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Boy !! Racist 1930's Hollywood(major spoilers)

posted 20 years ago by Son_Of_Malcolm
36 replies | jump to latest

This movie is so full of racist stereotypical,self hate bullshyt,that I dont even know where to start
lets see................

first of course this Mammy look , was this the only look that Hollywood wanted for Black Women then?

Then the light skinned daughter (played by a white actres until the Adult version) by the time she reaches grade school! she has developed self hate ,there is a scene in which her Mom comes to her school to pick her up and she is ashamed of her mom because she is black and of course the mamma type and all the kids find out she is black,she leaves the school with her head down,in another scene she comes home crying because her friend called her black, so she goes into this im not black! ,im not black! routine,what made this scene worst is that the white mother(Bea) told her daughter why did you say such a bad thing to her,(WHAT???) it was a bad thing to call her black ?,thats who she was,the subplot of self hate continued for the remainder of the film,it even got to the point in which the light skinned daughter left school was working at some drug store or something, the mammy mother comes in and she claims she has never seen her before in life, I must give credit with this scene though! at least the white mother was like How can you treat your mother like that? (something to that affect),so later the daughter comes home apologizes for treating her that way, so at this point I thought maybe she was going to accept that she was black,but no!! she goes on to tell her mother she wants to be accepted as white and for her mother to never talk to her again,this of course breaks her mothers heart and eventually dies of one,only then the daughter is sorry for what she said .........great

now lets get to the main character 'Bea', she allows a black women(Delilah Johnson) and her daughter to stay in her home, as this black women is pretty much her servant,she basically begged to be that and not really get paid,she even rubs Bea's feet! so Bea decides after eating Delilahs pancakes one morning ,she comments on how good they are, so after that she wants to open a business selling pancakes,so since she sells syrup she goes out and buys a storefront,comes home and just tells Delilah that they are moving and starting a business using her(Delilah) recipe for pancakes,plus of course Delilah is the main cook,,they even ask Delilah to smile a certain way for a picture and of course its the Aunt Jamima smile,so this art work is diplayed on the Restaurants Store front,a few years pass and some freaky sounding white guy who appears to be a homelss guy , gets free food then tells Bea that she should sell the pancake mix in stores,Bea agrees ,next thing you know you see this guy, Bea and Delilah all in a room with the deal going like this , Bea and this guy gets most of the profit while Delilah gets 20% of the profit, so im like ,it was her family recipe, so Bea says you can have your own home now , but in old stereotypical fashion Delilah tells her No!I need to stay and help you and Jessie , just put my money a side,we now see them all in a big home ,for some reason Delilah part of the home is downstairs like a basement part,yeah I know some of you will say,well she didnt want to have her own home but this was a subliminal thing here,she was the reason Bea became rich,they even have a party and its nothing but white folks and Bea and Peola dont even join the party,you even have a scene in which Bea tells Delilah! it's alright to come up now after Delilah ask are all the guest gone ?then Delilah rubs Beas feet, but im like dont you have servants for that now? , but again this is more racist propaganda of that time , you know! no matter how much money you make you are still not on the level of a white person, Bea even tells people she is the Queen of pancakes, now true! she did use her business savey to get her own business , but it would have been nothing without Delilah secret recipe

the other subplot of Bea and her daughter loving the same man was a moot point, I can go on and on about this movie and its stereotypes and racism and Im going to kill my friend who told me this was a good movie

I Stand Accused!

[–] 20 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Son_Of_Malcolm 20 years ago

thanks Tiff ,I know I was all over the place but every minute of this movie is filled with unbelievable crap,so as I was typing I kept thinking of stuff
I Stand Accused!

[–] dadbowen-1 17 years ago

The point of the movie was to show how unfair white america is to blacks. The title of the movie shows this. It is not a real (equal) life for the rich black pancake inventor, but an "IMITATION" of(unequal) life. At that point in american history and still today, blacks are seen as inferior, not because they are poor or rich, but because they are different.
I believe the film was trying to stop this. It is a movie of subltey. I know after watching it I was aware of many similarities in how minorities are still treated today. It woke me up to my own indifference. I loved it and think it is one of the greatest movies ever made.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] gurlsruleboysdrool 19 years ago

By today's standards, yes it would be a racist movie. But let's look at it by when this movie was made, which was 30 years before the Civil Rights movement. Seeing as this was made in 1934, you have said nothing relevant.

This is a good movie, and I'll tell you why.

I am FULL BLOODED Native American with light eyes and light skin. I completely understand the character Peola's plight. Though I'm much more like the actress who played Peola, who was indeed an African American actress with light eyes and light skin and refused to say she was Caucasian to further her career.

People ask me my ethnicity all the time because I'm very unique looking. When I tell them Native American, they have no shame in telling me that I don't look Native, how could I be Native, am I sure.........I've even had people tell me that I'm lying! I have often thought of lying and do often feel embarrassed of how I look. I find myself wishing I had brown eyes, envious of those with dark skin.

Back when this film was made, "Savage" was a correct term for Native Americans. Obviously I have had to deal with Western films all my life where they're completely racist towards Native Americans with absolute incorrect history and no one is apologetic. Even in the Cowboy and Indians movies today, they often use Hispanic or Italian actors to play Native Americans!!

At least in this movie you have authenticity in Fredi Washington, in which you should be praising for playing this part beautifully.

It's now 61 years later, and I watch this movie and relate to it. Peola and Fredi Washington give me hope everytime I watch this movie. I feel a little less alone knowing that there were people even way back then who went through what I'm going through. That's why this is a great movie!

[–] Son_Of_Malcolm 19 years ago

thanks for your post , but this was not a great movie actually a pretty sad one in all aspects

Some Say I'm Negative, But They're Not Positive

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] nycafm33 19 years ago

Do yourself a big favor and read the novel that these movies are based. Fannie Hurst Wrote a beautiful story of two women looking to survive in a time when women had few rights and Blacks basically had none. Hollwood spoiled this story on both counts and went for the superficial and cheep sentiments. The real story is rich with truely deep characters moving through and surviving in a pretty hoenes era. Maybe someday someone will do this story justice and not rely on stereotype. As I recomended, READ THE BOOK! newly released in paperback by Duke University Press.

[–] Son_Of_Malcolm 19 years ago

My point was the film not the book.......................
They'll never take me alive

[–] tgemberl 19 years ago

I really appreciate gurlsruleboysdrool's post. Yes, there are things in this movie that would be really racist and shocking by today's standards, but look at what it tries to do: to show how unjust the position of black people was in those days. There are some scenes in it that do really make me wince, like the part towards the end where Bea tells Delilah she can come up from the basement because the party's over. As if Bea would be ashamed to have her highbrow friends see Delilah. But on the other hand, how do we know that wasn't Delilah's own choice? She clearly doesn't have real good self-esteem--it was probably hard for an African American to have good self-esteem in those days, when they were subject to so much humiliation--and maybe she would have chosen to stay out of view during the party. A lot of segregation is self-segregation.

Yeah, the film does imply inequality, that blacks have "their place," subordinate to whites, but Bea is a person who has compassion for them. So in 1934, this movie did a lot of good. For the Civil Rights Movement to win, there had to be lots of Beas in this country, and this movie helped to create them. Yes, minorities have to stand up for their own rights, but if there aren't some "majority" people who side with them, they're not going to get far.

The movie would be disgusting today, but in 1934, it was a real blow for justice.

I guess as a white person, I'm looking at the film from Bea's perspective, but as a Native American, gurlsruleboysdrool is looking at it from Peola's. As she says, the film does a good job of showing how rough life can be for people who are "on the margins," and might pass for either white or black, Native American, etc. Of course that shows how unjust our American society has been. Peola shouldn't have had to feel ashamed to be an African American. And thankfully at the end, she does decide to go to the historically black college and claim her heritage as an African American. She regains the courage she'd lost before. It's too bad she had to be shamed into that by the death of her mother of a broken heart, but, as the saying goes, "better late than never." Sometimes death does open up the way to new life.

"Extremism in the pursuit of moderation is no vice."

[–] tgemberl 19 years ago

I hope you all watch the 1959 version, too. The character of Peola is more developed there. She's named Sarah Jane in that movie. See cbs84571's comments at:
http://pro.imdb.com/title/tt0025301/board/nest/13445080

"Extremism in the pursuit of moderation is no vice."

[–] whimsical5 19 years ago

but you must remember, the country was still very racist in the 1930s. This movie is fairly realsitc for the times. and this is a much better version that the Lana Turner film, altho I have always loved Lana...

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] tishrobertson 19 years ago

Both movies are racist, to be sure. And the 30s version is definitely more racist in the way Delilah is portrayed. She is definitely the "Mammy" type and a buffoonish character. However uncomfortable the earlier version makes me feel, though, the later version is worse IMHO. Her subservience is a more of an anachronism (not to say a lot of black women weren't pathetically accomodating at the time, but she took it to the next level) and although she's not a "mammy" stereotype, she's still a two-dimensional stereotype, especially compared to the full-fledged character given to Lana Turner.

Things that were positive about the 30s version:

1. Delilah was more like a "partner" than a tag-along. Even though she didn't get any of the profit (that was unrealistic...what poor single-mother would turn down money she was entitled to), at least she had a big part to play in Bea's success.

2. Delilah may have been a buffoon but at least she had some good lines in the movie. Annie (the corresponding character in the later movie) was so bland that she practically blended into the scenery. You pitied her, but could you really love her?

3. Peola as an adult went on to a respectable profession. Contrast with Sarah Jane, the little harlot (OK, she wasn't a "harlot" but she wasn't no saint). Contrast the differences Peola and Jessie and Sarah Jane and Suzie. Looking at the first couple, you could say both had been "raised right". But the second two? No.

4. Adult Peola was played by proud black woman. I imagine a lot of people--especially whites--were blown away by this fact when the movie came out. I bet a lot of folks were ready to peg the story as unrealistic (there are people who don't believe blacks can convincingly pass as white), but Fredi Washington was able to show that heh, it could really happen.

As for the "black" comment, back in the 30s "black" was a bad thing to call someone. Not in the same league as the n-word, but still insulting.

I agree that there are lot of racist things in the movie, but the movie came out in a racist day-and-age and was mass-marketed to a broad audience. It's a shame Delilah or Peola weren't given their own men to fall in love with, for instance, but white folks at the time wouldn't have paid to see that happen. (Which is why the 50s version does a bit more justice to Sarah Lee than the 30s version does to Peola, I think. The film actually shows her struggle outside of the home, dealing with rejection and heartbreak.)

[–] katchatu 19 years ago

Would you please get over yourself. It was a progressive and enlightening movie for its time. An easy watch and tear-jerker; a key component to most any movie. Albeit, it may not have changed a lot of attitudes in it’s time, it probably planted the seeds in a few to get us one step closer to that ‘Star Trek’ world we all dream of. However, here we are in the 21st Century and all I hear from black folks is how they've been mistreated over and over – well here’s a newsflash - we’ve all been mistreated. When are you going to get that through you head – you doing yourself a great disservice. If I complained as much as you do about the petty thing – I wouldn’t have job, a home or life either. I’d be considered a ticking time bomb and people would avoid me like the plaque also. I have to suck it up daily and just try to do what I can to make the best of it.

In regards to being stereotypical if you don’t think deals such as 80/20 don’t happen daily in the white world – you’re a fool. Research Antonio Meucci & Nikola Telsa !! It’s called business and we all resent it if we’re not at the top of the food chain. Blacks strike bad deals just a much as white folks ie Dinah Ross, Don King to name a few. More folks get taken advantage than succeed in life and life is unfair. Quit making it just a black thing. Move on and make the best of this Country your fore fathers tried to make a better world for you, as did my Irish, non-rich, and historically discriminated against family did too.

Honor the film for what it is – a story of the struggles of intrapersonal relationships. H*ll, I’ve been embarrassed by my Mom (and Dad for that matter) for no real good reason and tried to disown them. In hindsight, it was an immature, self-centered act, I know better now and this movie reflects that aspect.

[–] chesterrodney 19 years ago

To Katchatu, people like you are the reason why we as Blacks complain! You will NEVER understand, because you and your people never had to go thur it! You say to get over it and move on. Baby, we have! Black people have done GREAT things for this country! But the US still has a double standard when it comes to Black folks! White people can do something and it's over looked or made light of. But if someone Black does the same thing, oh my, how could they! If we stay in our own black neighborhoods, were no good. If we try to move into your neighborhood, then we are threats to you! You say we are always playing the race card. But alot of white people have NEVER stopped playing the race card! They just want us to think they have!

On my job, I talk to white people and we have fun talking and laughing. Then I see that same person with acouple of other white people and they act like they don't even know me! They don't even speak! And they are praying that I don't say anything to them!

And you called what happened to Black people petty! You fool! That statement alone is so racist! Black people are still effected by what happened in slavery times! We were slaves for over 400 years! Slavery has only been ended in this country not even 150 years yet! You don't think that we are still feeling the effects of it! And that racist thinking of that time is still around today! YES IT STILL IS!!!!

Not all White people are like this. But alot let us know that we are Black people and not just people! GET IT!!!!

[–] Son_Of_Malcolm 19 years ago

Would you please get over yourself. It was a progressive and enlightening movie for its time.

Is that a joke?

here we are in the 21st Century and all I hear from black folks is how they've been mistreated over and over – well here’s a newsflash - we’ve all been mistreated. When are you going to get that through you head – you doing yourself a great disservice.

as a black person who has not seen true respect from america , your comment doesnt fly, its real easy when something that doesnt effect you, you are so quick to say how someone should feel, and if you are a person of color you should be ashamed of yourself for making a comment like that

If I complained as much as you do about the petty thing – I wouldn’t have job, a home or life either. I’d be considered a ticking time bomb and people would avoid me like the plaque also. I have to suck it up daily and just try to do what I can to make the best of it.

PETTY?
Too many black people before me were called complainers, maybe you heard of them
Harriet Tubman
Marcus garvey
Dr King
Rosa Parks
Malcolm x
The Black Panther Party For Self Defense

with out them I wouldnt have what I have today , my point was to say how racist the movie was ,Plus the fact it is on DVD or Vhs the images of racist america , remains
I stand by that point

Quit making it just a black thing. Move on and make the best of this Country your fore fathers tried to make a better world for you, as did my Irish, non-rich, and historically discriminated against family did too.

Im black so that what I deal with everyday living in amerikkka, once black people are treated with respect then i can work to bring respect to others

btw , we cant move on until white people admit to their foul behavior towards black people, only then can things improve

Honor the film for what it is

are you kidding me?

Only God Can Judge Me

[–] Diem_Perdidi 19 years ago

Racist 1930's Hollywood? Um, I'm gonna start out with a "no Sh*t". Racist world in 1930. Not just Hollywood.

And honestly, you're not seeing the point that people are making about this movie. You are basing it off of today's standards of what racism is. At that time, telling somebody they weren't allowed to eat at that table wasn't considered racist.

You're saying that this movie is promoting self-hate of black people. What makes you see that? Because one of the character's hates the fact that they are black and hide it because they can? No, it's not promoting it...it's showing that it DID happen. This character really isn't seen as a person to aspire to become. They come off as selfish and rather sad. And what's the lesson that's being promoted through this character? DON'T hate yourself.

Sure, today, racism is still in existence. BUT, to say that it's striving and as strong as it was at the time this movie was made, is a ludicrous idea to have. I won't argue with you at all. 1930, Hollywood was very racist, because again, the world was. But this movie was extremely progressive for it's time.

Have you ever heard of the NAACP? W. E. B. Du Bois was the only black member of the board when it originated. If this organization started today and had one black member on it's board, there would be an outcry that there is nowhere near enough. At the time it was founded. There was an outrcy that this was way too much.

You can't base a movie made in the 30's off of todays standards. That's like saying the CGI was too weak on it. I mean really though.

Just try and think of it like that. Hopefully you read this with an OPEN mind.

[–] Son_Of_Malcolm 19 years ago

And honestly, you're not seeing the point that people are making about this movie. You are basing it off of today's standards of what racism is. At that time, telling somebody they weren't allowed to eat at that table wasn't considered racist.

no one wants to see mine

You're saying that this movie is promoting self-hate of black people. What makes you see that? Because one of the character's hates the fact that they are black and hide it because they can? No, it's not promoting it...it's showing that it DID happen. This character really isn't seen as a person to aspire to become. They come off as selfish and rather sad. And what's the lesson that's being promoted through this character? DON'T hate yourself.

ok I give it that point , yes it was sad and many blacks still feel that way today

Sure, today, racism is still in existence. BUT, to say that it's striving and as strong as it was at the time this movie was made, is a ludicrous idea to have. I won't argue with you at all. 1930, Hollywood was very racist, because again, the world was. But this movie was extremely progressive for it's time.

I disagree

Have you ever heard of the NAACP? W. E. B. Du Bois was the only black member of the board when it originated. If this organization started today and had one black member on it's board, there would be an outcry that there is nowhere near enough. At the time it was founded. There was an outrcy that this was way too much

thanks for the lesson but I dont respect the NAACP of today

You can't base a movie made in the 30's off of todays standards. That's like saying the CGI was too weak on it. I mean really though.

I didnt!!! others are seeing it that way

I do have an open mind Gods chosen1

Only God Can Judge Me

[–] Diem_Perdidi 19 years ago

thanks for the lesson but I dont respect the NAACP of today

I wasn't talking about the NAACP of today. I was talking about standards. At the time it was founded, there was one black board member. If a "black" organization was founded today with ONE black member on it's board...it wouldn't be respected at all and would be considered a joke. But at THAT time, It having ONE was an amazing step. That's what my point was.

But yeah. The movie is racist. Yes, 1930's Hollywood was racist. Yes, in the 1930's America was racist. Why do you seem so surprised? Personally, if I would watch one of these movies, I'd watch the remake any day of the week. Much more heartfelt approach.

[–] Son_Of_Malcolm 19 years ago

But yeah. The movie is racist. Yes, 1930's Hollywood was racist. Yes, in the 1930's America was racist. Why do you seem so surprised? Personally, if I would watch one of these movies, I'd watch the remake any day of the week. Much more heartfelt approach

just was making a point .............................
Blamin' me for the hardcore roar
But they the ones wit' the 44's

[–] IdleFingers 19 years ago

first of course this Mammy look , was this the only look that Hollywood wanted for Black Women then?

yes, this was the stereotypical black woman in films back in that era. Much like the Irishman was depicted as a drunken lout with a foul temper. Native Americans were savages, Asians did nothing but grinned and bowed... etc, etc.

what made this scene worst is that the white mother(Bea) told her daughter why did you say such a bad thing to her,(WHAT???) it was a bad thing to call her black ?,

At that time the PC term for someone who was black was either colored or negro. For the little girl to call Peola black was akin to calling her a *beep* This is why the mother took such offense to her daughter calling the girl black.

it was a bad thing to call her black ?,thats who she was,the subplot of self hate continued for the remainder of the film

I personally thought this was a very poignant issue to address, especially for the time. I can only imagine how many people of mixed origins back then and even now could relate with the confusion the girl felt being caught in two worlds. I myself am mixed race, and remember very well how cruel children can be. Wanting to hide behind one race, I think, is understandable, and not racist in the least.

while Delilah gets 20% of the profit,

The society and social standards at the time would not allow for Delilah to profit more. Yes, it is demeaning and degrading, but not surprising for the times.

It is almost impossible to find a movie made at that time that is NOT going to have stereotypes or all out racism. The complaints of this poster reminds me a lot of the complaints of one of my very favorite movies, Hallejuah. Hallejuah was one of the first all black movies, made in the early 30's by King Vidor. Many people focus on racist or stereotypical points in the film, such as black people singing happily while picking cotton. These stereotypes often detract from the film. There is so much focus on the racism of the times that they are blinded to the fact that it is genuinely one of the most beautiful portrayals of southern african american culture.

I have been one acquainted with the night

[–] JAG2005 19 years ago

I think you are stating the obvious. Anyone that can't see that this movie is riddled with racism is an idiot. However, it can still be a good movie. Afterall, if we only made movies that did not offend or shed light on the ills of society, we would have never had Roots.

"smile. be happy"

[–] mikeck609 19 years ago

What we all have to remember is that this is 1934 NOT 2006. This film actually was very progressive for its time. It is a film where a black woman and white woman work together to make it in society. Yes, the white woman fairs better than the black one but they still had a closeness to one another that I did not feel in the later version. What we all have to remember is this, a wise man once said "Those who do not know their history are doomed to repeat it" What do you want us to do with old movies, Burn them?? How about old classics such as "Huckleberry FInn" burn that book too? If you believe this than freedom of speech is going up the waterspout and America is turning totalitarian. This film is by far superior than to the 59 version for its acting and script and people should not put this movie down becuase of its racist content because this movie was not made today it was made 72 years ago and for a movie made back then it was a damn good movie, racism or not. Just one question, are we to forget the entire past because of its problems and wrong doings? that would be a very foolish thing to do!

[–] r_lo_lopez 18 years ago

"What do you want us to do with old movies, Burn them?? "

Getting a bit dramatic there buddy! I loved both versions of this film and appreciate the fact that they were made during a differnt time in American history. Still there is going to come a point where younger audiences simply cannot sit through movies like "Imitation of Life" for all of the reasons listed in the original post to this thread. That point may already be here.

[–] mjr1114 16 years ago

"the later version"

This has always been my complaint with the remake. They lost the whole friendship between the two women in the second version.

In regards to the 'racist' comments on this movie. It is uncomfortable to watch and see the stereotypes, but as many have posted throughout this board... that was the point the movie was trying to get across. It was not promoting it was proclaiming against stereotypes and the treatment of African-Americans of that time. It was an early, yet subtle, Civil Rights Movement film. The movie dealt with complex issues, throughout. It had to use subtlety to get past the Hayes Code. Sometimes, one needs to do more than look at a movie, they need to watch, listen, and allow the mind to digest it all, to truly get the meaning of the story.

Afterall, Rosewood is hard to watch, because it is full of racism, but you wouldn't call it a racist movie, would you? You look at it as a documentation of history. Same with any movies depicting the injustices towards minorities throughout history. The difference being the fact there is no code out there causing anyone to tell their stories through subtle means, any longer. The Hayes Code rules were racist. (If you've never read them, do, it's good for a laugh or should I say a few laughs. There are some idiotic rules on there.)

There WAS a friendship between the two women in the 1934 version, it was there, Bea was not just using Delilah. She could have kicked her out the minute she started collecting money from having marketed the pancake recipe. If Bea looked at Delilah as being so beneath her, that would have been what she would have done. She would not have been at her deathbed, would not have planned and carried out the funeral, nor consoled and offered guidance to the woman's daughter.

I have never heard anything about this movie being offensive, by anyone of color, before, until I came to THIS board. AND I don't know any unproud of their heritage or skin color black people, not one. I've, actually, heard complaints of the second one because the 'maid' in the second movie, doesn't seem to have as big of a part, or is as prevelant to the story as the first, in turn, losing out on the feeling of the friendship that transpires between the racially different female leads. Of course, there's the complaint of the non-black actress playing the black female passing for white discontent, as well. The only real praise the movie gets from most people I know is the funeral procession and Mahalia Jackson's presence.

I, also, prefer the original's presentation of Bea's sacrifice of love for her daughter. I find it odd that I prefer this outcome, because I didn't think it necessary, and that the daughter just needed to understand.. but then I watched the second, and I realized it hurt the whole feel of the story. (combined with the lack of the friendship)

I did like that they delved a little more into the Sarah Jane character than they had done for Peola, but I didn't feel for SJ, she was too bitchy, I guess. I didn't feel for her like I had for Peola. Unsure why that was, maybe Fredi Washington was just a better actress and was more believable.

[–] Son_Of_Malcolm 19 years ago

[–] bradford-1 18 years ago

Actually, I consider this version more progressive than the '59 one. At least here a real black woman plays Peola; the corresponding character in the remake is played by Susan Kohner, a white actress. And this version is more upfront with the snubs and back-handed tactics; the remake seems to gloss over such things, if I remember correctly. Then again, I need to rewatch both films.

[–] Seronica123 18 years ago

I got over being a mulatto after kindergarden. I used to get confused about my mixed race and I used to think that I was the only one and that I was different from everyone else.

Gerard Way is cute

[–] dadbowen-1 17 years ago

I do not think this is a racist movie. I believe it was trying to make white america aware of the unfair treatment of blacks. The title of the the movie is IMITATION of LIFE. this was to portray the idea of Delilah, being the inventor of the famous pancakes, was not given an equal life as the white lady. It was trying to show how real it was and how, no matter the intellegence or wealth of a black person, typical whites still saw them as unequal. Thus, delilah had not a real life, but an IMITATION of life. The daughter, Peola, part of the movie I think was trying to show how hard it was for blacks to be accepted by whites. A young girl may indead have a hard time with identity when the so-called "black" side of her would be mocked and degrated endlessly. But she found a way to get around this by passing as white. She was not the first to do this in history. I can not speak for what it is like to be in that situation, but I do think the movie's point was to use this to show white prejudis.

To me the sterotypes were used to fight sterotypes in a sarcastic sort of way.

That is just my thought.

[–] Son_Of_Malcolm 17 years ago

you make good points but i still feal the movie reaked of racism just like many still today......................

H DLUM

[–] reikun86 17 years ago

The only thing I can say about this movie is never watch it with your mother. It is the ultimate guilt-trip mother's day movie. Terms of Endearment have nothing on this.

If you look past color, this is a movie is about mothers trying to make a life for their daughters. Delilah didn't think of color when Peola is concerned. She sees her DAUGHTER, no more, no less. The scene where Peola claimed that she never met Delilah in her life is gutwrenching not because Delilah's black and her daughter's trying to be white, but because a daughter denies her own mother. Who would do that to their own mother? I'm not talking about the woman who gave birth. For some women have no problem dropping their young into dumpsters, or slapping the crap out of them because they exhaled. They are not mothers. Mothers are those who love and truly sacrifice their all so that their children can live in a better world. Delilah tried to see to that for Peola. And Peola didn't realize this until it was too late.