Back in 2018, Michael B. Jordan’s production company, Outlier Society Productions, joined the growing movement to support inclusion riders in contracts, to help make Hollywood more inclusive. Now, two years later, Jordan is joining the masses of protesters in Hollywood trying to call for expansive changes to society after the brutal killing of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer. And as he explained to the people gathered, Jordan has learned quite a bit from his career in Hollywood and makes some new vows to help end police violence and racism.
The actor-producer spoke to a group of protesters over the weekend, and as seen in videos posted on social media, Jordan mentioned his earlier support of inclusion riders but how studios and production companies, such as his own, have to go even further.
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“I use my power to demand diversity, but it’s time the studios and agencies and all these buildings we stand in front of to do the same,” he said.
He added, “You committed to a 50/50 gender parity in 2020. Where is the challenge to commit to Black hiring? Black content led by Black executives, Black consultants. Are you policing our storytelling as well? Let us bring our darkness to the light. Black culture: the sneakers, sports, comedic culture that you guys love so much. We’ve dealt with discrimination at every turn. Can you help fund Black brands, companies, cultural leaders, Black organizations?”
Jordan has worked on a number of films that dealt with issues of racism, such as the acclaimed projects such as “Fruitvale Station” and last year’s “Just Mercy.” In his speech, he even talked about his recent HBO film, “Fahrenheit 451,” and what that experience taught him.
“Producing [‘Fahrenheit 451’] made me really realize the lengths that the government and oppressors will go to keep knowledge out of your hands,” said the actor.
Speaking to the other protesters, Jordan added, “What we are doing today will make our values heard and our voices heard. We’ve got to keep agitating things. We can’t be complacent. We can’t let this moment just pass us by, we have to continue to put our foot on their necks.”
You can watch Jordan’s speech in the Twitter thread below: