Brown Longs for a Different World

“Why is it,� laughs Charnele Brown, “that when a black director makes a film, it’s a black film, but when a white director makes a film, it’s just a film?�

Brown, who plays Kimberly Reese on NBC’s popular sitcom “A Different World,� has spent a lot of time pondering racial inequities in Hollywood. Her tone is light, but the issue is serious: “I would like to play the different kinds of roles Michelle Pfeiffer and Meryl Streep get to play,� she says. “But there’s nothing for me. It’s weird when you (have to ask your agent), ‘Is there anything for me, are there any black films?’ �

Brown, who appeared on Broadway as the first American member of “Sarafina!,� says she has a hard time mimicking the speech and behavior patterns that Hollywood stereotypes as “black.�

“Instead of saying ‘dat,’ I’ll say ‘that,’ � she explains. “I went out for one gig, and they were telling me, ‘You need more pizazz.’ What they really wanted to say was, ‘You need to be more black.’ �

She laughs again. “I can’t even roll my neck,� she says. “It hurts!�

This week, Brown’s character on “A Different World� will also explore stereotypes--in an episode called “Mammy Dearest.�

As far as modern history goes, Brown is optimistic that Hollywood will eventually change. “We are going to change it,� she says of her generation of actors. “We’re not coming in as militants, we’re just going to show we can do it.�