Okay, I will play devil's advocate. Let me start with this disclaimer: I know that they portray us a certain way in the media to brainwash people. That being said, I get what you are saying, but a similar movie comes to mind, Ocean's 12. You had Bernie Mac and Don Cheadle playing characters that were a part of the group, not trying to get over. There are tons of movies where white people are getting over, such as: Casino, Godfather, The Italian Job, Batman, Iron Man etc. A movie comes out where a black dude is less than honorable, and we analyze as if that portrays who we are, or what people perceive us to be. We should make more movies about us and by us, but guess what...we will still complain. A good example is Tyler Perry, he made all types of movies and the men have good and bad roles, the women have good and bad roles, because that is life. I feel what this post is about has good information, but this is where I become ...what's the word I am looking for...unsure. Do I not like it just because a black man is portrayed in a bad light, or do I really feel as if there is an underlying motive? I honestly don't know, and before someone jumps all over me and says that I love white people, that is not what I am saying. I am just trying not to become a bitter person, I want to understand the condition we are in as a people without becoming an angry person that carries it in their heart at all times. I love movies, I love when a movie portrays what I feel inside in a way that is unconventional and truthful, but now I am careful of what I watch, but when has it become too much, when am I just being paranoid? Am I just being paranoid? Sometimes I say yes, and sometimes I say no.
the point seems to be why in the hell is Murphy doing stepin fetchit, with all of his previous success? You would not be upset of Steve Martin and Denzel Washington made a movie called the lost adventures of Jack Benny?
Why would you ever want to advocate for a Devil? If you are doubting propaganda, re-read my earlier question.
Peace Rapunzal24, How can you equate black and white when black and white are not in equal social positions? To submit that there are plenty of white films with whites portrayed as bad guys as some sort of justification for why we should accept the negative portrayals of black folk is a contextual miscalculation.. Black folks and White folks are not on an equal footing.. and so the way the same dynamic affects each group is different. That's a key point. Another key point is this: Film is not entertainment. It can be entertaining so can a hurricane.. but we can't ignore the destruction of either. We live in racialized, generalized society that extrapolates and extends ideas from every single source.. And film.. meaning.. movies, Tv Shows, news programs, etc.. are the number 1 source of information. Not education.. not books.. not school.. not church.. Media.. Film is the most awesome and effective tool of mass influence every created.. And I recommend that every black person study film so they can learn about the techniques that are employed to manufacture emotions.. reactions.. and relative truths.. a slow zoom.. a juxtaposition of images, sound and movement specifically ordered to evoke an preconceived conclusion.. there just is no equivalent form of influence that rivals the power of film. It's the reason that governments control their film industries.. Once you understand that, then you'll start to look at film in a whole new way.. Tyler Perry doesn't understand that. He's just making stuff that he wants to see.. He has no sense or knowledge of history or politics.. or anything.. He just has these things he wants to say and he says them in his own way.. And can understand that. Eddie Murphy is the same way.. He is completely unconscious to how film affects the existence of black people.. he just likes seeing himself on the screen.. that's the reason he has never made anything of any consequence. Regarding Bitternes... Sometimes bitterness is the appropriate reaction. I'm sure the cranberry wishes it was as sweet as the cherry.. but it is what it is. I know, we all want to be happy and unobstructed and unassaulted and whatnot.. and just sit back and enjoy a good movie.. but the reality is their is an assault against black people that has been going on for generations.. and when we see the signs of it, we have to stand up and point it out.. even though we get tired of standing up so often. The wrong thing to do, in my opinion, is to start to question the standing up. We can't tuck our consciousness just because it is so often evoked. We're not paranoid, we are responsible. What's hard to believe is how they keep coming out with these same ole images.. with these same ole roles.. and how stars like Eddie Murphy can be so insulated by their own egos that they can't see the bigger picture.