Close to 20 years ago, Gabrielle starred in the cult classic Bring It On as Isis, the cheerleader captain of the East Compton Clovers. In her latest book, the actress said she wishes her character did more.
“I realize that what you did, Isis, confronting Kirsten Dunst‘s character Torrance about the thievery, is way more than most characters get to do. When it comes to Black characters in TV or film getting to hold white folks accountable, yeah, it was heroic,” she wrote. “But it was just a step. It wasn’t everything you could have done, and that’s because I didn’t do what I should have done.”
Gabrielle continued, “I made you swallow your anger to be the most palatable version of Black leadership possible. You could point out a wrong and a lack of accountability, but you could not demand it. I had you make all the little compromises and everyday concessions I thought you needed, the ones that I thought I needed to make at one time or another, just so you would be heard.”
