“We greenlight ourselves.”
Origin, a film directed by Ava DuVernay, follows the true story of author and journalist, Isabel Wilkerson, as she writes her second novel, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. We see Wilkerson, played by actress Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, as she travels to Germany and India to discover how the methods of oppression used during the Holocaust, within the Indian caste system, and American slavery all connect to each other. She reports and conducts interviews to crack her theory while mourning the loss of three family members: her late husband, mother, and cousin.
I attended a screening of the movie opening night at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. Dean Jelani Cobb organized the event and DuVernay made an appearance at the end of the film for a Q+A . DuVernay let us know that a major film production company didn’t back her to help her direct this movie and she managed the press coverage the movie received. According to Forbes, DuVernay and her team planned on Netflix backing and releasing the film, but Netflix’s release date options didn’t align with what DuVernay’s vision. She wanted to release the film before the 2024 election, and Netflix already had a full slate for 2023. From this, DuVernay decided to produce the film independently. She said, ‘“we greenlight ourselves,” instead of waiting for someone to do it for us.
As a journalist, a creative, and a Black woman, I’m underestimated by many. The nature of the field I work in can make one feel like they have to wait for an “important” name from an “important” company to open up doors of opportunity. We’re fighting to work at these big named companies or for our work to be recognized by them. It’s easy to think that without a proper cosign that our work isn’t valid.
Returning to my podcast brought back anxieties I had about hosting, and I wondered if my point of view held any weight. “Who do I think I am?” ran through my head often. But then, I thought about the first time I gave podcasting a try, and I actually had no clue what I was doing, my mentor, Byron Slosar, told me to put my podcast on my resume. At the time, I thought this was an insane request. Put my podcast, that was lucky to hit 30 listens an episode some weeks, on a resume that’s supposed to represent my professional history? That seemed like a recipe for disaster. But, Byron explained to me how the fact that I had my own podcast shows that I’m entrepreneurial. Jobs would see I wasn’t a person that waited for things to happen to me, I make them happen for myself. And he was right, because my podcast (plus New York University written in bold letters at the top) lead to so many opportunities, most importantly my podcast producer role at The Daily Show.
There are parts of life that we’re supposed to let happen, and parts that we have to make happen. DuVernay didn’t wait for the backing and funding of a major film studio, and trusted her community as she turned to them to help with funding for the film. They believed in DuVernay’s vision. She received investments from the Ford Foundation, nonprofits funded by Melinda French Gates, Laurene Powell Jobs, and 23andMe CEO Anne Wojcicki. NBA players, such as Chris Paul, Karl Anthony Towns, and Kevin Love also donated to the film. She ended up working with a $38 million dollar budget and filmed the movie in 37 days. DuVernay also locked down coverage from many media outlets, including NBC News and Good Morning America.
Me, and THEE Ava DuVernay.
I’m cheesing hard to keep from crying.
Waiting for permission can hold us back from our purpose and make us think that we’re not ready to do something that we actually have all the capabilities to do. I implore everyone reading to see Origin in theaters because DuVernay helped tell a story all folks can learn from. Also, take a look at the areas in life where you feel like you’re waiting for someone to give you permission. If you’re under 18 and that permission is required, I get it. But for my 18+-ers, you have agency and your desires matter. Don’t wait for someone to give you the freedom to do it, take that freedom for yourself and live in it.
