Black Hollywood On How They're Getting Through The Next Four Years

Liquor, prayer, and activism.

1. Tracee Ellis Ross, Black-ish

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"Continuing to remind myself and all of us about our freedom, despite what the political climate might reflect. We can do this by giving from a place that we aren’t used to giving from. There will be fellow citizens who will need our help, and how we give that help is totally up to us. One of the best antidotes for fear is action and taking small actions to be of service. That's why I'm partnering with campaigns like #WomanInProgress that empower women to turn painful experiences into successful ones. The Women’s March is also offering up info for service and are making great headway. Finally, social media is very helpful in finding the right people to have conversations with to make sure that our representatives are representing us."

2. Issa Rae, Insecure

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"I'm reading a lot of articles, immersing myself in political podcasts, just trying to get as much info as I can to figure out what I can personally do to make a difference. And also, drinking a lot."

3. Anika Noni Rose, The Quad

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"Hopefully I’ll be laughing a lot, saving some money in cash, paying close attention, hopefully be able to nurture a lot of children and get them ready to save us, reading more news than watching, because I can’t do that anymore, and I’ll be working more in my field to create stories that please me and move a narrative that I’m excited about, and talk about populations that aren’t being respected right now."

4. Jay Ellis, Insecure

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"A lot of prayer, a lot of hope, and hopefully getting the word out that we can unify and make it through the next four years together."

5. Kofi Siriboe, Queen Sugar

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"Self-awareness — working on myself physically, emotionally, and spiritually — so I can be ready for whatever they throw our way. Digging deep and figuring out what I need to do to be the best for my community and then sharing that with my community. We can only talk so much about what’s being done to us, and I don’t like playing victim, so just really taking initiative and being creative and taking things into account."

6. Cory Hardrict, American Sniper

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"I take it one day at a time. God is in control — I’m not really worried. The right thing will happen in the right time. The world deserves great love, and that’s going to happen, I believe. No one can stop that — the White House can’t stop that."

7. Debra Lee, CEO of BET

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"I plan to stay close to people I love, fight for causes I believe in, and not let this president take us back. It's important for us not to go backwards...we made a lot of progress with Obama, so we have to take him [Trump] with each fight. We can’t give in to the craziness."

8. Veronica Webb, Model

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"Well, I think that the smartest thing you can do is 1) read and know the Constitution, and 2) never forget that this is a country that was built on a Constitution that has laws, and we can build, have, do, make, create, achieve anything you want, but you have to put your nose to the grindstone and work for it."

9. Jason George, Grey's Anatomy

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"I plan on spending the next four years fighting for the things I've always believed in — diversity, equality, inclusion, social justice, and commonsense gun laws. Trump and his administration are an afterthought, an obstacle we'll have to go through, over, or around to achieve these goals which will improve the lives of our citizens and bring America closer to fulfilling its promise and full potential. I will continue to donate my time, my money, and my vote to organizations, political parties, individuals, and candidates that pursue these goals as well. Also, I will continue to support the free press that is so essential to our democracy by continuing my subscriptions to several major newspapers and magazines that help ensure the transparency that every American should demand.

"I will continue to fly my flag in front of my house because I love my country and believe in the saying 'America, love it or leave it.' I love it, so I won't leave. In fact, I love it so much I won't leave it alone. Like a family member, I won't let it continue to make mistakes that may eventually kill it or ruin its incredible potential. Racism, xenophobia, misogyny, homophobia are all diseases, like addiction. Protests and activism are the intervention you perform for your loved one."

10. Chandler Kinney, Lethal Weapon (TV Show)

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"I will not lose my voice and I will stand by you (no matter your ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, faith, etc.). I plan to get involved in my community, donating time and money to wonderful organizations who are advocates for inclusion, diversity, and taking care of those whose needs are not being taken care of. I plan to utilize social media to promote love and light, and reach out to those who feel disenfranchised. As these years unfold, I hope we all speak out for what is right with a little more love in our voices. And most of all, I hope we all remember that disagreement is not the same as hate."

11. Prentice Penny, Showrunner for Insecure

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"I just want the stuff I do to mean something. We get to do that a lot with Insecure. Personally, I’m a father trying to raise three conscious, woke children who are aware of what’s going on in the world. That’s the most important thing I think I can do."

12. F. Gary Gray, Straight Outta Compton

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"I plan on stocking up on canned goods, bottled water, and staying close to my friends. No, I’m going to do what I did to survive the last four years, stock up on canned goods [laughing] — I’m just living in the moment right now. It may sound cliche, but it’s what I’m doing."

13. Pat Cleveland, Model

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"I'm working on myself as far as putting out that energy from the heart, and forget all of this business stuff because we're all the same. Doesn't matter if you have fur and high heels or no fur and high heels. it's just hearts beating, so stick to that, don't for get who you are for real, and don't let the rest of it get to you. When you have to say something, say it. Right?"

Ariane Lange contributed reporting to this post.

CORRECTION

Mar. 01, 2017, at 02:09 AM

A previous version of this post misspelled Kofi Siriboe's name.