A question posed during yesterday’s Television Critics Association summer press tour panel for Black-ish got the show’s creator, Kenya Barris, discussing about why he’s tired of talking about “diversity.” The exchange began when a reporter wanted the show’s producers to divulge “statistics or information” about the racial demographics of the comedy’s audience. “I was wondering if you could share that and maybe share how that information shapes your sensibilities about how you write,” he inquired. (He prefaced this with an invocation of a two-year-old tweet from Donald Trump, of all people. That did not please actress Jenifer Lewis, who plays Ruby on the show.)
Star and executive producer Laurence Fishburne was the first to respond, remarking, “What an odd question.” Then Barris took over, voicing his frustration. “I would be so happy when diversity is not a word,” he said. “You know what I’m saying? I have the best job in the world, and I am constantly having to talk about diversity. I have the best actors. It’s ridiculous. We are at a time when everything is about black and white and this and that.” He later added: “It didn’t matter who is watching our show. The fact is that they’re watching it, and I feel like every question, every panel, and I’m tired, so I’m so tired of talking about diversity. These are amazing talented actors and amazing writers who give their all and don’t have to do this, and it’s clouding the conversation.”