Who Is Tamika Pratt? An Explainer on the 'All American' Character

June 2024 · 4 minute read

'All American' has addressed a poignant social factor via its Tamika Pratt character, however what is the tale in the back of all of it? Here's a breakdown.

Chris Barilla - Author

A brand new storyline within the hit tv display All American will focal point on a in point of fact divisive issue in the United States: police brutality. Detailing the fictional story of Tamika Pratt, a young Black lady killed by way of police when she was once discovered drowsing in her automotive, show famous person Olivia (Samantha Logan) feels forced to firmly align herself with the Black Lives Matter motion.

Article continues below advertisement

As the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin involves a detailed and numerous involved voters still voice their outrage with present policing practices in real existence, the new tale arch in All American turns out more well timed than ever. However, the thought was once in truth pitched long prior to George Floyd's dying.

What is the tale of Tamika Pratt on All American, and the way is the display the usage of it to talk about police brutality as an entire? Here's a breakdown of all of it.

Article continues underneath advertisement

The tale of Tamika Pratt was once formulated long sooner than the country rallied behind George Floyd.

Tamika Pratt's story of being gunned down whilst merely napping in her personal automobile is a normal mirrored image by way of All American writers on the present state of social injustice in the U.S. Although the display is no longer the first to address systemic racism in the wake of George Floyd's loss of life, it has made social justice for Black youth a outstanding focal point of its life since the very starting.

Article continues below commercial

Showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll instructed TV Guide that she pitched the Tamika storyline in March 2020, long prior to huge swathes of the country rallied in the back of George Floyd. Furthermore, she said that at the time, she was hoping that Tamika's story would air as a conscious reflection of how things once have been, not a reminder of how they still are.

"I don't know how I feel truthfully because these have been very difficult episodes to write, and to shoot, and to be immersed in and editing, while also being a parent of young Black kids, while also sort of sitting and watching what was happening with the Derek Chauvin trial, and then the Daunte Wright murder, and now Ma'Khia," she mentioned to the publication, referencing the actual other folks who were sufferers to police brutality lately.

Article continues beneath commercial

"It's one of those things where we pride ourselves on the show being an authentic portrayal of what youth, and especially Black youth, in America go through — both the trials and tribulations and the joy — but this is kind of one of those times where you almost wish it had felt outdated," she added.

Article continues beneath commercial

Olivia's allure to the Black Lives Matter reason derives from the proven fact that she felt a personal connection to Tamika's loss of life. In a recent episode, she drove whilst intoxicated and were given off with out a hitch since she is a white district legal professional's daughter. Her privilege in that situation made her replicate greatly on what came about to Tamika and drove her to soak up a stand in the younger lady's defense.

"The fact that [Olivia] is a DA's daughter, and not only that, she's a white DA's daughter. It just felt like we had a very unique, very personal lens to be able to tell a story like this in a way that was very personal to our characters, especially in the Baker family," Nkechi mentioned of how it all got here to be. Now, as the season continues to increase, Olivia is posed to proceed to take a central position in the fights for equality.

Catch new episodes of All American on Mondays at Eight p.m. EST on the CW.

If you're searching for ways to donate your time or cash to Black Lives Matter and other antiracist organizations, we've created a list of resources to get you started.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pbXSramam6Ses7p6wqikaKhfqa6utcqaZKmqkanBbq3LpWSapZWntqStzQ%3D%3D