via Wikimedia
History was made in 1991. The classic film “Boyz N The Hood” debuted, and with its premiere, the world saw the turbulence and the triumphs of modern Black life in a way the world had never seen.
Not only did the film give us some of today’s most elite Black stars - including Morris Chestnut, Regina King, and Cuba Gooding Jr. - but Singleton’s authentic telling of marginalized Black life in America perpetually shifted the way Black people were seen, onscreen and off.
During a time when Black folks were covertly being neglected, beaten, and killed by authorities for simply being Black, Singleton exposed the humanity of ALL Black people.
And continued doing so throughout his career.
From the Black love displayed in “Poetic Justice” to the exploration of systemic racism in “Higher Learning,” Singleton stayed true to his mission.
He’d also go on to help jumpstart the career of some of today’s current stars, like Taraji P. Henson (“Hustle & Flow”), Tyrese (“Baby Boy”), and Laurence Fishburne (“Boyz N The Hood”).
Cinematically, John Singleton was a rare talent. But perhaps more impressively, he used his gift to become a voice for Black people.
And it was with that kind of dedication that John Singleton changed how Black people were represented and Black stories were told in Hollywood forever.