Jeremy Tardy not returning to Dear White People, cites racial discrimination
Tardy played Rashid Bakr in the show and the character has now been written off
Jeremy Tardy will not return to the fourth and final season of Dear White People due to “racial discrimination.”
Tardy’s recurring character, Rashid Bakr, has been written off the show by the producers at Lionsgate studio. This comes after the two parties could not reach an agreement during contract negotiations.
The Black actor was slated to return to the series, but he was not satisfied with his pay, according to Deadline.
Tardy said that he had proposed a counteroffer that got denied, but a white cast member told him that his counteroffer was considered.
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In response to Lionsgate’s alleged double standards, Tardy and six other recurring cast member formed an alliance to get their demands met. The plan failed for Tardy when all of his allies made deals behind his back, “before the collective group received a fair and equitable negotiation process,” according to Deadline.
Tardy accused Lionsgate and Netflix of practicing racial discrimination despite what the show projects.
“These companies have recently released statements and even donations in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. I am calling out their shameful practices of discrimination and racial inequality with regard to how they have historically undervalued and lowballed people of color. Politically correct lip service and symbolic gestures do not absolve you of the daily responsibility of doing business in a fair and equitable manner,” he wrote, “The fact that this has occurred behind the scenes of a show which purports to address systemic issues of racism and discrimination displays the very epitome of hypocrisy. Lionsgate. Netflix. I see you. We see you.”
In response to Tardy’s accusations, Lionsgate stated that “this was a purely financial negotiation regarding deal terms,” according to Deadline.
“Lionsgate is committed to equal treatment for all talent regardless of race, gender, age or sexual orientation.”
Netflix has deferred all comments to Lionsgate.
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