What is the background behind “All American’s” serious societal issue that Tamika Pratt’s character addressed? Here is an explanation.
The very polarising topic of police violence will be the centre of a new plot line in the popular television series All American. Samantha Logan’s character Olivia, the star of the programme, feels obliged to strongly associate herself with the Black Lives Matter movement after telling the false story of Tamika Pratt, a young Black woman who was killed by police after they discovered her sleeping in her car.
The new plot line in All American seems more relevant than ever as the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin nears its conclusion and numerous concerned citizens continue to express their indignation with current policing practises in real life. The proposal, however, was made well in advance of George Floyd’s passing.
What is Tamika Pratt’s tale in All American, and how is the programme utilising it to talk about police violence in general? Here is a summary of everything.
Before the country came together in support of George Floyd, Tamika Pratt’s story had already been developed.
All American writers have used Tamika Pratt’s account of being shot dead while simply trying to sleep in her own car to reflect on the current situation of social injustice in the country. Despite the fact that the programme is not the first to confront structural racism in the wake of George Floyd’s passing, it has always placed a strong emphasis on social justice for Black kids.
Nkechi Okoro Carroll, the show’s creator, revealed to TV Guide that she first proposed the Tamika plot in March 2020, months before the majority of the country came out in support of George Floyd. She added that she had intended that Tamika’s narrative would air at the time as a deliberate reflection of how things formerly were rather than a reminder of how they now are.
She told the publication, referring to the fictional character Ma’Khia, “I don’t know how I feel honestly because these have been very difficult episodes to write, shoot, and be immersed in while also being a parent of young Black kids, while also sort of sitting and watching what was happening with the Derek Chauvin trial, then the Daunte Wright murder, and now Ma’Khia.”
This is one of those instances where you almost wish it hadn’t felt antiquated, she continued. “We pride ourselves on the show being an authentic portrayal of what youth, and especially Black youth, in America go through — both the trials and tribulations and the joy,” she said.
Olivia was drawn to the Black Lives Matter movement because she had a personal connection to Tamika’s passing. She recently drove while inebriated and, since she is the daughter of a white district attorney, got away with it. She gave a lot of thought to what had happened to Tamika in that circumstance, which inspired her to speak up in the young woman’s defence.
“That [Olivia] is a DA’s daughter—and not just any DA’s daughter—but a white DA’s daughter. Nkechi described how it all came about: “It just felt like we had a very unique, very intimate lens to be able to portray a narrative like this in a way that was extremely personal to our characters, especially in the Baker family. As the season progresses, Olivia is expected to continue to play a crucial part in the campaigns for equality.
Watch brand-new All American episodes on the CW every Monday at 8 p.m. EST.
We have compiled a list of opportunities for you to contribute your time or money to Black Lives Matter and other anti-racist organisations.
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