Acting White

The film confronts what it means to “Act White” in the context of contemporary America. Mayowa dissects the origin and usage of the phrase and the implications of its role in defining Whiteness, and by extension revealing Blackness.

Digging deeper, she discover how the phrase impacts mental health, the psyche, and self-identity. She focuses in on the phrase as an influence on younger generations.

The film breaks down the racial stereotypes we all accept – consciously or subconsciously – while exposing the consequences for the individual. Narrating events from the perspective of a Black American, Mayowa questions the world around her, and even the qualities she sees in herself.