Atlanta is Atlanta

Donald Glover’s new FX series “Atlanta” is nothing short of a masterpiece. This show accurately portrays the African American culture and youth of Atlanta. At the same time, it grapples with many social/ political problems in todays society. Atlanta’s debuted pilot “The Big Bang”, aired this past Tuesday (9/6/16), with spectacular reviews. The episode did more than establish character background and relationships, it takes you into the heart of Atlanta and gives you a real southern feel. This was done by showing and referencing many Atlanta staples from Jr Crickets to Little Five Points. In the second episode “Streets on Lock”, main character Earnest Marks spends his time being held in lockup. This is where the show reflects on issues such as: mental illness, police brutality, sexual orientation. While waiting to be bailed out Earnest witnesses a mentally ill man drink toilet water while everyone laughs in entertainment. Both the prisoners and guards comment on how frequently this man is locked up, and see it as weekly entertainment. The laughter stops when the sick man spits toilet water at a white guard and is brutally beaten for it. Everyone averts their eyes in fear, and quickly remembers their situation and skin color. In another jail scene, Earnest is stuck between another inmate and that inmate’s transgendered exgirlfriend. They are having an out loud conversation about their past relationship. This is when the bystanders point out the fact that she was once a man. This doesn’t sit well with the now upset exboyfriend. The crowd turns prejudice and chants “You Gay”. This depicts the real world problems many transgender face in their day to day lives. Donald Glover’s Atlanta has only released two episodes, yet it has reached a depth many shows take seasons to obtain.
Here is a article about it.