just as well. It’s me followed in stores because people think I’m stealing. It’s me straightening my hair, using skin lighteners, and contouring my make-up so my features look more “refined.” It’s me afraid to call the cops when I need them because history tells me they’ll think I’m the criminal. It’s me having to endure people assuming I’m not Canadian because I’m black. Instead, they ask “but where are you really from?” I mean, Becky, don’t get me wrong: my life is fine. I’m very proud to be black. I survive and thrive, but it’s not your privileged happily-ever-after.