A Different World1987

Whitley Marion Gilbert Wayne:
[the Rodney King verdict is aired on a television in a department store. Four white cops are acquitted of beating a unarmed Black man. Several worried people are glued to the set. There is a feeling of outrage among the small throng] How could they acquit them? I mean, it was on tape. Hard evidence.

Ianta:
Evidence?

Whitley Marion Gilbert Wayne:
Solid!

Ianta:
Girl, please. They can beat us, kill us, do whatever they wanna do - and get off - just like they always have.

Ianta:
[scoffs]

Whitley Marion Gilbert Wayne:
We still have the Constitution to protect us.

Ianta:
When that piece of paper was written, African people in this country were slaves - ALL of us. We sisters were considered nothing but bed warmers!

Whitley Marion Gilbert Wayne:
But we have our rights now. I mean, they-they're not gonna deny me. I'm an African American.

Ianta:
Here, Ms. Lambchop. Stop worrying about integrating and being accepted, and start thinking about building - for yourself, for our people - so that we can provide a *future* for our children.

[thunderous applause is heard on soundtrack]