Nollywood multiple award-winning actress Omotola Jalade has advised the western media to desist from addressing Black Americans in the diaspora as Africans
In an interview with Joy entertainment at ‘The Women of Valor’ event, Omotola Jalade stated “The west also needs to understand our complexity and be a little more open to working with us. When you have roles for Africans, stop casting Americans as Africans. It makes no sense.
She would continue by advising Africans to stand up for themselves “We have to stand up for ourselves when we see movies where people are speaking as Africans in a different way. Who talks like that in Africa? These things are archaic, they are old and we should fight to stop them”
Omotola Jalade would however express her optimism at the change she seeks to see adding that she hopes the current crop of movie makers would make a difference “I pray we are that era now where African actors and filmmakers will be respected for what they bring to the table and we can really foster collaboration. It can be avoided. Can it be eradicated? Almost no! That is because, in life, you can’t. The movie industry is part of life. People will still want to take advantage of things both the predator and the victim”
The movie maker would conclude by adding “We can put people in a position where it cannot be done against their will. That is what we are trying to do in the movie industry worldwide. People are more vocal except if you want to put yourself in that position”
Omotola Jalade is one of the continent’s biggest movie exports as she has been consistent in the industry in a career that spans back over two decades.
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