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     Ferociouskitty Veteran Poster Username: Ferociouskitty Post Number: 678 Registered: 02-2008 Rating: N/A |
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| Ferociouskitty Veteran Poster Username: Ferociouskitty Post Number: 679 Registered: 02-2008 Rating: N/A |
Not sure why the URL keeps messing up: 20266223%2C00.html,http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20266223,00.html Tyler Perry: The Controversy Over His Hit Movies ''Madea Goes to Jail'' has grossed more than $75 million to date, but is its creator reinforcing stereotypes? And even if he is, how do you weigh that against the good he's doing? Inside black America's secret culture war By Benjamin Svetkey, Margeaux Watson, Alynda Wheat If you happened to buy a ticket to Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail without knowing what you were getting into, you might think you'd stumbled onto a cheery comedy about an overgrown granny with anger-management issues. A black Mrs. Doubtfire, say, with car chases and reefer jokes. You'd never suspect that you had strayed into the midst of a culture war — one that's been simmering inside the African-American community since before blackface. ''I loved working with Tyler Perry, but he's a controversial, complicated figure,'' says Viola Davis, who costarred in Madea Goes to Jail and recently snagged an Oscar nomination for Doubt. ''People feel the images [in his movies] are very stereotypical, and black people are frustrated because they feel we should be more evolved. But there are very few black images in Hollywood, so black people are going to his movies. That's the dichotomy. Tyler Perry is making money.'' A lot of money. Jail has already earned more than $75 million, making it Perry's highest-grossing film to date. And his seven movies — starting with his 2005 big-screen drag debut as Madea in Diary of a Mad Black Woman — have grossed more than $350 million combined, putting him on track to join John Singleton and Keenen Ivory Wayans as one of the most successful black filmmakers ever. He may already be the most divisive. At a time when Barack Obama is presenting the world with a bold new image of black America, Perry is being slammed for filling his films with regressive, down-market archetypes. In many of his films there's a junkie prostitute, a malaprop-dropping uncle, and Madea, a tough-talking grandma the size of a linebacker (''Jemima the Hutt,'' one character calls her). ''Tyler keeps saying that Madea is based on black women he's known, and maybe so,'' says Donald Bogle, acclaimed author of Toms, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies, & Bucks: An Interpretive History of Blacks in American Films. ''But Madea does have connections to the old mammy type. She's mammy-like. If a white director put out this product, the black audience would be appalled.'' Perry and his supporters disagree, to say the least. ''These stories have come out of my own pain and everything I've been through,'' the director says, referring to his six years of struggle, including three months living in his car in Atlanta, before his plays became such huge hits in Southern black theaters (a.k.a. the chitlin circuit) that even Hollywood couldn't ignore him. ''These characters are simply tools to make people laugh,'' Perry says. ''And I know for a fact that they have helped, inspired, and encouraged millions of people.'' In truth, the films are laced with moral lessons trumpeting forgiveness and personal responsibility. ''He's not out there promoting gangster culture,'' says Vicangelo Bulluck, executive director of the NAACP's Hollywood bureau. ''If anything, he's trying to make us think about family values.'' Nor is every African-American cultural critic up in arms over Perry's caricatures. ''Comedy and stereotypes go hand in hand,'' notes Nelson George, author of Blackface: Reflections on African Americans and the Movies and the memoir City Kid. ''That's why intellectuals have a hard time with humor." But it isn't just the stereotypes in Perry's movies that trouble his detractors. It's also what they consider to be his plantation-era attitudes about class. ''All of his productions demonize educated, successful African-Americans,'' says Todd Boyd, professor of critical studies at USC School of Cinematic Arts. ''It's a demonization that has long existed in certain segments of the black community.'' The schism reaches back to the days of ''house'' and ''field'' slaves — when the first African-Americans were segregated even from one another — and persists today in distinctions between light- and dark-skinned blacks. ''Tyler Perry is simply reflecting the thinking of a lot of uneducated, working-class African-Americans,'' Boyd says. In Madea Goes to Jail, for instance, the ambitious light-skinned female district attorney (Ion Overman) who puts Madea behind bars is not only a snob but a conniving, corrupt criminal. The most sympathetic character, by contrast, turns out to be a darker-skinned, strung-out prostitute (Keshia Knight Pulliam). The upscale African-Americans who rent a ski cabin together in the drama Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married? aren't all amoral elitists, but the pattern recurs in Perry's comedies: In Diary of a Mad Black Woman, the successful black businessman (Steve Harris) is a wife abuser, and in Tyler Perry's Madea's Family Reunion, the social-climbing mother-in-law (Lynn Whitfield) gets sneered at by Madea for committing the ultimate sin of trying to look ''bourgie,'' as in bourgeois. ''Tyler Perry understands that much of his audience is African-American women — the most ignored group in Hollywood — so he's doing movies that speak to them,'' Bogle says. ''You could see these films as parables or fables. There's a black prince figure who shows up for black women who've been frustrated, unhappy, or abused.'' That's the real reason critics don't like Perry's movies, says Nelson George: They're made for churchgoing, working-class black women, not urban hipsters (or tenured professors). ''Tyler Perry speaks to a constituency that is not cool,'' George says. ''There's nothing cutting-edge about the people who like Tyler Perry. So, for a lot of other people, it's like, 'What is this thing that's representing black people all over the world? I don't like it. It doesn't represent me.'' Right now, there are still so few consistent, high-profile representations of African-Americans in film — Will Smith and Denzel Washington are pretty much it — that Perry has a near monopoly on the depiction of American black life on screen. That gives him power beyond the images he puts in his movies; it makes him the top employer of black actors in Hollywood (not to mention Atlanta, where he owns a 200,000-square-foot production house, which also produces his TV sitcom, Tyler Perry's House of Payne). In other words, if you're an African-American actor, he's the biggest boss in town, which may explain the reluctance of so many black actors, even those who've appeared in his films, to talk about Perry on the record. Nine of them declined to be interviewed for this story. ''There just aren't a lot of roles out there for black actors, and even fewer for black actresses, so if someone is going to give you a job, you're going to do it, even if you think it's substandard,'' Viola Davis says. Besides, she adds, ''the roles for black women in Tyler Perry movies are sometimes better than the roles in higher-quality movies. They're more realized, more fleshed out.'' Jenifer Lewis, who costarred in Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns and in Family Reunion, puts it more directly. ''Tyler treats us like queens,'' she says. ''He is so gracious, you have no idea. He's writing about the black experience, and he allows us to express that. He's bringing jobs into the community.'' Perry himself is keenly aware of the responsibilities resting on his shoulders. And while his critics aren't likely to hurt business — two more movies have just been greenlit by Lionsgate, including a sequel to Why Did I Get Married? — the filmmaker also doesn't want to be hemmed in by race. Lately, in fact, he's been taking cues from a certain law professor who recently got a job on Pennsylvania Avenue. ''After Obama became president, I realized that black people could not have put him in the White House — it had to be a collective effort of everybody in the country,'' Perry says. ''My fan base crosses all ages, all cultures, all classes. I won't be forced to just do Madea. There's no way I'm going to do that.'' And that's change that (almost) everyone can believe in. | ||
| Chrishayden "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Chrishayden Post Number: 7857 Registered: 03-2004 Rating: N/A |
If you see Tyler Perry as just entertainment I see no problem. I don't see why Black women ain't insulted, but if they ain't I ain't. | ||
| Ferociouskitty Veteran Poster Username: Ferociouskitty Post Number: 680 Registered: 02-2008 Rating: N/A |
I don't see why Black women ain't insulted, but if they ain't I ain't. Some are. Some ain't. ;-) I don't take anything he does personally enough to be insulted. | ||
| Chrishayden "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Chrishayden Post Number: 7860 Registered: 03-2004 Rating: N/A |
I don't take anything he does personally enough to be insulted (I mean, it is just possible that somebody could take all Black women, especially mature black women, as foul mouthed, violent masculine harridans who must be avoided at all costs from these movies-- But we're too grown up for that, aren't we?) | ||
| Ferociouskitty Veteran Poster Username: Ferociouskitty Post Number: 681 Registered: 02-2008 Rating: N/A |
But we're too grown up for that, aren't we?) No, it could happen. While Tyler Perry's images/portrayals don't "insult" me (maybe it's just semantics with me; I think of an "insult" as more of a personal thing), I don't find them particularly interesting or funny, and I agree that they are well-worn and stereotypical. I don't think we'll ever get rid of cultural, racial, gender-based stereotypes. The best we can do is not support those that we find problematic, and, in extreme cases, encourage others to withhold their support as well (i.e., boycotting advertisers, etc). Plus there's always censorship. Should Tyler Perry be censored? I don't think so. Do I wish other black films without the stereotypes got the studio-backing, distribution, and audience support that his films get? Absolutely. But to the extent that an artist can find enough of an audience (a paying one) that appreciates his/her work, stereotypes and all, then that artist will flourish. Majority rules...but I'm thankful for the freedom to dissent. | ||
| Troy AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Troy Post Number: 1722 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Does anyone doubt this for a split second? If not, why is it OK for Tyler Perry to make these films and not a Woodie Allen? I was in Jackson Hole Wyoming recently. I did not see another black person the whole time I was there, however the local theater was playing Madea goes to Jail. Obviously white folks enjoy our buffoonery as much as we do – perhaps more so. This article does help me understand why women seem to like Perry's flicks so much. The formula is the same as a romance novel; plenty of drama, a brother saves the day, despite initiation rejection from our victimized heroine, and a happy ending where the evil get what they deserve and the good live happily ever after. I plan to see the move, just have not gotten around to it – trying to see the Watchmen in Imax first. | ||
| Ferociouskitty Veteran Poster Username: Ferociouskitty Post Number: 682 Registered: 02-2008 Rating: N/A |
If not, why is it OK for Tyler Perry to make these films and not a Woodie Allen? Because it's the equivalent of an inside joke. It's okay if we tell it, but the white man better not tell it...or laugh. Same with "n*gger". "Are you laughing at us...or with us?" That question damn-near drove Dave Chappelle insane, reportedly, and brought an end to his show. So...black folks who enjoy TP can safely assume that he is laughing with them. A Woody Allen...not so much. | ||
| Carey AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Carey Post Number: 1811 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
I have to look deep inside myself on this issue. I get mad evrytime I hear somebody say something good about a Tyler Perry film. here's my dilemma ...My uncle was the actor that played the part of the notorious Kingfish from the old Amos & Andy series, and I thought that was hilarious ...still do, I have all the episodes. What am I feeling with this Perry thang. Look, there's nothing funny about a house full of men gawking at an underaged little girl ...whats the message? Women should be insulted unless they are comfortable with hearing things that make them feel good ...lie to me softly ...think about that one. Maybe this is it in the nutshell.... "They're made for churchgoing, working-class black women, not urban hipsters (or tenured professors). ''Tyler Perry speaks to a constituency that is not cool,'' George says. ''There's nothing cutting-edge about the people who like Tyler Perry. So, for a lot of other people, it's like, 'What is this thing that's representing black people all over the world? I don't like it. It doesn't represent me.'' Now of course there's a certain image the writer is projecting with his take on "churchgoing" but most understand the tone of his words. I think Troy hit on a very important point. If Mr. White Man was making money off of this type of movie, what would we hear? Where is A_womon? | ||
| Carey AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Carey Post Number: 1812 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
"Safely assume he is laughing with us" That's like Sweet D**k Willie laughing when he lets Ho'ish Hellen out on the Ho stroll. "Just get my money Bi*ch .....hahahahaha, am laughing with ya baby" | ||
| Ferociouskitty Veteran Poster Username: Ferociouskitty Post Number: 683 Registered: 02-2008 Rating: N/A |
Look, there's nothing funny about a house full of men gawking at an underaged little girl ...whats the message? I agree, Carey. What film was this in? | ||
| Ferociouskitty Veteran Poster Username: Ferociouskitty Post Number: 684 Registered: 02-2008 Rating: N/A |
That's like Sweet D**k Willie laughing when he lets Ho'ish Hellen out on the Ho stroll. Carey, I'm giving my understanding of the mindset (answering Troy's question)--I'm not embracing it. It doesn't matter to me if Tyler Perry or the next person is laughing at or with "us"--I don't find "it" funny in the first place. | ||
| Carey AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Carey Post Number: 1814 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
Gotcha! I just could resist being me *smile*. I knew where you was coming from. Just like I think I know where ol'Chris is coming from. That boy is a mess. He scares me. There are not to many people I am affraid to scuffle with on this board but he'll make you bring your A game because he might throw the toilet bowl atcha. I am still reeling from his reference of me as an old colored fellow standing in a cornfield. He did even throw me some toilet paper. I had to use a corn stalk  . | ||
| Troy AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Troy Post Number: 1724 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Ferociouskitty, can it fall under the province of an "inside joke" if it is playing to white audiences in Wyoming and acroos America? Seeking comment from Perry and anyone else making money on these flicks is pointless. Anyone making money from these films will of course find a billon and one ways to justify and rationalize it. Did we not hear similar refrains about gangster rap telling the stories of an ignored minority, while ignoring all of the negative consequences. We all know the primary motivator is the money, power and fame these movies bring Perry; as it was for the purveyors of gangster rap. How would y'all react if Tyler Perry were asked, "Why do you make these movies?" and instead of serving up the familiar, "I do it because I want to inspire people... blah, blah, blah...", and instead he said, "I do if cause it makes me rich and powerful". OK maybe the last bit was a little cynical on my part, but you get my drift. Tyler clearly has no concern about the negative imagery of Black folks he is promulgating across the planet. Honestly I don't think it is worthy of concern Perry's stuff is pretty innocuous. Perry Interviews on AALBC.com http://reviews.aalbc.com/tyler_perry1.htm http://reviews.aalbc.com/tyler_perry.htm | ||
| Ferociouskitty Veteran Poster Username: Ferociouskitty Post Number: 685 Registered: 02-2008 Rating: N/A |
Troy, we're on the same page. The folks who have the "laughing with us" mentality (not me!), probably don't care about what white folks see/think, or haven't given it a thought at all. Honestly I don't think it is worthy of concern Perry's stuff is pretty innocuous. Yeah, but Carey mentioned something about an underaged girl that I wasn't aware of... | ||
| Abm "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Abm Post Number: 10274 Registered: 04-2004 Rating: N/A |
I don't care how he tries to cover it up: That Madea stuff is coonery plain and simple. But because I have friends and family who work and perform in TV, radio, cinema, I can't help appreciating how what Perry does employ so many Black artists. My only REAL problem with Perry is not Perry work itself but rather how it is becoming the DOMINANT mode of Black-made cinema and TV. It's sorta like how I feel about thug/gangsta rap: It really only became a problem for me when mo-phos like Snoop Dowg and Fitty Cents started becoming +100 million dollar cultural icons and sheht. I think its a REAL problem that the world's biggest Black female movie star is actually a swinging dykk in drag. | ||
| Carey AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Carey Post Number: 1815 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
Kitty ...there was a part in one of his movies when a young girl (seemingly underage) walked through a crowd of hungry wolf looking black men ...she might have even been a relatives ...they looked like a bunch of pepe' le'phews. On the surface that may appear to some as innocent. But I was hit with this by a women that advocates for the protection of or young black women. What was the innocent message? Rape among black women are frequently done at the hands of a family member or a friend of the family. Who's not being stimulated ...people laughed ...what were they laughing at??? Were they laughing because they can relate to the situation or know of others that have picked the grapes to early? Whos innocence are we talking about ...Troy? Do we even need to talk about the numerous scenes of the old man smoking weed? Dont get me started on how innocent this is ...NOT! Pretty innocuous ....BULL SHIT! | ||
| Ferociouskitty Veteran Poster Username: Ferociouskitty Post Number: 686 Registered: 02-2008 Rating: |
Thanks, Carey. That definitely reflects a reality in our community. It wasn't something I liked dealing with when I was "underaged" and *big* fr my age (*shudder at the memories*), and it's definitely not something I want to see passed off in a movie as comedy. | ||
| Troy AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Troy Post Number: 1727 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: |
Carey, I recall that scene quite vividly because I thought it was so strange. I think it was meant to be funny, but it was somewhat disgusting. I would have cut that scene out of the movie. The fact that scene was in the movie tells us something about Perry’s mentality. That said Carey, I’m not going to base the sum of Perry work on a 60 seconds of one flick – or even one whole flick. When I wrote “innocuous” I meant that to mean relatively harmless. Which I still assert Perry films are. Abm you can’t have it both ways; on one hand be happy Perry is providing so much work and on the other hand complain about damaging impact of the output. That is the same argument used by people who buy stolen goods, or illegal drugs to justify their actions: sure there is a monetary benefit to them, but is it really worth the cost to society and themselves in the long term? I know a guy who brought 4 Michelin tires (obviously hot) off a guy in the street. When he got to his car he realized the tires he brought came off HIS own car -- true story. | ||
| Ferociouskitty Veteran Poster Username: Ferociouskitty Post Number: 687 Registered: 02-2008 Rating: N/A |
My only REAL problem with Perry is not Perry work itself but rather how it is becoming the DOMINANT mode of Black-made cinema and TV. Let the church say... | ||
| Carey AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Carey Post Number: 1819 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
"My only REAl problem with Perry is not Perry work itself but rather how it is becoming the DOMINANT mode of Black-made cinema and TV" Preach brotha preach "I think its a REAL problem that the world's biggest Black female movie star is actually a swinging dykk in drag" LoL ....you're on a roll! | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 13598 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
I don't have any strong convictions about this subject. Tyler Perry is a shining example of the supply and demand principle. He has found his niche and turned it into a gold mine by providing a product for which there is an audience. He does have his counterparts in the white film industry; people who gear their movies to a certain a demographic. There's Adam Sandler and the idiotic "guy-films" he produces and stars in. Then they're the directors who specialize in the bloody slasher films that appeal to the "loved-to-be-scared" crowd of young pop corn consumers. You could even say the Disney and Pixar studios and their animated features belong to this genre. Maybe Tyler Perry should not be referred to as a "black movie mogul" but should be labeled a purveyor of trite romances and low comedy that have broad appeal. Whatever. "Ya pays yer money, ya takes yer choice." Because I don't identify with the characters, I exercise my option to bypass his films. But if one comes on TV, I might watch it and chuckle at its absurdiity. Can we presume that the President of the United States and his sophisticated peers provide an anti-dote to the stereotypes of Tyler Perry's fertile mind. | ||
| Robynmarie Veteran Poster Username: Robynmarie Post Number: 904 Registered: 04-2006 Rating: N/A |
Hate to be the one to say it, but most women and girls black or white are raped by someone they know... Also, if you listen carefully to Madea's rantings, she is very anti-religion, church. | ||
| Abm "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Abm Post Number: 10278 Registered: 04-2004 Rating: N/A |
I’m not necessarily lamenting Perry’s "impact" as much as I am his ubiquity. Although, I suppose, the former and the latter are hand & glove. I think as long as there are Black foks in this country, there will exist those who financially capitalize upon the perpetual popularity of kneegrow buffoonery. I mostly just accept that as being an inevitable part of our unique history and existence. And if I appreciate a few foks I know make enuff money from some coonery to help finance their kids Howard and Hampton tuitions. Well, hey, call me a hypocrite. Still, I don't think it to be ethically duplicitous to allow SOME of some things that may be somewhat lacking in redeeming value. I guess consider what Tyler Perry does (and Black coonery overall) to be akin to, say, McDonald’s: It’s cool to eat some of it every now and then. But you don’t want the sheht to be your daily MAIN meal. | ||
| Troy AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Troy Post Number: 1730 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
ABM I guess the ethical duplicity comes in when you complain about the movies -- even their dominance in the market place. High brow (for lack of a better praise) will NEVER dominate. What will dominate will be the stuff that appeals to the broadest audience. Besides there are so many alternatves, it is not like Perry is the only one making movies... Plus, making a good movie is really very difficult -- The Perry style coonin' flicks are more easily made and less risky at the box office (and lets not forget those Hampton tuition payments that get made). | ||
| Abm "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Abm Post Number: 10281 Registered: 04-2004 Rating: N/A |
Troy, As a fan of Black cinema it disturbs me that a transexual (and let's be real Madea and Tyler Perry fans, that WTF Tyler Perry IS) has apparently ascended to the heights of the business. But I would likely decry a surfeit of ANY sort of cinema. And while I don't care much for what Tyler does, I don't view it to be in and itself devil spawn. Again, it is to me the cinematic equivalent of a Big Mac...It's junk food, nothing better but not really much worse. And I agree that - like Big Macs - junk media SELLS to the wider, broader audiences. So as long as kneegrows cackle to and collectively pay millions to witness a growna$sed Black man wearing a flowered dress, there will be brothas like Perry willing to publicly coon around in flowered dresses. 'Cause ponying up the dough to pay college tuition, books, room and board is a b*tch these days, brougham. | ||
| Troy AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Troy Post Number: 1734 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
ABM why does this suprise you?. You outta know by now how much we like to see Black men in drag (alla Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence) the fatter, and crasser the better. Flip Wolson just popped into my head thinking about this. I don't know but Flip seemed to have about as much "class" doing this type of routine as one can have. Geraldine had 'tude, but it was not to base ask the "guys" doing drag today. Then again everything is more base now. | ||
| Chrishayden "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Chrishayden Post Number: 7865 Registered: 03-2004 Rating: N/A |
If a white director put out this product, the black audience would be appalled. Does anyone doubt this for a split second? (Not for a minute. But then again when a black person calls me a nigga I ain't offended either. I am still reeling from his reference of me as an old colored fellow standing in a cornfield (I believe the exact quote was that you had left Mississippi one step ahead of a lynch mob--which to me is a badge of honor, seeing as how one of my family's patriarchs Got Nawth the same way) I was in Jackson Hole Wyoming recently. I did not see another black person the whole time I was there, (You HAD to work that in here someplace, didn't you?) however the local theater was playing Madea goes to Jail. Obviously white folks enjoy our buffoonery as much as we do – perhaps more so. (Do you not know about Minstrel shows of the 19th century? The dig it so much they black up and do it themselves. We are good at it. It is a double edged sword.) | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 13615 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
You have interesting things to say, Chrishayden. It's too bad you never supply a frame of reference and quotation marks so it will be easier for readers to figure out which are your comments and who it is that you are are responding to. You always assume that we are automatically on your wave length. | ||
| Chrishayden "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Chrishayden Post Number: 7868 Registered: 03-2004 Rating: N/A |
Maybe you could be my editor., hmmm? You could go back through, use some interesting fonts, clean it up. UP YOU MIGHTY BLACK RACE!!! | ||
| Abm "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Abm Post Number: 10287 Registered: 04-2004 Rating: N/A |
What never ceases to amaze me is how Black women often appear so much more entertained by drag and tranny performances than Black men are. No way Madea would be the cultural icon '(s)he' has become sans the near-ubiquitous support of Black FEMALE fans. Yet, almost EVERYTHING Madea does appear to smear and ridicule the persona, character and behavior of many Black women. *shrugs* | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 13617 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Madea is not viewed by black woman as a drag or tranny character. Madea is, after all, a contraction of the words, "mother dear", a term of endearment many southern and tranplanted southern women use when referring to their grandmothers. Madea reminds them of these well seasoned family matriarchs who, altho loving and nurturning, "don't take no stuff". Everybody knows a Madea-type. Watching a Madea movie puts many women in a comfort zone because the humor is simple and the plots uncomplicated, - the same reasons many males never tire of watching 3 Stooges movies. | ||
| Carey AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Carey Post Number: 1834 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
Let's look at this again. ABM: "What never ceases to amaze me is how Black women often appear so much more entertained by drag and tranny performances than Black men are. No way Madea would be the cultural icon '(s)he' has become sans the near-ubiquitous support of Black FEMALE fans." Yep ....he's right. Rub it ...smack it ...flip it around, cynique. He is still right ...regardless how you try to joke it with them stooges. The state remains true ... "No way Madea would be the cultural icon '(s)he' has become sans the near-ubiquitous support of Black FEMALE fans" | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 13618 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
But why is it amazing that certain black women relate to Madea since she represents a familiar family figure And, incidentally, I reject the label "cultural icon". Puleeze. Only a modest segmenty of black people idolize Madea. It just so happens that those who like her are willing to pay to see her. | ||
| Chrishayden "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Chrishayden Post Number: 7869 Registered: 03-2004 Rating: N/A |
What never ceases to amaze me is how Black women often appear so much more entertained by drag and tranny performances than Black men are (It's simply entertainment to them. They aren't threatened by these images, the image of the feminized male seen as the symbol of colonial domination--there is a political biological dynamic that is missing from their scenarios and world view. Perhaps, on a psychosocial level they get a little thrill out of seeing a male reduced to their level--see? This is proof of the existence of a male superiority dynamic, because even females see what should be nuetral or honorable--more than half the world is female so you must admit, even on a level up to the geopolitical, that homo sapies is mostly female. Plus women are just more open, on the whole, to people who practice lifestyles different than their own using a more rational analysis that judges a person by the level of reward they get from the other's association-- Madea has been accepted by society. Even those of us who wonder at the popularity of it as we realize that it is inevitable--audiences see Tyler Perry entertainmetn as fun entertainment. They are burning no houses, misreating no kids or stealing folks pensions. I am not a fan, but at the present I have to brook no objection. | ||
| Ntfs_encryption "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Ntfs_encryption Post Number: 3591 Registered: 10-2005 Rating: N/A |
”Does anyone doubt this for a split second? ” Not if they have a brain…… ”If not, why is it OK for Tyler Perry to make these films and not a Woodie Allen? ” It would not be OK. Blacks are given unquestioned authority and unconditional approval to make fools and idiots of themselves. No one will question it (why should they??). At least not on a massive majority response. Everyone either knows of a Negro or has heard of a Negro that Tyler Perry depicts in his movies. There are no non-existent stereotypes in his movies. Just outrageous characters that we all personally know exist but privately shudder about when knowing that a world of non-blacks (many who have never met a black person in their life –don’t forget, these movies are shown internationally!) are laughing at them. Dave Chapelle portrayed black people in a way a non-black person would have been allowed to. EVERYONE KNOWS THIS. It’s all part of the much revered and fanatically protected double standard (e.g. Negroes will instinctively and constantly use the epithet “n!gger” with zero impunity while a non-black, under no circumstances –is allowed to do the same). ”I was in Jackson Hole Wyoming recently. I did not see another black person the whole time I was there, however the local theater was playing Madea goes to Jail. Obviously white folks enjoy our buffoonery as much as we do – perhaps more so. ” Ya got that right!!! ”This article does help me understand why women seem to like Perry's flicks so much. The formula is the same as a romance novel; plenty of drama, a brother saves the day, despite initiation rejection from our victimized heroine, and a happy ending where the evil get what they deserve and the good live happily ever after. ” I agree. You are absolutely correct. That is why I have found Negro criticism of his movies to be so hypocritical and disingenuous. ”I plan to see the move, just have not gotten around to it – trying to see the Watchmen in Imax first.” I saw it and laughed my butt off. Plan to see it again……. |
