Twitter had some words for Kenya Barris ahead of an upcoming project called You People.
The film, which is co-written by Barris and Jonah Hill, appears to focus on the subject of interracial relationships. This was suggested by a promotional teaser that Netflix shared on Monday, as Hill plays an awkward white man trying to win the approval of his Black girlfriend’s father, who is played by Eddie Murphy.
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In addition to Hill and Murphy, the film features other big-name stars like Nia Long, Lauren London, and Mike Epps.
Twitter Users Find The Project Redundant & Go In On Kenya Barris
As the teaser started gaining traction online, many people began to side-eye the entire movie.
Kenya was largely slammed for his role in creating the film, as it was widely alleged that he only spearheads projects centered on interracial relationships and biracial identities. He was even accused of having a “biracial obsession.”
One thing for certain, two things for sure: the sun rises in the east, the earth is round, and Kenya Barris will never stop beating you over the head with his biracial obsession https://t.co/5wqYhMRgtZ
— Your Tiny Journalist Friend. (@thewayoftheid) December 5, 2022
Kenya Barris won't rest until a biracial baby is born on Mars.
— Skar King '24 (@bbl_drizzzay) December 5, 2022
if kenya barris doesn’t do anything else, he’s going to subject us to the biracial plight. nothing else, nothing more.
he’s given us biracials in space. biracials on a boat. biracials in the big city. biracials on the farm. holiday biracials. biracials get a job. biracials-
— Chase (@imnotchase) December 5, 2022
Some went as far as to claim Kenya “needs to seek help” and pursue inner healing.
I hope Kenya Barris heals one day https://t.co/FyjmBqPhUw
— . (@kingbealestreet) December 5, 2022
i hope kenya barris eventually heals from whatever happened to him that has him feeling the need to make every project he does defend interracial relationships and being biracial. cause at this point i’m starting to think his ancestors were THE loving v. virginia
— brie. (hyperbolically) (@briebxrries) December 5, 2022
Kenya Barris definitely needs to seek help. But this isn’t limited to just him. There’s always a biracial daughter for two Black parents. It’s colorist and sexist. Because the girl is usually lighter than her brother if there are siblings in a show/movie. https://t.co/dDE7IxxlXB
— Geriatric Emo (@marcia_too) December 6, 2022
There was also a bit of confusion surrounding Lauren London being cast as the biological daughter of Eddie Murphy and Nia Long’s characters.
Lauren London is playing the biological daughter of Nia Long and Eddie Murphy https://t.co/5cPEYeZO5X
— I Could’ve Just Sat On In With Massa (@WrittenByHanna) December 5, 2022
Those recessive genes always seem to find their way in a Netflix show over the last 6-8yrs🤔
— jay (@itsjusstjayy) December 6, 2022
1. Why is Nia Long name not in the tweet
2. Lauren is too old to play Nia daughter
3. Lauren is biracial why is she playing the daughter of Eddie & Nia
4. Kenya Barris really need to move pass this obsession with biracialsI’ll skip this offering. https://t.co/mCDdpce3xL
— Queen of Sheba (@makedaworld) December 6, 2022
Comparisons between You People and earlier projects like Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner and Guess Who, which respectively premiered in 1967 and 2005, were also drawn.
https://twitter.com/xTheAgingGamer/status/1599789750642421761?s=20&t=Top3dpMzcS6J2z35yfPGGg
From the 60s really. Guess Who's Coming to Dinner starring Sidney Poitier.
— D.B. (@TheDani76) December 5, 2022
On top of people criticizing Kenya, Jonah caught some smoke, too! In fact, one user went as far as to tweet, “no Black woman would willing date Jonah Hill.” Talk about being out of pocket!
Just came here to make this comment. This trailer is its own "damn, white people do not age well" joke. If you need me I'll be slathering on another layer of SPF 50.
— Maggie Koerth (@maggiekb1) December 6, 2022
https://twitter.com/nylah_jc/status/1599812501029679104?s=20&t=Top3dpMzcS6J2z35yfPGGg
Ultimately, the buzz surrounding Kenya and You People got the film trending on Twitter. However, it may not have been for the most ideal reason.
I see Kenya Barris trending. It must be a new biracial show I’m not gonna watch 😐
— KINA SNOW 🙆🏽♀️🏳️🌈 (@TheeKemiSnow) December 6, 2022
It’s crazy the reason Kenya Barris is trending is solely because Black Peoples hating.
— MA$TER WANDERER (@JaylinDailey) December 6, 2022
I saw Kenya Barris trending and yeah…yep.
— Katherine (@ksb78) December 5, 2022
The film is scheduled to premiere on January 27, 2023.
What do you think about the criticism levied against Kenya Barris, and will you be watching You People?
