Archive: Can the Arts Drive Social Change? With Idris Elba, Kwame Kwei-Armah and Yassmin Abdel-Magied
Summary
Chaired by Yasmeen Abdel-Majid, this Intelligence Squared episode features actor Idris Elba and playwright Kwame Kwei-Armah discussing the role of arts in addressing racism and inequality following the Black Lives Matter movement. The guests explore how creative industries can drive meaningful change, navigate systemic barriers, and foster diverse representation through "diversity of thought." They reflect on the power of artistic expression as a voice for social justice and offer advice to emerging artists on sustaining resilience and integrity within the industry.
Topics discussed
Sponsor: Rocket Mortgage
Introduction and guest introductions
The impact of the pandemic on the arts
Generational responsibility and the history of activism
Navigating systems and the concept of 'inside the house'
Idris Elba's Green Door and diversifying thought
Leading diverse organizations and intersectionality
The pressure to be 'twice as good' and its cost
The 'Ark' metaphor for industry survival and change
Sponsors: Empower, Vanta, and Pfizer
Vision for the future and advice for artists
Q&A: Diversity quotas and all-black casts
Q&A: Audience representation and empathy
Q&A: Supporting black women and intersectional issues
Q&A: Celebrity silence and social media activism
Q&A: Disability representation in filmmaking
Q&A: Anthems, Hamilton, and colorblind casting
Final advice for emerging artists
Closing remarks and sponsors
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