A week ago the Writer's Guild of America sent out an email to all of its members. It was the fi-core blacklist. A list of guild members who left the union during the infamous 2007 strike to sustain personal needs. Fi-Core, for those who forgot, legally allows writers to work union-gigs, etc. without having to contribute, in any way, to union political activities. Among the blacklist? John Ridley. Screenwriter/director Ridley is known for penning the first draft of Three Kings with George Clooney and Ice Cube. [Although it is said none of his words remained in the actual movie.] He also penned Undercover Brother with Eddie Griffin and Aujanue Ellis, and brought us the Showtime series Barbershop, inspired by the film franchise of the same name.
I was aware that members had gone Fi-Core during the strike. It was the topic during plenty of strike mornings as we kept hope alive during storm, flu and an unhelpful Al Sharpton. But that awareness turned into fury when my strike captain lost her job at a daytime soap because her executive producer hired non-union writers and embraced the return of Fi-Core writers. Yes, while my strike captain was away risking her financial stability, and possibly her career, for the greater cause, she was trumped by a sell-out.
Yesterday a friend asked what I felt about the blacklisted writers and John Ridley. My answer was simple: Yes. Blacklist those babies. Show the world who reneged on the greater cause out of fear, or pure selfishness. Hundreds of people walked in circles for months in order to make a statement to the industry we demanded a better percentage in our new-cyber infused industry. Hell, we chased down celebrity-politicians, took jobs folding clothes at The Gap, caught deadly viruses, some even applied for low-interest loans from the Guild because that's what unions do in turbulent times. What's that? Help out each other.
As far as John Ridely? Well, brother Ridley blasted the WGA for many reasons including being diversity-challenged, and he publicaly stated in the LA Times the WGA was a dictatorship. At one particular meeting in Santa Monica he claimed he was told no one was interested in hearing his opinion if it didn't support the larger WGA opinion about extending the strike and holding out for more reasonable bargaining. True or not, dozens upon dozens, including the former WGA president Frank Pierson was present at that meeting and swore those statements were viciously imagined. Ridley's statements, and being the only prime-time writer and screenwriter to go Fi-Core, was quickly deemed self-promoting and self-serving. Whether I feel the same way [because I never met the brother to assess his alleged cut-throat career strategies; however I do agree the WGA is diversity-challenged], Ridley went fi-core and he should most certainly be publicly blacklisted. Like all the rest.
Anyone want to chime in? I've attached the WGA statement and list below.
