My two cents on this whole racism discourse
I wouldn't say that nothing at all is racist about the writing in The Vampire Lestat, because it's a show from a big network that is, unavoidably, racist. I do think it's very important to have black people in the room when writing black people, so I agree with that. For some reason I feel like Lestat's season definitely could use more black writers even to write HIM, and to point out his experience as a white man's experience in the world.
At the same time, I don't think treating the actors as helpless babies who need to be rescued is cool - they seem to have a lot of opinions, actually, and openly disagree sometimes with the writers, which is really great! You can find something racist and a black person can disagree with you, you don't have to speak for them! Actually, you don't have that right at all! These are real people, not characters, leave them alone!
I do think the "brutalized black characters" point is silly? Lestat looks absolutely fucked up in the first episode, like, dude is GORY when Gabriella shows up. And then again they're all important characters in a horror-adjacent show, I think that's to be expected.
The Louisiana Fried Chicken also made me feel insane. His name is Louis! He's from Louisiana! He fried himself!
I didn't mind the seance at all. I'm actually appreciative that they didn't ignore how race is a huge part of Louis and Claudia, particularly considering the time they lived in. It makes sense to me personally that race was brought up and used to hurt, though I'm pretty open to (respectful!) disagreements.
And I won't speak anything on Armand's character because there are people who are better equipped than me.
Is Rolin Jones racist? Probably, yea. Most white men his age are, but if I had to guess ('cause it is just a guess) I'd say he's as racist as every white person with good intentions who grew up under a white worldview and who maybe fancies themselves more enlightened than they are. Just like so many of you.
Not a nazi. Not KKK. Some of y'all really need to hold the importance of the things you're saying. Get a fucking grip.
I have a few nitpicks with Louis this season, but not in the sense that I think he was portrayed as badly as some of you are saying. I think he's on a very self-conscious journey, owning up to his faults (his failures) and everything. At points I thought they were trying to even the terrain so he and Lestat could be together by portraying them as equally bad, and that comes across as misguided to me. But who can say if I'm right or if this is Lestat's POV? The format of this show comes with a lot of perils.
Then again, two seasons informed by Louis' (a black man) point of view, then suddenly switching to Lestat (as white as they come) would never be without consequences.
I most definitely DID NOT get the sense from the show that he in any way, shape or form deserved what happened to him because he used to be a pimp. That's crazy to me. He was trying to get him and Regina out ALIVE, and, additionally, he found it in himself to see this very fragile part of Armand he elected to ignore before and show him kindness. I thought that was really beautiful but NOT AT ALL a sign that anyone believes Louis deserved it.
Overall, though, this IS a TV show, guys. All of your anti racism feelings are better directed somewhere else in these dire times. No network executive is going to save us. If you care so much, if the plight of black people is something you wish to address in your life, your energy is better spent somewhere other than The Vampire Lestat.
Every media made under white supremacy will be informed by white supremacy in some way. Some of them will be wonderful, some of them will be horrible, the overwhelming majority will be somewhere in the middle.
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