I'm John the Fourth, so I think there's a lot of things in life that have been truly handed to me by the hard work and the pain of others. John Ridley fourthhandhard Change image and share on social
From the moment we were first dumped in Jamestown and had our teeth checked before getting sold off and later considered three-fifths of a human being, an abundance of 'likability' hasn't been something blacks have had to stockpile. Instead, it's been a centuries-long battle for respectability. John Ridley abundancebattleblack share on social
I can tell you from personal experience it gets a little tiring having to make the rounds on cable shows to explain 'what's up with black folks.' John Ridley blackcableexperience Change image and share on social
With comics, you don't have to worry so much about budgetary constraints. In film and television, however fanciful you want to be, someone can come up to you and go, 'Okay, this is going to cost X amount of dollars, and we only have so many days to film this.' With graphic novels, you can have that alien invasion you've always wanted to see. John Ridley alienamountbudgetary share on social
When I go to business meetings, I'm still told way too often by some receptionist, 'The mail room is downstairs,' to believe that racial perceptions don't still exist. But I figure there are always going to be knuckleheads no matter how many of their herd get stuck in the tar pits of progress. John Ridley businessdownstairsexist share on social
It's funny: over time, if you're fortunate, you build a nice career, and you have these interesting moments, and I would not, looking back, trade any of them - 'Red Tails,' '12 Years a Slave' and 'Undercover Brother.' John Ridley backbrotherbuild share on social
Republicans can be a funny bunch. They're against affirmative action, but they always seem to be able to find people of color to fill a slot just when they're most needed. John Ridley actionaffirmativebunch Change image and share on social
Slavery is something that affects all of us. It's all of our history. John Ridley affecthistoryslavery Change image and share on social
Bad news: Complainers are rewarded for complaining. Indicative of the victim culture in which we live, people have not only come to expect something for nothing, but are then rewarded for how loudly they can ventilate their sense of having been victims of fraud. John Ridley badcomplaincomplainer share on social
I understand politicos gotta make bank. But cloistering with the Hollywood elite is not how you prove you're a man of the people. John Ridley bankcloisterelite Change image and share on social