Mainstream conversations about police brutality, race and inclusion are here to stay until things change. Chris Rock’s reaction to #OscarsSoWhite is one of the only reasons many tuned in to the 88th Academy Awards this past weekend.

ABC’s hit show black-ish is also known for putting a comedic touch on delicate issues like the use of the N-word and gun control. But last week’s episode, titled “Hope,” was a serious one. The Emmy-nominated show took on racism, police brutality and the #BlackLivesMatter movement.

REVOLT caught up black-ish star Anthony Anderson on the Ebony x iTunes Black Hollywood Red Carpet and he explained why this episode hit particularly close to home for him.

“What I pulled from is being a victim of police brutality,” he said. “Growing up in Compton in the ’80s during a time of gang-banging and the crack epidemic…”

Anderson also detailed a horrific college experience.

“I was a student at Howard University protesting at a Klan rally,” he told REVOLT. “I was beaten by nine police officers because of my convictions and my beliefs and who I know that I am. It wasn’t hard for me to pull from that and tell the story we told last week.”

The “Hope” episode placed the Johnson family in their living room as they witness news coverage of the fictional shooting of a black teenager at the hands of police. The episode highlights how parents often struggle to talk to their kids about sensitive topics. It also features the multi-generation reactions from the entire family.

Anthony went on to explain: “We pride ourselves on telling honest stories. Everything that you’ve seen on our show has come from our lives. The show is about the lives and the children of my partner Kenya Barris and myself and the struggles that we go through being first generation successful…Kenya is from Inglewood and I’m from Compton.”

Anderson delivers a stirring monologue in regards to President Barack Obama’s election and brings an unfortunate and familiar sentiment to national television.

Check out our interview with Anthony Anderson below.