Jensen Atwood May Not Return For Noah’s Arc Movie?
I just heard that Jensen Atwood the gorgeous talented actor from Noah’s Arc may not return for the movie. According, to Jensen’s Myspace blog, he says that he isn’t certain if he will return for the film. The rumor is that Shemar Moore may replace Jensen. Isn’t Shemar Moore kind of old the guy is almost forty?
Of course, Shemar Moore is attractive , but he’s not very good at romantic comedies his acting comes across as stale, dry, lacking layers, complexity, and wooden.When people think of Shemar Moore, they think he’s an attractive man nobody thinks he’s a solid dramatic actor.
If Shemar doesn’t get his act together when his looks fade he may be out of work. Shemar has always been typecast in just about every movie he’s been in as the hot guy. Perhaps, Shemar wants to be in the Noah’s Arc movie to demonstrate he has range?
The character Wade, on Noah’s Arc, is a tough role in relation to acting. Wade has a strong masculinity yet he is also vulnerable. Shemar Moore never impressed me with his acting. I just don’t think Shemar has the range or talent to pull this performance off.
Also would Shemar be comfortable kissing another black man? Shouldn’t a younger actor such as Jensen Atwood be cast? Also, isn’t Shemar upset about the so called gay rumors? Wouldn’t the gay rumors just fuel the fire if Shemar was starring in the Noah’s Arc movie?
The quandary, for the Noah’s Arc movie, is how can the film reach a larger audience? LOGO wants the movie to make money but I am not sure Shemar Moore is “famous” enough anyway to attract a larger audience anyway. Shemar Moore has been on a few soaps, a few supporting roles in films, and on a CBS show “Criminal Intent” but he’s never been a leading man.
Gay people already know about Noah’s Arc and perhaps a few heterosexual women. However, the dilemma for the marketing team for the Noah’s Arc movie is how can the movie grow and reach other demographics? Can Noah’s Arc reach the lucrative heterosexual black audience such as the Tyler Perry crowd?
The dilemma, for black gay and lesbian entertainment are the barriers in relation to race, gender, and sexual orientation.
Race is an issue, because some people won’t watch the film because it has a black cast. The gender and sexual orientation is another issue because how many black heterosexual women want to watch a movie about black gay men falling in love? How many black heterosexual men would watch the film? Can some black females handle seeing gorgeous and sexy black males kissing on screen? Will it upset them?
I think since Jensen Atwood developed an audience with his character the sexy, mysterious Wade he should be cast in the film. Now of course, this is just my opinion but remember Hollywood is a business and it is profit driven.
Remember earlier this week Sean Combs ruined “A Raisin In The Sun” with his horrible acting? Well the ratings are in and despite Combs ludicrous performance the movie had a respectable ratings of 12.7 million viewers on ABC.
I will admit, I am sure some people tuned in just to see if Combs can act. LOGO doesn’t want the movie to be released in just a few hundred theaters and pull in a low box office. Also, how many people know about Noah’s Arc anyway?
Why Is Playwright Lorraine Hansberry’s Lesbianism Still A Secret In 2008?
The ABC television movie, “A Raisin In The Sun,” will be broadcast on February 25th 2008 at 8:00pm. The television film fulfills the black quota for “black history month”. Pop star Sean Combs. is the protagonist Walter Lee Younger. The title of the movie refers to black gay poet Langston Hughes poem “Harlem”.
African American lesbian playwright Lorraine Hansberry’s legendary play, once again, will be brought back to television to reach a new generation next week. Hansberry was the first black lesbian playwright to have a play produced on Broadway in 1959. “A Raisin In the Sun” was a huge success for Hansberry and launched her career.
The general public of course does not know that Lorraine Hansberry was a lesbian due to homophobia. Why is black lesbianism considered “private” yet “heterosexuality” is a part of the public domain? Although Hansberry married a white Jewish man, Robert Nemiroff in 1953, the couple separated in 1957 and divorced in 1964.Hansberry was conscious of her lesbian identity and she negotiated between the public and private spheres. Black lesbians encountered racism from the mainstream, white gay culture, and also persecution from heterosexual blacks.
Lorraine Hansberry’s lesbian identity emerges from the articles she wrote for the lesbian publication “The Ladder” in the late 1950s. Hansberry did not use her full name when she wrote articles for “The Ladder” she used her initials L.H. instead. In the 1950s, in America, gays and lesbians lived in fear due to witch hunts against homosexuals. Black lesbian women encountered a triple form of oppression in relation to their race, gender, and sexual orientation.
Can you imagine the difficulties black lesbians endured in the 1950s? Homosexuality was still considered a mental illness that can be cured. The topic of human sexuality was still taboo in the 1950s. America was sexually repressed due to heterosexual male domination and male supremacy. The racial and sexual apartheid existed in the United States and black lesbians lived in constant danger due to racism, sexism and homophobia. The civil rights and gay movements did not gather strength until the 1960s.
Black lesbians encountered racism from white lesbians and were barred from entering white lesbian bars and establishments during the 1950s. Black lesbians also endured gender discrimination due to being women and unwanted sexual advances of dangerous, violent, and hostile heterosexual men.
Hansberry was indeed a lesbian but this important component of black queer history should not be erased by the homophobic Occidental world. Heterosexual black publications always ignore the important fact Hansberry was a lesbian. I didn’t know Lorraine Hansberry was a lesbian until I read lesbian activist, feminist, poet, and writer Adrienne Rich’s incisive essay “Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence”. Rich’s analysis is correct society attempts to erase, diminish, and destroy the contributions of lesbians in many ways. I believe the silence about Lorraine Hansberry’s lesbianism is due to the negative attitude that still exists against homosexuals.
Why is the term lesbianism treated like a scatological word? One argument is some straights believe “it doesn’t matter” and if people discover that Lorraine Hansberry was a black lesbian it might “scare people off” from watching the movie. Why is there this invisible code and this silent barrier? If black lesbian emancipation is to occur why is black lesbianism still a social taboo? Society appears to have a love and hate relationship with lesbianism.
The political, cultural, social, and artistic merits of black lesbians such as Lorraine Hansberry must be celebrated and not treated as some shameful abhorrent secret. It is the year 2008 so why are we still reticent? Why hasn’t this final chasm been shattered and the truth still shrouded in silence? Lorraine Hansberry proves that black gay people care about the black community.
Often heterosexual blacks believe black gays and lesbians only focus on sexual orientation and ignore race. Lorraine Hansberry proves through art that she was cognizant of the racial, social and political polemics blacks endured during the civil rights era. “A Raisin In The Sun”, is about a fictional story about a black family struggling to survive in 1950s Chicago at a time when America’s social and racial apartheid was at full strength.
Virtually all the articles published about “A Raisin In The Sun” always mentions Lorraine Hansberry’s race and her gender but excludes her sexual orientation. The question is why? It appears in the year 2008 homophobia reigns supreme. Lesbianism is more then just a sexual act there is more to lesbianism then just sex. Lesbians are women that are not sexually attracted to men but there is an illogical fear of lesbianism in society that lesbians are anti male.
Lorraine Hansberry lived a double life a life where she constantly was in fear that the heterosexist matrix would discriminate against her since she was a black lesbian. The real Lorraine Hansberry is blurred between the printed lines of “A Raisin In The Sun”. The sentences, paragraphs, thoughts, feelings, emotions, and doubt, lives in Lorraine Hansberry’s groundbreaking play. “A Raisin In The Sun” is about emancipation and personal determination I believe this also relates to the struggles gays and lesbians encounter. Perhaps Hansberry used her play as a metaphor to explore the internal struggles she endured during her own life?
Lorraine Hansberry’s incredible groundbreaking play proves that black gay and lesbian people were cognizant of the struggles blacks endured in the mid 20th century. Hansberry wanted to bring a greater awareness to the incredible racism, sexism, and economic discrimination African Americans experienced in the United States.
Lorraine Hansberry is very important she shattered an artistic and cultural barrier in the performing arts. It is such a disservice to ignore Hansberry was a lesbian. Lorraine Hansberry’s lesbian identity should not be concealed in the shadows and be treated as an afterthought. I believe it is imperative, and crucial that there be a dialogue about how Hansberry’s play relates to her lesbian identity. It is simply disgraceful that the mainstream press to ignore and attempt to erase the importance of lesbianism in Lorraine Hansberry’s life and art.
The articles Lorraine Hansberry wrote for “The Ladder” are very passionate and powerful she wrote about the struggles she endured as a black lesbian woman in the mid 20th century. Legendary African American actors Ruby Dee and Sidney Poitier were the stars of the original stage version of the play and the 1961 feature film. Sadly, Lorraine Hansberry died in her prime at the tender age of thirty four in 1965 due to pancreatic cancer. Lorraine Hansberry died at a very young age she was such an incredible talent.
The press have showered the movie with a lot of praise saying the three hour film is a testament of Hansberry’s incredible talent. The cast includes Phylicia Rashad, Sanaa Lathan, Audra McDonald, and the omnipotent Sean Combs. I will admit I might take a peek at the movie. However, I am not impressed that Sean Combs or P Diddy or whatever that guy calls himself is the star of the film. I wanted a younger black male actor to be the star of the movie.
The crisis in black Hollywood is the paucity of film roles available for young black actors. I am sure some black actors are seething right now that Sean Combs is the star of the film. In white Hollywood you rarely ever see a “singer” attain a prestigious movie role these days. Can you imagine Jon Bon Jovi as the star in a movie about Elvis? So why is there a double standard for black Hollywood? Why do untalented bottom feeders such as Sean Combs get to the be star of such an important movie?
I really feel for the talented young black male actors that are training hard at various universities, colleges, theater programs, across North America and the world. The only reason Sean Combs was hired is due to greed. The producers and director behind the television film believe Combs can generate huge ratings for ABC television. ABC television will hype this movie to the maximum I just believe a talented and much younger black actor should of chosen for the male lead.
The lead in “A Raisin In The Sun” Walter Lee Younger is a young black man and Sean Combs is thirty eight years old. Since Combs in thirty eight one argument is he can bring “maturity” to the role. However, I believe the feeling of naivety and optimism is diminished for the character Walter Lee Younger due to Combs advanced age.
A younger black male actor possibly someone between the ages of twenty five to perhaps thirty two should of been chosen for the role. Combs is simply not talented enough and too old for the part. Combs is also a rap artist he’s a wannabe actor he is not a serious dramatic actor. I have so much sympathy for the talented black actors that want to become stars in Hollywood but are not given the opportunity.
Why does Hollywood continue to insult the audience and cast these talentless flakes such as Sean Combs in such prestigious roles? The barriers for black actors in Hollywood are incredible there are limited opportunities to advance up the Hollywood star system. Twenty five years ago perhaps an unknown black male actor would of been chosen for the lead role. Hollywood is profit driven and the ideology is since Sean Combs already is successful in various demographics his fans will fans will flock to watch the movie. However, does talent not matter anymore?
Why do young blacks in Hollywood have to always be singers or dancers in order to breakthrough and get the big movie roles? Beyonce just won the lead role in a biopic about the legendary singer Etta James. I cringe because Beyonce is not an actress she needs acting lessons. Beyonce cannot act she requires an acting coach and numerous hours to learning the craft of acting.
Young talented unknown black actors are being disrespected and ignored. A young black male actor with talent would of been electrifying in the role of Walter Lee Younger. A young black actor could of brought pathos, complexity, sensitivity, and range to this very important role. Unfortunately, Hollywood is now all about profit margins, ratings, and the craft of acting is now secondary. The only glimmer of hope is that young people will learn more about Lorraine Hansberry and gain an appreciation for her incredible talent.
I Hope Neo Ned Is Released In 2008?
I have heard some rumors that the controversial independent drama Neo Ned may be released on DVD in 2008? People are constantly complaining that black actresses never get serious dramatic roles. I think it is very sad that such an important film hasn’t found distribution. According to some discussions on the internet the controversial issue about the “Hitler factor” and the interracial romance theme is the reason “Neo Ned” hasn’t been released. I guess I am waiting in vain perhaps? Oh well, I hope I can see this film on DVD one day hopefully sometime this year?
Gabrielle’s character Rachel is a complex, intelligent, and depressed young black woman she believes the soul of Hitler is trapped in her body. Rachel is a survivor of sexual abuse and she only actually “pretends” that the soul of Hitler is in her body.
Yes, Neo Ned is a bit out there but this is a thought provoking independent film. Jeremy Renner and Gabrielle Union have both received incredible reviews for their outstanding performances in Neo Ned. Neo Ned has received some glowing reviews from the Los Angeles Times, Variety, International Herald Tribune, and other publications.
Neo Ned isn’t just a film about a white male Neo Nazi falling in love with a black woman that believes the soul of Hitler is in her body. The film appears to be challenging and thought provoking. Visit http://www.neoned.com and read the reviews for yourself. Neo Ned is about two damaged souls, two people that first meet in a mental institution and fall in love. Although in the end Ned and Rachel realize they may be too different to make the romance work.
If Neo Ned is only released on DVD then I will purchase the movie anyway. I just think its a sad that Neo Ned hasn’t found distribution yet? I have hope that Neo Ned will hopefully be released this this year.
DVD Review: My Beautiful Laundrette
Monday afternoon my friend suggested I borrow his DVD copy of the film “My Beautiful Laundrette”. I was hesitant at first because I thought the film was going to be another classic white savior movie. I notice a theme in a lot of interracial films that the person of colour always needs empowerment from the white person. Some interracial films present the false notion that interracial relationships are fighting racism. However, some interracial relationships are based on racism because of the racist assumptions one race has about another.
Whiteness is depicted as better in many interracial movies and as superior to communities of colour. The subversive vein of racism is in order for people of colour to have better lives we need white partners.
The person of colour’s family life is often framed as originating from an oppressive culture and the European culture is presented as the only solution. White culture is depicted as open minded and perfect. “My Beautiful Laundrette”, challenges this racist notion that communities of colour are always oppressive. It is so wonderful to actually see the reverse in “My Beautiful Laundrette”.
In “My Beautiful Laundrette”, the South Asian families are actually just as prejudiced as the white British people. The Pakistani family in the film view lower class white people as inferior and lazy unwilling to work hard to move up the social ladder. I am happy to announce that “My Beautiful Laundrette” is definitely a forward thinking kind of movie.
The film is about a young Pakistani man Omar he lives with his father on welfare in 1980s London. The movie is set in Margaret Thatcher’s England where the racial tensions between the white British community and South Asians are intense. Omar dreams of a better life. his father is an alcoholic and his mother is deceased. Omar’s uncle Nasser introduces him to a new life and his ambition grows he wants the capitalist dream of material wealth. Omar believes money will give him happiness.
Omar first starts out washing cars but persuades his Uncle Nasser to let him run his own laundrette. One evening, Omar meets up with an old friend Johnny a young white British man. Johnny is unemployed, unhappy, and homeless. Johnny hangs out with a bunch of street punks that get involved in crimes, use drugs and are disillusioned about life in London. The young white men are upset that their lives aren’t better and make South Asians the targets and scapegoats for their own unhappiness.
The South Asian community in London are working hard and to rise up the social ladder in British society. The young street punks feel left behind and have a sense of entitlement due to the fact they are British.
Omar’s Uncle Salim he is the villain in the film he gets Omar involved in dirty deeds and is emotionally abusive to Omar. Omar persuades Johnny to help him fix up the Laundrette and gives Johnny a job. Johnny’s self esteem grows he now has a purpose in life and he is conflicted about hanging out with his punk friends that are miserable, racist, and anti social. Omar and Johnny’s feelings for each other grow and they fall in love.
The aspect of the movie I loved the most is the gay romance is not viewed as a social problem. It is still so rare to see a movie about a South Asian gay man that is the star of the film and being gay is not a source of conflict. “My Beautiful Laundrette” just presents male homosexuality as a part of life. Omar just happens to be gay he doesn’t make a big deal about it and neither should the audience. Gordon Warnecke gives a confident and strong performance as the protagonist Omar. Daniel Day Lewis shines as Omar’s lover Johnny.
The gay romance is tame by twenty first century standards there are a few romantic kisses to illustrate Omar and Johnny are lovers. I love the fact that Omar and Johnny have intimacy to their relationship. Far too often gay movies either conceal the gay romance or are too explicit that it destroys a film. “My Beautiful Laundrette” has a balance that is so charming and cute. Omar and Johnny have a sweet tenderness to their relationship you can tell they are in love just by the way they gently hug or look intensely at each other.
I believe “My Beautiful Laundrette” is indeed superior to other so called big budget gay films that have been released in the last few years. My perspective is if “My Beautiful Laundrette” was made in North America the whole movie would of been worse to treat homosexuality as a social issue. It is simply incredible that “My Beautiful Laundrette” was released in 1985 because the movie is so current and so real.
The main themes about the movie deal with cultural clashes between the South Asian immigrants and white Anglo Saxon population, identity politics, and also class. Class is a main theme in the movie. Omar begins to rise in the class system and starts to become a bit arrogant as well.
Meanwhile, Uncle Nasser is having an affair with a white woman Rachel and his daughter Tania and his wife know about this. Tania is depressed she doesn’t want to live in a patriarchal family and she wishes she had more to do with her life.My only criticism of the film is, I think the Tania character should have more screen time.
The issue of sexism and misogyny was explored to a certain extent. I wanted to know more why Tania was so unhappy? I wished her character was more developed. I feel Tania is just a plot device in the film but maybe this was in the intention of the screenwriter.
Tania confronts Rachel at the opening of the Laundrette and Rachel dumps uncle Nasser. I think Tania is a catalyst for change in the film. Johnny’s friends attack him in the third act of the movie because they feel he is betraying them by trying to become a productive citizen. Uncle Salim is also attacked by the street punks. Tania leaves her family and moves on with her life she wants Johnny to go with her. Johnny refuses Tania’s advances and says he loves Omar and he will not leave him.
Uncle Nasser confronts his fears that his ephemeral relationship with Rachel was doomed because he is so unhappy with his marriage. Omar’s father wants Omar to attend college. Omar and Johnny make it out in the end and remain a couple. I absolutely love this fact that neither Omar or Johnny died.
I cringe every single time a gay movie is released and one of the protagonists has to die. Of course, in real life relationships don’t always work and this has to be explored on film. However, in cinema there is a predilection that gay romances are doomed because the subliminal message is gay romance is inferior to heterosexual love. I recommend “My Beautiful Laundrette” to anyone willing to give a movie a chance that deals with gay love in a funny, clever, intelligent, and serious manner.
Black Lesbians In Pop Culture, Is It Sexist If Men Are Curious?
I was watching Spike Lee’s movie “She Hate Me” the other day and one scene I really found interesting was the sex scene between Kerry Washington and Dania Ramirez. I was intrigued, as a gay man I rarely ever see women of colour in mainstream films have an erotic lesbian scene together. Even in gay culture lesbians are invisible and black lesbians are displaced due to race, gender, and sexuality.
Spike Lee’s film “She Hate Me” didn’t really explore the relationship between Washington and Ramirez’s characters though. My perspective is both women were used as a plot device for Anthony Mackie’s lead character. I won’t spoil the ending of the movie but it was completely unrealistic. I think a mainstream movie should be made that explores a romantic relationship between two black women. I wonder if this will ever happen?
Sure, I’ve seen straight porn movies that have lesbian scenes but those films are just not realistic or authentic. I already know how lesbians have sex but I think in “She Hate Me” was the first time I saw a romantic and erotic sex scene between women of colour. I found it interesting. Does this make me sexist? I wonder?
I have looked at lesbian erotic magazines before though out of curiosity. However, I think this was the first time I had ever seen an intense sex scene between two women of colour. The lesbian sex scene is rare because it is a lesbian sex scene between two women of colour.
I also was on You Tube the other day and it showed two gorgeous black women making out. I have read comments on various websites that some lesbians were offended by Spike Lee’s movie in the depictions of lesbians being sexually attracted to men. I understand the concerns. However, Kerry Washington’s character in “She Hate Me” clearly was bisexual and not a lesbian and she is sexually attracted to men.
We rarely get to see black lesbians in mainstream films. The last major movie with a black lesbian was Queen Latifah’s character Cleo in the hit indie film “Set It Off”. “Set It Off” I believe jump started Queen’s career. Although rumours still exist about Queen Latifah’s true sexual orientation I thought her performance as the butch aggressive lesbian Cleo was excellent. I think it was brave on Queen Latifah’s part to take on this role.
I would like to see more movies and television shows with black lesbian characters where black lesbians are the lead. I know that Tasha a black lesbian woman is a secondary character on the Showtime Lesbian television show the L Word. However, why did it take the producers until the fourth season to include a black lesbian? We already had a black gay series Noah’s Arc on television.
I think it is time for black lesbians to shine on the silver screen or on television with their own series. According to media reports Meagan Good is going to star in a film “Sundays In Fort Greene” this year and her character is a lesbian. I am so pleased that Meagan is willing to take on this role.I think it really shows the Meagan is willing to stretch her acting skills and diversity her roles.
You Tube isn’t porn or anything but I thought the kissing scene between the two women was sensual. I have to admit I don’t know much about lesbian sex. I do remember seeing two female friends have sex in front of me during high school though at a Halloween party. I have noticed in the lesbian community some lesbians are really upset if men say we find lesbian sex erotic or interesting. So my question is it exploiting lesbian sexuality for men to be curious about lesbians in pop culture?
Can Gabrielle Union Have A Second Breakthrough Or Is It Too Late?
Gabrielle Union has been typecast as the pretty,young, black woman looking for love in most of her movies. I have read other message boards and the consensus is Gabrielle Union is probably battling skin tone racism and sexism. Halle Berry is the top black actress in Hollywood, yet all her recent movies have bombed. Perfect Stranger was pure crap and Catwoman my goodness what was Halle thinking when she chose that role?
What does this say for other black women in Hollywood when even A list superstar multi millionaire Halle Berry is struggling? I think this is really scary. The problem is, Hollywood will use Berry’s lack of recent success as a litmus test and judge other black women. You can just hear a studio executive say “why should we give another black female a leading role when Halle Berry can’t make us money.” It is not fair but this is the kind of attitude Hollywood has. “Dreamgirls” was a huge hit making over $100 million at the domestic box office and that film was centered around black women.
It is not politically correct to say this but I think this kind of myopic thinking does take place in Hollywood. I think this is the reason you hardly ever see any black actress other then Halle Berry or Queen Latifah in leading lady roles in the movies. Berry gets all the leading lady roles not just due to her talent but also because she has crossover appeal. Berry has a Eurocentric appearance and even she hasn’t had much success in the past few years.
Angela Bassett is a superior actress than Berry but she’s considered “too black” and “too dark”. Angela Bassett is also almost fifty years old. Gabrielle Union is still young enough to have a breakthrough. Unfortunately, Gabrielle Union falls into the category she’s not considered “crossover potential” which is a code word for being “too black” and “too dark”.
Gabrielle has been segregated in the black romantic comedy genre for almost a decade. I wish Gabrielle had the opportunity to show her ability she isn’t even given a chance. I think this is the most frustrating part. I mean even Gabrielle must be sick of always hunting for a man in every single movie she has been in. Isn’t there more to the black female experience then seeking romance? What about personal ambition or goals? What about a personal struggle internal or external why can’t that be explored in the movies?
I am sure Gabrielle craves for more tougher roles. I must point out I am not suggesting black romantic comedies are bad. I enjoyed “The Best Man”, “Two Can Play That Game”, “Last Holiday” and other black romantic comedies. Enough is enough there is more to the black experience then romantic films.
All I am suggesting is I want change to take place. I would like to see Gabrielle Union in more serious dramatic films and I am sure she wants this too. Gabrielle is a good actress when given the right material. The problem is Hollywood ignores black women for the big leading lady roles. The screenwriters write most of the scripts for white women. The very few dramatic films made for black women go to Halle Berry or Queen Latifah. Gabrielle Union is lucky at least she is a well known black actress. At least Gabrielle is on the list and gets a shot at an audition.
The dilemma for Gabrielle Union is, when a dramatic piece is created for a black actress usually several other black women are also fighting for the exact same role. The question has to be asked, is the public a part of the problem? Are we to blame the black audience? All Hollywood cares about is box office. If a movie does well they will repeat the formula five million times until the formula no longer works.
I think Gabrielle is at a crossroads in her career she is thirty five years old. In a few years, Gabrielle won’t be getting the romantic comedy roles the studios will pass over her for younger actresses. Gabrielle’s last film “The Perfect Holiday” bombed at the box office last month.
Earlier in 2007, Gabrielle was in the Tyler Perry film “Daddy’s Little Girls”. “Daddy’s Little Girls” was more successful making over $30 million dollars. The Tyler Perry film was the first time Gabrielle was the leading lady in a movie she did a good job.
I am not suggesting Gabrielle isn’t trying to shift genres and add layers to her acting. I remember she was on a ABC television show “Night Stalker” in 2005 I really enjoyed “Night Stalker”. Unfortunately, ABC canceled the show after just six episodes. ABC didn’t even give Gabrielle Union a chance to shine. It was such a shame because the show was just starting to really take off. On the “Night Stalker” show Gabrielle was a crime reporter it was a different role and she was excellent.
I know this won’t sound politically correct but why does Hollywood always think black people we are the life of the party? I am not going to knock Tyler Perry he has a right to make his movies. My argument is, why aren’t there other young black filmmakers besides Tyler Perry? Where are the black female filmmakers besides Kasi Lemmons?
The only dramatic films Hollywood releases about black people are feel good garbage such as “The Great Debaters”. Notice the film “The Great Debaters” is about heterosexual black men at the center. I am not interested in a history lesson. I want to be challenged when I see a movie and entertained. What about the rest of us? Don’t we matter? Why are the only dramatic films about black people are released at the end of the year? What about other times of the year?
Another question is, where is the diversity in black films? Why do all the films about black people always have to be about black heterosexual men? What about gay black people? Where do we fit in we are so invisible. When was the last time you saw a big budget film about black gays? The answer is never. Why can’t there be films about black gays and lesbians released in theatres? I hear the Noah’s Arc film is going to be released this year. The question is ,will Noah’s Arc have an audience beyond the gay community? Will black people gay and straight bother to watch the Noah’s Arc film? How will the Noah’s Arc film be marketed to reach a black audience?
I am cognizant of the fact Hollywood is a business that has a formula system. Hollywood is always about profit and making money. Why can’t Hollywood realize people want to see black women in other genres besides romantic comedies? Why can’t Gabrielle Union be in an action drama with a black female lead, or a detective movie, or a science fiction film, or a serious dramatic piece?
Twelve years ago “Set It Off” an amazing action drama about black women that were fighting the system. The movie starred Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, Vivica A Fox, and Kimberly Elise. “Set It Off” was a hit making over $41 million worldwide despite having only a $9 million dollar budget. You would think Hollywood would take a hint? We want to see black women in other genres. Also, we want to see more then just Halle Berry or Beyonce Knowles.
I crave for more to see talented young black actors in other genres beyond the myopic romantic comedy genre. The quandary is, the romantic comedy sphere is considered a “safe bet” for Hollywood when dealing with blacks. Hollywood tends to make these films at low budgets and even if they bomb there is a low risk. It is so insulting to black film viewers that we don’t have enough choice. Maybe it is our fault? I mean how hard is it to distribute movies? It is clear to me more young black people need to get involved in the film business. We cannot cry and complain about Tyler Perry or bitch and moan about Spike Lee. I want to see new voices from younger black filmmakers. You know people under the age of thirty five!
Black people we are complex three dimensional people just like everyone else. Why is it the dramatic films about blacks always has to be about someone that is noble or perfect? Why can’t dramatic films about blacks demonstrate we have flaws as well we are not perfect. Why can’t a black drama not be a damn message movie! I think this is the reason I cringe when I hear all the hype about “The Great Debaters.” I am sorry to say those kinds of movies bore me they don’t interest or inspire me at all.
I would like too see more black dramatic films where risks are taken, I know black people and other people want to see something different then the garbage the studio system releases to the public.
However, I have noticed Gabrielle has not crossed over into the mainstream. I wonder why? I wonder is this Gabrielle’s choice or not? I hear she’s going to be in an Eddie Murphy movie another comedy this year called “Starship Dave”. I guess I am waiting in vain for Gabrielle Union to breakthrough and get the acclaim she deserves. Gabrielle has attempted to diversify her acting resume, she was in a dramatic film last year called Constellation. It was very unfortunate that once again the black audience ignored a serious dramatic film Constellation and the black media just didn’t provide any publicity for that film.
Another film that I am very excited about is Neo Ned. Neo Ned was screened on the independent film circuit two years ago and has won numerous awards and has fan approval. However, almost three years later Neo Ned not been released. Neo Ned has still not acquired distribution. Go to http://www.neoned.com to read the reviews about this incredible film. It has been over two years yet still no distribution deal. I don’t get it? Neo Ned is clearly Gabrielle Union’s best performance, the film is controversial but it is an independent film. I really hope Gabrielle can find another serious dramatic piece such as Neo Ned she has talent but why won’t anyone give her the opportunity to shine?
NAACP Nominates Angelina Jolie for “A Mighty Heart”. A Slap In The Face To Black Women In Hollywood!!!
I cannot believe the news I just learned today. Angelina Jolie has been nominated for a NAACP award for her performance in the film “A Mighty Heart”. It is pathetic that the NAACP is supporting racism and following the status quo. I believe the black community cares more about heterosexual black men then other members of the race. Some people have said that Jolie is not in blackface because the makeup used in “A Mighty Heart” doesn’t make her skin dark. Are some people ignorant? Don’t people know that the black race has different shades from light to dark? However, it is obvious to the discerning eye that Angelina Jolie’s skin is indeed darkened to appear more African. Jolie is also wearing a kinky curly wig. Once again Hollywood didn’t want to go black even though the real Mariane Pearl has black heritage.
Would the NAACP support the DVD release of Al Jolson’s racist film “The Jazz Singer”? Or the racist film “Birth Of A Nation”? I guess anything that affects heterosexual black men is a priority of the NAACP and any issue that affects black women the NAACP could care less about. Yet the NAACP has no problem supporting “A Mighty Heart”. Is the NAACP a black organization for the advancement of the black race? Or is the NAACP just a group that focuses on the concerns of just black heterosexual men?
The real Mariane Pearl is not just white she has black heritage. The symbolism of blackface is not about whether a white actor darkens their skin to be dark black. Blackface has a long history and still exists in this world. Very few media outlets have discussed Angelina Jolie and the racial issues behind “A Mighty Heart.”
The message Hollywood is sending is that talented black actresses can be replaced by white women. I have researched Pearl and read articles about her. One article in particular Pearl wrote for Glamour magazine in 2006 called “The Woman Who Gave Me My Strength”. The piece is about Pearl’s mother yet Pearl refuses to use the word “black” to describe her mother. Pearl uses the word “Cuban” as a way to conceal her blackness. Cuban is not a race it is a nationality. Pearl has no problem describing her white heritage that her father has Dutch and Jewish roots.
However, Pearl clearly has issues with her blackness. If you look read between the lines of the Glamour magazine article you can tell Pearl has issues with race. Next, you will the picture of Pearl’s mother she is clearly a black woman and so is Mariane Pearl. It is well known in the black community some people of mixed heritage frown on their black roots and look down on black people. We also know blackness is considered inferior to whiteness in society and popular culture. Mariane Pearl is not white not with her brown skin and kinky curly hair. Mariane Pearl needs to look in the mirror and check with reality. The world is never going to view Pearl as white woman so it is ludicrous to me that Angelina Jolie is the female lead in “A Mighty Heart”.
Readers on my blog know I have written passionately about the incredible racism and sexism taking place here against black actresses. Last year I wrote two powerful articles one for the New Zealand Herald called “Shades of Blackface”. I interviewed scholars and experts on the issue of racism, sexism, and films. I also wrote a second article “Is White The New Black?” for the Georgia Straight newspaper based in Vancouver. Both my articles were not published in the United States. It appears to me the USA mainstream media are just ignoring the blatant racism and sexism taking place here. I believe this racism and sexism is so abhorrent and disgraceful. It is even more disgusting that the NAACP an organization that claims it is about the advancement of black people support this. The NAACP has lost my respect they cannot be taken seriously.
The NAACP just jumped on the Hollywood bandwagon. One of the mandates of the NAACP Image Awards is to support black actresses that are often overlooked for leading lady roles. Yet here we have a movie “A Mighty Heart” where Hollywood erases a major role meant for a black actress. The NAACP are supporting a white actress in blackface. The NAACP, has disrespected black women this is a slap in the face. The NAACP will regret this decision and will lose support the NAACP is a joke.
The incredible racism and sexism against black women is in full force. Yet here is the NAACP supporting racism by nominating Angelina Jolie for an NAACP award. Now I can understand white Hollywood nominating Jolie for awards for this film I am not surprised. White Hollywood ignores black women the majority of the time and pretends to be liberal yet the covert racism taking place here is pernicious. The North American media all gloss over this abhorrent bigotry taking place here because they have white skin privilege. It is easy for whites to not think of race or to care about the concerns of the black community. Audre Lorde wrote passionately about the power of white skin privilege in her groundbreaking book “Sister Outsider”. Lorde is correct in her analysis.
bell hooks also wrote about the manipulation of Hollywood in relation to the representations of race in her wonderful book “Outlaw Culture”. hooks reminds us we must be “enlighten witnesses” we must be cognizant of bigotry and challenge it. Pop Culture isn’t just about entertainment this is an incredibly racist precedent that is taking place here. The representation of images in films are powerful because the pictures are languages although not words there are messages being sent. Reality can be distorted for profit. If we ignore the bigotry of Hollywood, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Mariane Pearl is to support racism.
However, the NAACP prides itself as an organization that wants to promote good films with black talent. The NAACP is contradicting itself. Is the NAACP for real or are they irrelevant? It appears to me the NAACP’s endorsement of Angelina Jolie means they have no respect for black actresses in Hollywood. Black women in Hollywood cannot openly criticize Angelina Jolie because they have to worry about the racist forces in Hollywood. The NAACP is supporting racism and sexism by nominating Angelina Jolie for “A Mighty Heart”. The NAACP claim they are a group that believes in fighting for black rights yet here they support supremacy, prejudice, and bigotry against black women.
A biracial actress such as Thandie Newton, Sophie Okonedo, Jennifer Beals, Troy Beyer, Rae Dawn Chong, should of been chosen for the female lead in “A Mighty Heart”. The reason Jolie was chosen is because she’s considered bankable. However, Mariane and Daniel Pearl’s life story is not fiction. Doesn’t Mariane Pearl care about the legacy of her husband and their interracial marriage? Or is the lust for money and fame to profit off the death of her deceased husband more important to Mariane Pearl?
Let’s be real here my dear readers. The reason Hollywood chose Jolie for the female lead is because Hollywood believes a white actress in blackface and a kinky curly wig can make more money. Another reason is Hollywood just doesn’t want to present a complex, real life interracial marriage on the silver screen. How many interracial dramatic films have been released this decade? Monster’s Ball is the only major studio film released this decade dealing with an interracial romance between a black woman and a white man. Monster’s Ball was filled with racist and sexist imagery. Yes, Halle Berry won the Oscar but at what cost? In Monster’s Ball Halle Berry’s character Leticia Musgrove is another stereotype the oversexed Jezebel.
In order to not disgust white audiences from seeing a white man kiss a black woman Hollywood changes the race of the leading lady to make the film more palatable. The real interracial marriage between Daniel and Mariane Pearl is erased. Hollywood did not want to present a real interracial marriage on film. The relationship between a white man and his black wife is just not acceptable for white American audiences. Here is a role that is complex, serious, dramatic, that should of went to a black actress. People complain all the time that black women rarely get the serious roles in Hollywood. Yet here is a movie role clearly meant for a black woman and Hollywood decides to go blackface.
Hollywood ignores talented black actresses and replaces black women with white women. Angelina Jolie may win awards for her performance but she has zero credibility.
Some people fawn over Angelina Jolie because she is a classic Hollywood white beauty that is “saving” Africa. Yes, Jolie has adopted an African daughter and she’s done good work with the United Nations. However, doesn’t anyone question the attitude of the press and Jolie towards the African continent? The liberal media reports are drenched in racism and paternalism. The western world’s attitude towards the black race and African continent one formed through prejudice with a Eurocentric lens. The African continent is not one nation but fifty three independent countries with their own issues and identities.
Just because Angelina Jolie is a Hollywood white liberal does not give her the right to take a role meant for a black actress. Although Mariane Pearl claims she “chose” Jolie for the role. Brad Pitt owns the rights to Pearl’s memoir therefore he has the power. Last time I checked Angelina Jolie is not a black woman yet Hollywood doesn’t seem to care.
Hollywood has a history of changing the race of leading lady roles for white women. The vast majority of the female roles in Hollywood are geared towards white actresses. The legendary black actress Lena Horne lost the female lead role in Show Boat role to Ava Gardner. Dorothy Dandridge also lost major roles in the 1950s to white actresses due to racism and sexism. Now in the twenty first century blackface returns and once again talented black actresses that want leading lady roles lose out once again to white women. Hollywood continues to promote the subversive message that white women are the true womanhood and that the only female image acceptable is whiteness. Even though “A Mighty Heart” is about a real person Mariane Pearl and a real interracial marriage Hollywood still changed the race of the leading lady. Halle Berry claimed that Hollywood was changing when she won the Oscar for her performance in the stereotypical and racist drama Monster’s Ball. Berry is right Hollywood changed for her she’s an A list actress.
However, for the other black women in Hollywood struggling to get solid roles nothing has changed. The sad part about this you would think the NAACP would be more cognizant of the message they are sending here. Just because white Hollywood, the white American media, and white society ignore the issue of blackface doesn’t mean it will go away.
The NAACP was once a very important black rights organization those days are over. It seems to me the NAACP will do anything to get into the Hollywood limelight. The NAACP has totally lost its importance and credibility.
Links: http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5jGag3mIYols_7MsN3adaN6A0CAnA
http://www.straight.com/article-96155/is-white-the-new-black
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10444455&ref=emailfriend Douglas’
Malcolm X Asks What Kind Of Black Person Are You?
Watching this clip of Malcolm X makes me realize the discussion about House Negroes and Field Negroes exists today. Of course we are all individuals we have a right to have divergent points of view and perspectives. I am not suggesting that there needs to be a collective mentality taking place. However, we cannot change the fact as the scholar bell hooks says race always matters. It doesn’t matter how much power or money you acquire to ignore race is to ignore reality.
When I think about black people like Condoleezza Rice and Clarence Thomas its clear to me that Malcolm X comments makes perfect sense. Sure, Rice and Thomas are blacks with very powerful positions in society but they also follow the status quo. Thomas and Rice certainly don’t give a damn about the black race all they care about is maintaining the power they have acquired. Malcolm X wasn’t perfect but he loved black people and he cared deeply about the black race.
Documentary: What Does It Mean To Be A Real Man?
In this clip from Jackson Katz’s documentary he explores the issue of masculinity and why it is considered palatable for men to be “violent”. Katz film investigates many issues about “why” men think we have to present this macho image. Its clear to me that society accepts male violence and tells men that in order to be real men the only acceptable emotion is anger. I don’t agree with everything in this clip of the documentary but Katz does make some valid points.
I see it all the time on the bus, walking through the mall, on the subway, I see young men posturing trying to act hard. I’ve always wondered why do they do this? The documentary also explores the role that women have in this. Some women admire and want men that appear “macho” they consider this to be attractive. Also some females look down on men that are not “tough” or “aggressive.” I think that’s part of the appeal rapper such as 50 CENT has with young males. I love Kanye West because he illustrates that a man can be just be himself, show his emotions, and be real. I wish there were more positive images of black manhood out there.
Why are John Wayne and Steve McQueen so revered and popular? One can argue that Wayne and McQueen were just actors in films but they were also very masculine and dominant in their movies. I think a lot of men don’t want to admit it but there is so much pressure to be strong all the time. I find this emotionally and psychologically draining and I am glad I never tried to be that way. However, I have been criticized throughout my life for not being “macho” and “aggressive”. Men place a lot of pressure on other men to conform to gender roles.
Pop culture such as music videos and movies have a role. However, I think socialization is a big part of it. Its obvious society believes that men must be “dominant” or “in control” at all times to be real men. My perspective is that the education system has a serious role in shaping the minds of young males. I think this film is very interesting because I have fought with my emotions about what it means to be a real man my whole life. I remember when I was a kid I got called sissy, fag, wimp. I cry when I am depressed and sad I don’t hide my emotions although society says to be a real man we are supposed to.I was a very shy boy I didn’t really stand up for myself. I also recall my older brother verbally abusing me and I didn’t really feel that my parents stood up for me either.
Instead of turning my anger on to “others” I internalized my anger and hurt myself by not speaking out. People wonder why so many young men are dying? Its because in society some young men don’t know that it should be okay to “talk” about our feelings. You turn on the news and you watch and listen about more young men dying on the streets due to male violence. Men are killing and hurting other men and we just sit and watch. I think a real man is a man that can admit he has feelings and emotions that can feel hurt, feel pain, he can also cry.
Gayblackcanada 