As an actress, sometimes it takes more than developing a character from scratch. In those rare moments, an actress must portray a real-life person. For actress Karimah Westbrook that day came when she accepted the role of Daisy Meyers in the George Clooney directed movie Suburbicon.

by Dana Abercrombie for The Koalition
Photo by Nate Taylor

Opening this Friday, Daisy Myers and her husband William (played by Leith M. Burke) were moved to 43 Deepgreen Lane in Levittown, Pennsylvania, in August 1957 which set off a violent racial conflict that lasted months.

Taking place almost sixty years ago, this African-American couple and their actions draw a strong parallel to the protests in Charlottesville, Virginia.

In Suburbicon, the Myers move into a picture perfect community, setting off racial violence the town has never seen before. As Daisy faces racism from the entire town, she remains unwavering in the basic human right to live wherever she wants.

The Koalition had an opportunity to speak to Westbrook about her role, her acting process and the unknown story of the Myers.

Check out the interview below.