On Friday (April 28), Netflix‘s Dear White People, the series based on the 2014 satirical indie dramedy of the same name, was released to the masses. But before that, REVOLT TV held an exclusive screening, hosted by David Banner, at Atlanta’s members-only social club The Gathering Spot where viewers, director-writer Justin Simien, and cast members Logan Browning, Marque Richardson, and John Patrick Amedori discussed both the inspiration behind and influence of the new show.

As the series details black undergrads’ navigation of social injustice and cultural bias at a predominately-white Ivy League school, Richardson—who reprises his film role of character “Reggie Green”—said about its purpose, “At the root of it, the story is about identity, so what I hope people take from [it] is, at the end of the day, just be yourself and also take a stand for what you believe in.”

Speaking to the screening’s attendees during a Q&A, Browning (who plays “Samantha White,” host of the titular college radio show) noted the impact of the series’ promising legacy, saying, “I’m grateful that you all have this show. It’s kind of a time capsule and it’s really cool to know that you are represented, right now, forever.”

Additionally, Simien didn’t mince words when it came to discussing the change in political climate from when the film was originally released (in 2014) to present day.

He said, “Now that white people know that racism still exits, now that the secret is out, this show is now speaking to: How do you be an activist in the 21st century? Like, is it making a difference?”

Netflix‘s ‘Dear White People’ is currently available for streaming.

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