Antonio Ingram

Hello, I hope everyone is doing Okay. I wanted to take this moment to throw a question out that I've been curious about. What do you think about the power of the black writer today? Is it more powerful or less powerful? If less powerful why do you think that is? And, what would you say was an era where the black writer was the most powerful? I know I asked more than one question, you can just answer one of them if you want. I'm not demanding answers, these are just thoughts I'm curious about.

Hello, Harry. I think that's a great idea. And to take it a step further, I think that day should be one of the days within black history month. A month where the young black community can be educated on what the "regular" school system lacks to teach us about. Some young blacks didn't even have African American history class (I did, girlfriend didn't). We have to be the ones that educate and celebrate our people. And of course those that oppose will say, "Well Veteran's Day represents everyone that fought for us." Just like the flag represents freedom and just for all... Yeah.

@Delano, because I was thinking that it wasn't regarding screenwriting. I seen most of the post were about other fields of writing. I'll look back into it though. @Cynique, Even though it's not much stuff in my field on here, I like the idea of being in something a little different. It's good for balance, my balance anyway. And absolutely, I've had lots of criticism and feedback. Since I first started back in 2012, lol (boy we came a long way). And all of it has made me the writer I am today. I do have like two screenwriters that's familiar with my work that I share with. One recently praised my writing. I even used a script consultant one time (won't be anymore) who I kept in touch with. And when I went to Full Sail University (graduated June 2017), which was where I was in a hands-on environment and they treated the classrooms like the professional writing spaces. There was lots of critiques and feedback flying around. Regarding my writing, I write character-driven drama films focused around the young black man to give our society a different viewpoint of who we are and to show that we’re living humans like everyone else. I don't see the young black man's voice reflected on screen, unless it's something along the lines of slave, drug dealer, dead-beat, victim, killed, poor, ignorant, buffoon. There's so much more to us than those things, and I want to be the one who leads the charge in reflecting all the other aspects of the young black man and what we're capable of. I also want to tackle issues within our culture.

@Delano, I looked through the post sections before I posted it. I didn't see any employment sections, so I picked somewhere I thought It would fit. And Okay, I'll keep that one in mind. I had no problem with you not giving me career advice, that's your preference. I only took issue in the first place because it appeared that my character and who I am as a person was being questioned. Being told I'm trying to "run" things, being told I think my perspective is "superior" to everyone else. I took issue with that because that's the opposite of who I am as a person. But, that's how you guys address each other on here, I'm not used to that. I came on here to connect with other black writers, I have a connection with a whole bunch of white writers on stage 32. I wanted to build on my connection with black writers. People I can relate with. To be more specific, young black writers and young black screenwriters because I was basically the only one who wanted to do that at the university. Those people are not on here either, but I like the topics in the post and have decided to stick around. And I think "school your benefactors" is the wrong statement. First glance, I thought everyone was bashing each other and arguing. Naturally, I'm not the arguing type, especially when it comes to black folks. I just thought about how blacks tear each other down, and that was why I brought the black panthers up in the first place. I was making a point. Me saying they were one of the greatest movements we had, that's my opinion. I didn't know that was how you guys communicated on here. I know that now for sure. I was just trying to stop what I thought was an argument. If you get me trying to "school" you and my other peers out of that, I don't know what to tell you. I've taken the time to rectify the situation with nothing but respect. I would never try school peers that are older than me. Even if I was your same age, I still wouldn't do that. That's not in my nature. It's unfortunately that you considered me as such.

@Delano, I'll rephrase something you said, but it really doesn't matter. That's your perspective. If you think I have "false modesty", that's you. I'm not going to take the time to defend that, I don't have to. You're overanalyzing my statements. If you'd read my conversations with @Cynique, You'd see there's nothing false about that, or maybe you won't see it and find something else to argue with me about. I feel like you want me to admit to being a certain way that I'm not, I can't entertain that, man. @Cynique, Oh, Okay. That's close enough.

Completely understood @Cynique. I'm glad you have an understanding. And I like the backstory with the name there. It's all coming together. Funny enough, it's the same with my Granny. Since she's known about this writing journey, she's been against. I've convinced her over time, she still slips in her comments thought. But, I love her. You're southern, aren't you? Something feels familiar about you. And @Delano, I don't really look at it like that. I'm just giving my perspective. Nothing more, nothing less. I don't have the ego to pull such a statement off. I know people like that, and they speak more and listen less because they think they know everything.

On that note, I apologize for the misunderstanding. Let's just say all of this was our introduction to each other, lol.

I'll agree with that, @Cynique. Yes, I'm new to new on here, so I was unaware that what I was addresses was simply a norm on here. You all are used to each other and I understand the nature here now. I'll be sure to pay such arguments no mind next time. That's not really what I'm on here for. And naturally, I'm not really the arguing type (It's my girlfriend's thing). And even if I was arguing, I'm just not a person that believes in throwing insults in an argument. Especially given you all are older than me, I wouldn't address you like that no matter how much I disagreed. I was raised on respecting your elders, treating people how you want to be treated. So, thank you for making me aware so that I'll know going forward. And thank you @Troy. And with the black panthers, Okay. To each is own. Every movement has its negative, just like every person does. And within those will be arguments. Okay, @Delano, I came on here to run things. I've already resigned if that's the case, lol. I don't like the idea of being a boss, I don't to manage egos. That you're right on, but @Cynique made me aware of the nature here. And yes, I noticed that, and it's kind of funny. Trust me, Antonio is minding his business next time. You can have the lead back @Delano.

@Troy I have a Twitter (that's what I'm on more than anything, I like it better), I have a stage 32, I have a Linkedin, I've established a blogger page now. I'm just not a fan of Facebook. I never gravitated to it. I did with Twitter though. And yes, I agree, I think disagreements are important as well, never said they weren't. I also didn't take it personally, but it seemed like my peers were to some extent. I was pointing to the fact that there were insults being attached to the disagreements, I don't think that's a productive argument, because naturally, another insult will be returned. That's more so what I meant about finding a common ground. That's my point.

Okay, I don't really like to get in people's business, but @Pioneer1, @Delano, and @Cynique, what you're doing here is another one of the problems amongst our culture. I know that we have our different views, but that should never overshadow the fact that we're all trying to go the same direction. Yeah, we're taking different paths and we come from different generations, but why not find a common ground instead of contrasting amongst each other? I shall mention the color white again, the FBI of the 1970s pit the black panthers against each other and that's what led to their demise. That was one of the greatest movements we ever had, and yet it fell apart from the inside. Then the outside took advantage of it and has ever since. With all that's going on right now, with all that our culture has been through, we should be able to have a productive conversation that ends with unified hands. Not throwing what we know at each other, but using what we know as one. We've got to look out for one another, because no one else will. And that doesn't matter what color you want us to be, we'll still be the same color and viewed as such. I say this with nothing but respect to my older peers. I love my black people and I don't like to see us bash each other. That's not what our generations past went through all that hell for. And thank you @Linda Chavis, unfortunately I don't have a Facebook, but I will look for other groups. Thank you for thinking of me, that was very kind you.

Sounds about right, lol. Thanks for having our back. My generation is about breaking cycles.

Lol, you know what, I knew that was wrong. I kept looking at that word. My eyes tired, I've been writing all day today. Thank you. Let me see if I can edit it.

Just their plot to keep us in check being they're not the majority anymore. They got to have the up some kind of way, you know how that goes.

I second everything that @Pioneer1 is saying. Non-blacks are being taken advantage of, and blacks don't build smarter circles, most have this stay in the family mentality. Some of us are too proud to reach out to other blacks for help, others have trust issues because someone doesn't agree with their particular idea. And to answer " One simple answer for the most part, money. To most of us oppressed folks, you flash money in front of us and you've already reeled us into to be manipulated at will. Also, we don't know what to say yes to, and what to say no to. Which is branched to the money situation. I'm not putting the blame on the white man anymore for anything. We know that agenda, I'm putting the blame on us. We got to do better as a people with these things. Our ancestors of the past were a unified strength. They looked out for one another (which @Mel Hopkins nailed on the head), they stood up for one another, they encouraged one another. There was a compassion that I think this generation of our people lacks. It's such an opportunist mentality, mentality that didn't come from us.

Hey, Troy. Yes, I have been warned about taking writing jobs for free. I'm not in favor of that at all, especially right now. And I'll be sure to check out your article. And yeah, I have a stage 32 profile (like a Facebook for writers, directors, ect in the film, television, and theater industries). I've managed to build networks with peers, professionals and up and comers. The problem on that site is, it's not hardly any black ones on there. And that's been another issue. I've been looking for black screenwriter’s organization, but the ones I found were outdated and basically nonexistent. They are the ones that will be able to help me, they are the one that should want to help me. Where I'm from, I'm like the only one that's pursuing something like this, lol. I just mean not a lot of young blacks want to do this. That was one of the reasons why I came on here, I thought I might find some like-minded writers in my realm on here. And yes, I'm looking into that. You mark the third person who has told me. I was already sold when two black women told me, I cherish the black woman's insight. Thank you very much for the insight and the links. I'll continue to push forward.