Jeremy Tardy Talks Racism, Reveals Hopes For ‘Dear White People’ Season 2

The series only scratched the surface when it comes to the racial conflicts affecting so many in the United States. Now, with Season 2 of “Dear White People” set to debut on Netflix sometime next year, actor Jeremy Tardy, who portrayed Rashid on the show, is sharing what he hopes to see with his character going forward.

In the first season, Rashid wasn’t one of the central characters involved with the main proceedings, but often made wry observations about just what was going on within his group of friends as a result. However, though he’s uncertain how the story will continue playing out in the new season, Tardy told International Business Times that he thinks it would great to delve more into Rashid’s journey to Winchester University, because his character can also provide the perspective an immigrant.

Read: Meet The Cast Of “Dear White People”

“I would like to explore Rashid’s personal life and the nature of his transition from Kenya to America. I honestly feel that he comes from a privileged background. I think that now it is especially important to be aware of what immigrants experience coming to America,” he said in an email.

Tardy believes looking into Rashid’s background, as a Kenyan exchange student at the fictional Ivy League campus the show is set at, would potentially bring audiences a way to better understand the challenges someone who emigrates to the U.S. may face, especially when they learn about how well-educated Rashid is.

“There are many things I’d love to explore with Rashid, but most of all is his capacity to speak five languages. That’s just amazing to me,” he said. “… I find that people who speak more than one language often have a much broader perspective and worldview. Seeing through Rashid’s ‘lense,’ a Kenyan man, will undoubtedly help to disabuse many viewers of the stereotypes or stigmas about Africans and African cultures.”

Read: Antoinette Robertson Isn’t “Bothered” By Calls To Boycott “Dear White People”

Tardy also discussed how his own experiences and challenges growing up helped influence and shape the actor he has become, as well as helped him determine just which kinds of roles he wants to take in his career.

“Where I come from, becoming a successful actor was something that seemed far-fetched and impossible to many people. There was a perception by many that the only way to get out of the hood was through playing sports or selling drugs. I did none of either,” he said. “While I have been very blessed throughout my life, I have definitely experienced certain instances of blatant racism. As an African-American man, I am very motivated to be involved in stories that portray the fullness, complexity and beauty of the African-American experience in ways that have not yet been done on screen. Personally speaking, it is very important for me to use my resources to help educate and empower people of color, and to be an advocate for justice and equal rights under the law.”

“Dear White People” Season 2 begins production later this year.