Hi Meltingpot Readers,
Sadly, babygirl and I are battling a nasty snotty virus. But I didn't want to leave you with nothing to chew today. Check out the following news clip that comes after it was recently announced that Tyler Perry is the richest man in Hollywood! Say what? Yes. So does he speak for Black America or is he as Toure says in the clip, "malt liquor for the masses?" Take a peek and let me know what you think.
Peace!
4 comments:
I'm disturbed by the misogynistic messages in his movies, especially the most recent one where all the black women in the film are ornery and there is nothing positive about them. And then all the black men were portrayed as blindly in love with these women and almost universally weak. A bad message overall, as if to say black men try so hard to love these hellish harpies. Even the black mother is a forever-suffering figure who dies without the love and appreciation of her children. The only positive female character in the stage play was completely eliminated from the film. But even she is criticized for not having a man despite her devotion to God and Jesus in the play version of Medea's Big Happy Family. And I hated the scene in The Family That Preys where Sanaa Lathan's character is smacked across a fucking table. Somehow that's okay to a person like Perry. And of course very rarely are interracial relationships portrayed and when they are it's mostly for comical effect or demonizing one or both partners. The only good interracial portrayal was between Taraji P. Henson and a Latino or Spaniard actor.
I don't think any black person, no matter how successful they are, can represent the black community as a whole. We come from different walks of life and have had different experiences that shape who we are.
Yes, some of the images that Tyler Perry portrays may be demeaning to black people, but most of his movies do have a message of loving yourself for who you are and not caring what other people think. I like and respect Tyler Perry for following his dream and not backing down when the entertainment industry, black and white critics alike, told him he'd never make it. From humble beginnings, he's made a name for himself without sacrificing his morals.
On another note, I've just read Kinky Gazpacho and I loved it. The story was so close to my heart. I understood being the only black girl in class and and not being black enough to be apart of the "black crowd."
My love of Latino language and culture took me to Mexico and I exerienced a lot of the same racial issues. Because of that, my passion for the culture dissipated, but it's slowly coming back. Thank you so much for writing this book! I would love to see it turned into a film.
no black person represents me, not perry not hermann cain or michael steele or even spike lee.
i represent myself.
Marona,
Thanks for the commentary. Clearly you've thought about this and have strong feelings. I'm sure many agree.
Jamee,
Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed Kinky G.
LED,
Amen. Well said.
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