Since Tyler Perry Is A Black Man Is It Right Or Wrong That He Is Directing The Film For Colored Girls?

On the internet some black feminists are upset that Tyler Perry will be directing the film “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf.”

I am conflicted that Tyler Perry is directing the play. Of course, I am very happy that a serious drama about black women will be made into a feature film to reach the masses. I believe strongly that talented black actresses are often ignored in Hollywood and relegated to being the margins.

Perry recently announced the cast for the film which includes: Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Whoopi Goldberg, Kimberly Elise, Kerry Washington, Jill Scott, Phylicia Rashad, Jumee Smollett, and Macy Gray.

The cast list looks good because Goldberg, Elise, Rashad, and Washington are serious actresses. However, Janet Jackson, Jill Scott, Mariah Carey, and Macy Gray are singers? Is this right why were they chosen? I am asking a serious question here!

I haven’t seen Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Jill Scott, or Macy Gray in any film to suggest they are serious actresses. The subversive message for this movie is clearly “brand marketing”.

Will Carey, Jackson, Gray, and Scott do a good job or will they destroy this film? The seriousnes of this movie demands actresses that have extraordinary talent.

Jackson, Carey, Scott, and Gray  are singers and already have “an audience” this is the reason Perry cast them for the film. But is this right?

Meanwhile, I am concerned about the talented black women in Hollywood that work hard at the craft of acting yet never get a big break.

What about these black women?  Jumee Smolett is the only cast member under the age of thirty she is also not a star.

I am pleased that this movie is being made because we need more entertainment produced about the black women’s experience. However, I am a bit nervous that Perry is directing the film. I wonder why Perry was chosen? Maybe, Tyler Perry was chosen due to his star power but he is not a woman.

African American feminist Ntozake Shange wrote and produced the play in 1975 specifically to address the racism and sexism black women experience in America. Shange’s play won a plethora of awards and is a Broadway classic.

The play is a  specifically about the black female experience. The play is a serious drama dealing with topics such as rape and abortion.

I can understand why some black women are upset that a feature film is going to be made about their experiences and a black man is directing the play. Did Ms. Shange sell out for the almighty dollar?

Since Tyler Perry is a male he doesnt’ know the “nuances” of women experiences. Is it  right or wrong that Tyler Perry is directing this film?