L. Burner, Director of The Rise of Eve Documentary, Talks To Dangerous Lee About Her #MeToo Moments

HEAD PHOTO: Dangerous Lee and L. Burner at the NYC red carpet premiere of The Rise of Eve, July 2018.

The Rise of Eve is a documentary film by L. Burner that examines sexual persecution and violence against women throughout history within various cultures that places the blame of the existence of evil solely on the Eve figure from the Christian bible. It also takes a look at modern day victim blaming and systematic misogyny in music and media.

Black Girls Allowed is proud to be the sponsor of this controversial film. Read along as L. Burner asks Dangerous Lee about her personal experiences with sexism and her opinion of the film.

https://youtu.be/Tvv7HV20Y5k

L. Burner: What are your thoughts on The Rise of Eve?

Dangerous Lee: The Rise of Eve is a long overdue film that everyone should have a chance to see because it holds a mirror to how badly men behave, think about, and treat women. There’s no way you can see this film and not be affected. I found it to be very validating. I look forward to seeing the next films in the series.

L. Burner: How and why did you get involved?

Dangerous Lee: There’s was no way I wasn’t going to get involved with this film. I didn’t even need to see it first because I knew that it was important and would be powerful. I got involved because I believe in the message of the film and like most women, I am fed up with the sexism and misogyny that women are expected to accept and have had to deal with since the beginning of time.

L. Burner: Do you consider yourself an activist and what causes are you passionate about?

Dangerous Lee: I do consider myself an online activist. I’ve signed hundreds of petitions on both the Change.org and the Color of Change platforms. As a Black woman I am most passionate about any cause that is geared towards empowering or lifting Black people, especially women. Hince why I created this website. I am also an ally to the LGBTQ community. I’m someone who believes that injustice anywhere should be fought against.

L. Burner: Tell us about some of your jobs and experiences in entertainment?

Dangerous Lee: I’ve worked for others in the radio, television, and music industries. I look back on a lot of my experiences in each position and I can clearly see now that sexism as well as racism have played a huge part in why I was unable to reach higher levels in my career. From not being given a well deserved or well earned raise, to being unjustly fired, to being body shamed (my cleavage was a problem), to working for men (Black and White) who believe it’s okay to talk about and treat the women who work for them like shit and pay them less.

L. Burner: Have you ever experienced sexism in the industry or had any personal experiences with sexism/abuse?

Dangerous Lee: Of course I have. I was sexually molested as a child, more than once by more than one man. I remember having my ass grabbed and bra strap pulled a lot in junior high. I always wore a long coat or baggy clothes to protect myself. As an adult I have experienced sexism and misogyny over and over again from strangers, family members, friends of the family, co-workers, and so called friends. I feel like being born a girl means that you are guaranteed to experience sexism and misogyny in one form or another. Like racism, sexism is an ugly and permanent part of our culture worldwide.

L. Burner: What do you think of The #MeToo movement?

Dangerous Lee: I support it. I’m happy it exists. I’m a part of it. I am a woman so I am all for the #MeToo and #TimesUp movement. I look forward to the positive changes it will make for women everywhere in the future.

L. Burner: What do you see in the future for Black Girls Allowed?

Dangerous Lee: I do hope that you and I can continue our partnership and I do see extreme growth for the network but I believe that it will take longer that I would like for it to happen. What that will look like, I don’t know, and I don’t want to assume or try to predict. It may be something that I leave as a legacy to my daughter.

I am open to exactly what that growth may look like. The work I do can lead to many avenues and opportunities. I have learned that you can work, plan, and hope until the cows come home but life has a way of taking a totally different direction that you intended.

I do hope to invest in other Black women owned businesses and I will continue to elevate Black women as long as I live through this platform and beyond.