Jason Parham’s WIRED article is coming to the small screen next month!
Prentice Penny, a writer and producer known for his work on shows like Insecure and Girlfriends, has now developed a new Hulu docuseries titled Black Twitter: A People’s History. This three-part series dives into the birth, rise, and cultural impact of Black Twitter, a powerful online community that has shaped social justice movements, entertainment, and communication itself. Penny spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about what drew him to this project and his hopes for the audience.
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Insecure may have been Penny’s last major project, but he wasn’t looking to rest on his laurels. “I’ve been working on comedies for a long time,” he says, “and on Insecure as showrunner, what I loved about it was that it was a risk because there was nothing out there like that.” Black Twitter, a social media phenomenon Penny admires, offered a fresh challenge and a chance to explore a different creative space. He had never directed a documentary before, and expressing himself in this new medium was exciting.
Penny described the narrative arc of Black Twitter: A People’s History as a coming-of-age story, not unlike Star Wars or The Matrix. The series begins with the then-budding online community, a space for Black users to connect and find themselves. The story progresses through the awakening that came with the tragic death of Trayvon Martin, a pivotal moment that transformed Black Twitter into a platform for social activism.
Penny’s documentary centers on the voices that shaped Black Twitter. He incorporates comedians, journalists, activists, and everyday users to paint a well-rounded picture of this online community. Black Twitter, Penny says, isn’t limited to celebrities or academics; it’s a space where everyone has a seat at the table.
The docuseries highlights the parallels between Black Twitter’s citizen journalism and the work of the Black press, both essential for holding a spotlight on issues often ignored by mainstream media. Penny emphasizes Black ingenuity in using technology to carve out a space for themselves and challenge the status quo.
By the documentary’s end, Penny argues that Black Twitter has transcended its online roots. The movement’s cultural influence and advocacy have become undeniable. Black Twitter, he says, “is the conscious voice that represents revolution. It represents pushback and represents accountability.”
Penny discusses the power Black Twitter wields in holding people and institutions accountable, especially when the justice system fails. He cites a powerful quote from comedian W. Kamau Bell in the doc: “Justice doesn’t always work the way you want it to, but sometimes it’s working in ways you can’t imagine.”
Black Twitter fosters a sense of community and belonging, a safe space for Black users to discuss issues of race and culture without fear of judgment.
The show explores Black Twitter’s role in supporting Black-led content. Penny acknowledges the confluence of factors that led to the surge of Black narratives in Hollywood, but Black Twitter’s enthusiastic support played a significant role. Social media engagement, he argues, has become a powerful metric for studios to gauge a show’s cultural impact, and Black Twitter’s fervent discussions helped propel shows like Scandal and Black Panther to success.
While Hollywood has seen progress in diversity, Penny cautions against complacency. He has witnessed a recent pushback against inclusive storytelling, a concerning trend across many industries.
Penny himself has recently moved his overall deal from HBO to Onyx, a Disney studio focused on content created by creators of color. He is drawn to the studio’s understanding of the stories he wants to tell and the cultural impact they can have.
Black Twitter: A People’s History offers a compelling look at a powerful online movement that has transformed Black identity, social justice activism, and the entertainment landscape. It debuts on Hulu on May 9th.
Cover photo: Prentice Penny’s ‘Black Twitter’ Doc Set to Debut on Hulu / Credit: Clarence Williams / Disney