MovieChat Forums > Boomerang (1992) Discussion > i think this movie is racist

i think this movie is racist

posted 20 years ago by jim-764
141 replies | jump to latest

i'm probably the last person to point out that something is racist but this movie makes it obvious.

these are the only white people in the whole movie:

1. waitress in the beginning, (M. Lawrence said she was racist, made her look like a jackass)
2. salesman at clothing store, (again made him a racist and made him look like a complete *beep*
3. 4 brute guys carrying grace jones in her premier. these guys were chained and treated like reindeer.

those were the only white people in the movie. to me, it seemed the makers of the movie went out of their way to send a message.

loved the movie, hilarious. love eddie, love martin, love david alan grier, but i think this movie is racist.

i think it is very unfortunate that many races have been through racism is recent history, but please, it's a 2way street and we need to kill the whole idea of racism. i know, impossible, but it doesn't mean we can't try.

God bless!!!!!

[–] ganstaman56 18 years ago

Well i think you need to STFU

God bless!!!!!

Well you just lost what little respect i had left for you right there.

[–] abduljabbaar 18 years ago

I like the fact that in National Lampoon's Vacation, the only Black people in that movie are in St. Louis and they are all crooks. But that movie is hilarious and a classic.

We are all so brainwashed that we expect the Blacks to be crooks and the Whites to be executives. When that's not the case, we call foul. Go figure.

[–] Nyla 18 years ago

I remember when this movie came out, a lot of critics dogged this movie claiming that it wasn't realistic. They weren't referring to the part of Marcus getting played by a woman. They were referring to the number of successful Black career people. The fact that Marcus and the other characters work for a top Business was not realistic because they were black. Blacks being sucessful, living an upperclass life was not realistic to the critics.
I have a lot of respect for this movie for showing us that Black folks can be successful. We need more characters like those on the movie and television screen to show today's generation that you can be successful. The only Blacks characters that you see in the media are the negative stereotypical ones. What about showing black characters who are making it? Hopefully if our generation and the next upcoming generation who are watching these non stereotypical characters, they will be inspired to make their lives better.

Hopefully it will open doors for a lot of Black actors and actresses to audition for roles that are nonstereotypical.

[–] blackchineygal 17 years ago

There were more white men in this movie, Jim. The executives who hated the first Strange commercial when she gave birth to the perfume bottle and the french executives that loved the second Strange commercial.

[–] aquascenes83 17 years ago

I didnt think this movie was racist. Yes we can all point out that there were very few white people in this movie - so what? I'm a white person and i am not a racist and i believe some of the greatest comedians and talents come from people of color. I have great respect for those who do their best and make something out of their life. And so it just turns out that many black people are comedians and have a different take on comedy. It's different and its always been funny...so i ask again, so what? I dont see a problem with any race of "people" having their way with the world a little bit. Were all people and sooner than later we should all try our hardest to put the past behind us and accept everyone as they are. It will probably never happen because we will all be against eachother forever....even over something as stupid as color of skin. What a wonderful world we all live in....and yes someone said earlier this is just a MOVIE, lets try and leave it at that please.

"Man's reach exceeds his imagination..." - Hugh Jackman

[–] mswoc 17 years ago

There were whites on the board of directors, they were in the meeting for reviewing the commercial ads

[–] jetagarlo 17 years ago

I usually never comment on these things so excuse the typos, and all that.

So here goes: I imagine that when you're a white person (which i assume you are and could be wrong) you don't take notice to the fact that the majority of the cast in most mainstream pictures are white, and that those played by people of color seem like stereotypes.

Its interesting that you're getting a taste of what people of color go through a lot when watching films. this is not a criticism, just an observation.

I'm not saying eye for an eye, but what i am saying is that when i watch a film with white people i try to identify with the characters, i enjoy the film, but don't always need to see myself in the film. It's sad in my opinion i have to do this more than i would like, but thats life and i love movies.

I'm not black and i'm not white, but i love this film. Because its about men and women. It was one of the first films i saw as a kid that talked about sex not just as romance but in a way that was honest and funny.

So instead of screaming racism, (which btw hasn't been a 'recent' event, but happening for centuries) I would try to identify with the characters (who were written by white screenwriters btw), and understand that this is maybe how these particular character's see the world. and enjoy.

thank you.

[–] lyndadavis_07 17 years ago

This is exactly right jetagarlo. It's the same with many groups not just racism. When a man sees a movie that degrades or makes men look bad he may notice whereas he may never notice that the same thing happens to women all the time in movies. Whites may never notice how blacks look in movies with a mainly white cast but notice how whites look in movies with a mainly black cast. I think it's sad that people only see discrimination when it happens to them.

[–] Storm23S 17 years ago

The funniest thing in this ENTIRE thread to me is how the OP and certain other (white) posters kept ignoring VERY intelligent and good points posters were bringng up about movies and sitcoms with all white casts. Do any of you who are opposed to this movie believe that it's actually REALISTIC to live in NEW YORK CITY and NEVER encounter black people which is the case with Seinfield and Woody Allen Movies? Right, it's total bulls*it.

I hope the OP finds it equally as offensive when he watches movies or sitcoms with all white casts, but somehow I doubt it.

Can any of you opposing this move answer these questions though.

Why is it okay for people like Seinfield, Woody Allen and others to create shows and movies where they live in a white world, with no minorities, but as soon as a Black person or any minority decides to make a movie w/black people only it's a problem? IF people wont put us in their moives or shows, what the heck are we supposed to do?

[–] wbtlr 17 years ago

Storm, you raise a very good point. It's ludicrous to find this movie offensive because either whites aren't portrayed positively enough, or because blacks are portrayed too positively. If someone were offended for these reasons, I'd suggest they take a break from movie-watching for a while and perhaps take a little refresher course in entertainment history.

But here's what I want to say that maybe hasn't come before in this board. The portrayal of a large corporation as having ONLY African Americans in its structure is unrealistic, yes, but what is more disturbing is that this can be seriously damaging to the quest for equality. Such an unrealistic vision can give the sense that a group has already arrived, when there is so much more to be done. Films like this one can tend to encourage, among those not watching with a critical eye, the mistaken sense that we no longer need to avoid complacency in racial issues...

[–] activista 11 years ago

@wbtir

Excuse me. There are corporations that are OWNED and staffed by mostly black folks in mainly black cities---like Detroit, Atlanta, Southfield (MI) and Washington D.C. So no, it isn't unrealistic at all. And white filmmakers show unrealistic situations in film and TV ALL the time. Bottom line is, it's a film dealing with black people FROM a black perspective because it was MADE by black people. It's just a movie, and it's not about the quest for equality. It's a movie made by black folks for other black folks. Accept it or just leave it alone.

[–] jim-764 16 years ago

Storm, I am the OP and I check this board every 6 months or so to see what's going and I rarely respond. However, I think you and most people are missing my point. Yes, I agree with most about all white casts and how unbelievable it is, but that's not the point I have made. The point is that when the white people in this movie appear it seems that go out of their way to make them look bad (look at the original post please, I pointed out 3). Point out a scene in the movie where there is a white person who is actually not an ass or is innocent.......then name me a movie (or show) where all the black people were portrayed in this manner. One I can remember is "It's a Wonderful Life" where the only black person was their Cook/Maid and even then she was a very sweet and funny lady.

[–] zhuaple 17 years ago

TOTALLY AGREE!!!

[–] yamaster 16 years ago

well think of all the white movies that black people aren't in. hhhhaha