Or Jim Crow or the klan or continued racism and oppression even today. They can't stand when a fraction of a percent of their own racism is reflected in the mirror for them to see
shareI'd venture to say that most everyone who has seen this movie hasn;t gone through slavery.
I don;t rest on the laurels of my forefathers' emancipation. I see no reason for others to rest on the laurels of their forefathers' slavery.
I'm not upset about this movie because of the racism. I'm upset with this movie because it is horribly written, horribly acted, horribly directed and a major disappointment after Singleton's brilliant "Boyz in the Hood".
"De gustibus non disputandum est"
#3
You didn't go through slavery. Slavery never was an American thing or black thing. It was around long, long, long before America existed. We're talking BC.
Clark's destiny = Superman, LL & LL.
@gabby_bm.
Well said. Even as you refuse to rest on the laurels of your ancestors emancipation, nor do I care that my ancestors too were likely slaves...indentured servants. That's still a form of slavery.
If anything I was deeply impressed with the film and I praise John Singleton for having the courage to show that Racism cuts both ways and four hundred years of oppression is no excuse for deplorable behaviour.
It takes courage to see your own side and admit to ones own faults. This movie was pretty much Singletons way of saying; "It's not always the white mans fault and we must take responsibility for our own actions as we can be our own worst enemy."
The Professor (Fishbourne) and Deja (Banks) were the spokespersons of this philosophy and represented the determination to succeed despite the odds without playing the race card or the blame game while Fudge (Cube) represented the self-righteous and self-defeating aspects among Afro-Americans, While Malik (Epps) represented the ones who are frustrated, confused and indecisive.
@Kartoon-1
It takes courage to see your own side and admit to ones own faults. This movie was pretty much Singletons way of saying; "It's not always the white mans fault and we must take responsibility for our own actions as we can be our own worst enemy."
Slavery never was an American thing or black thing. It was around long, long, long before America existed. We're talking BC.
I think the point is that slavery was around long before America and it still exists today. Slavery is not an American thing or a black thing. It is a human thing.
Or should I say an inhuman thing.
"De gustibus non disputandum est"
#3
@gabby
No,dear, it's also an American thing because for the first 246 years of this country's existence, that's exactly WHAT we were---a country RUN on slavery. There's no getting up,down,or around that. And talking about how slavery existed in countries dosen't excuse or erase the fact that it was allowed to go on for nearly three centuries in our own back yard.
And we can beat it to death but that will never change a damned thing. What can we do about it now? We can't da anything to alter the past. What's done is done. All we can do is look to where slavery still exists and do our damnedest to end it. Today. Right now.
(and this country has only existed for 236 years, of which less than 100 of them had legalized slavery)
Botany Bay? Bought on Ebay?!! Oh NO!!!
There was racism in both sides. When Omar's character is wearing a black panther shirt, what does he expect some white guy to think ? Ever heard Khalid Muhammad speak about killing white and jewish babies?? It's on YouTube before anyone calls me a liar. The panthers are clearly racially biased and hate all whites and Jews, and are no different from the rhetoric heard from skinheads. Stanley tookie williams was a panther and known racist who shot 4 nonblack people in a robbery, and people make this thug a martyr. Too bad he didn't have a change of heart before he took the lives of four innocent people. What about Mumia Jamal? He shoots a white cop for no reason and is idolized, despite several eye witnesses. In the eyes of his supporters, he killed two birds with one
stone by Killing a white cop. I can understand the guy getting upset about the shirt. It's pretty much the same as a white guy wearing a rebel flag shirt. Many see it as a symbol of hate, others see it as southern pride. Many blacks see the panthers as revolutionaries and respect what they stand for, while others see them as extremists advocating hate. Ice cube's character was a bit of a bully, especially with his white roommate. As I said there was hate on both sides, and of someone says otherwise they have their heads up their ass,
So, a black panther shirt makes on racist? Do you even know the history of the black panthers, and why the whole movement was started?
shareThe panthers of the 60's may not have been racist, but the new black panther party today is. When you talk about about suffocating white babies, why are you surprised people would call them racist?
shareAnd of course Omar referring to some black guy's white girlfriend as a cave bitch. Almost the same as a white guy calling a white woman's black boyfriend a monkey or coon. Tyra's death was unnecessary. There was no need for anyone to get shot.
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Frankly, most of the blacks in this movie played the victim. Some were victimized, so I cant complain there. But the most likable characters in this movie were the teacher and Malik's girlfriend neither of whom played the victim.
I really don't think that race is the issue when it comes to distaste for this film. I think the foremost feeling about this movie is disappointment after seeing Singleton's "Boyz in the Hood". This film has so many cliches and one-dimensional characters that it just becomes laughable- which makes Singleton's message lost or fall flat.
(What does "ratchet" mean in the context you're using it? I haven't heard that term used in the way you're using it).
one thing this film DID get right was how easily kids this age (of all races and backgrounds) are influenced by and adopt the ideas and philosophies of more dynamic people and allow their thinking to be influenced by them- at least before they grow up and start doing a little thinking for themselves.
GO SEAHAWKS! WORLD CHAMPIONS!
Give me an example of this 'Victim' Thing. I'll get to the ratchet thing later.
shareMalik in the elevator when the white chick clutches her purse tightly. Malik gives a "pshht" to that action. We're given the impression it's because he's black. But I'm white and have seen the same reaction to my presence. it MAY be because he's black It may be that she's never been around many blacks to make any judgment based on anything but the movies. It may be because he's a male alone in an elevator with her. It may be because she's just not a trusting person or has had her purse taken from her before. But we're given the impression it's because he's black and that's what Malik was going with.
Malik gets a full scholarship. All he has to do is run his ass off. but he's playing the victim because he's "forced" to run like a thoroughbred. He's not a victim. He's a lucky sonofabitch for getting his college tuition paid.
Ice Cube invades a party. Starts verbally assaulting the guests and is asked for his student ID. He plays off it's because he's black as opposed to being a black aggressor with several aggressive blacks at a known, predominantly white frat house.
These are just three off the top of my head. I haven't seen this movie in over ten years, and I'm sure there are more I would see if i watched it again.
Certainly there are instances conveyed intelligently where race-victimization is a part. When Malik's girlfriend talks about being the first suspect when things go missing in her sorority house, for instance. That was intelligently presented and (I would imagine) accurate.
And then there's over-the-top laughable scenes like stopping the black guy while they psycho white dude is running through the cafeteria with a rifle after a shooting. (yes, the Keystone Kampus Kops thing was overplayed and a bit ridiculous)
It's just a real potpourri of messages that are delivered haphazardly. Singleton has done good work. I just think this film was far beneath his ability to convey ideas, sympathy and a powerful narrative.
GO SEAHAWKS! WORLD CHAMPIONS!
Wow!!! The old "These are Not The Droids You're Looking For" Tactic. That hasn't been tried on me by a white person in years. So, a response to a blatant racist act is playing victim? I had to laugh at that "We're given the impression it's because he's black" that's where your attempt at the Jedi Mind Trick comes in. Why else would she clutch her purse. You can never convince me or any other black man that it's not Racial. Unless you can provide videos, or an article on how that happens to you and other whites, I gotta call bullcrap on that one. You're one of those whites that tries to play victim whenever the subject of black on white racism comes up. but, it's funny how none of you never have the evidence to back up your claims. Sorry. Despite what Homer Simpson said a long time ago, People DON'T always believe everything a white male says. You're all over the place with the Ice Cube Scene. According to you, When a black woman is verbally assaulted by a white, She's just suppose to take it? The white boys should be able to call her out of her name without any repercussion? Sure, take racism with dignity. that's what your point is, right? As far as the cops goes. There are many articles (Google Them) where cops naturally assumes that the whites are victims when there's an incident concerning a black person and a white person. I'm sure you know that. hence, the psycho whiteboy comment. that scence stems from reality. You knew that,too, I'm sure. All the other $h1t you posted fails to show me where the "Victimhood" comes in. A lot of double-talk and Diverting the issues. try again.
”Deh Deh Deh, DA Dabacco”-Puert Rican dude from the ”I aint your Papi” episode of COPS.
I'm not exactly a clean-cut guy in an Armani suit here. If I walk on an elevator with a female person she's going to clutch her purse and have her hand on the pepper-spray ready to go. Do I feel victimized by that? No. I consider it common sense to be protective and defensive when one feels threatened.
I will ask, do you think she would have clutched her purse tightly if it was a black female who got on the elevator? I personally don't think she would. In her case, i think that a majority of her problem was that Malik was male. That he was black was an additional perceived threat, but not the primary threat. I think she would have been almost as threatened had one of Remy's skinhead buddies gotten on the elevator with her. Or a Hispanic or Asian for that matter. I'm not saying that race didn;t play a part, but it wasn;t the only part.
It would be interesting to test whether a black woman would clutch her purse tighter or not based on the color of a male entering the elevator with her.
According to you, When a black woman is verbally assaulted by a white, She's just suppose to take it? The white boys should be able to call her out of her name without any repercussion? Sure, take racism with dignity. that's what your point is, right?
Who are you trying to convince about this whole 'Women clutch their purses when YOU'RE around'? Me or Yourself? You're trying really hard to convince me of this fantasy, while in reality, you're trying to play the victim card. Stop it. You'll do better trying to convince me that there's a god. As far as Ice Cube goes. When there's an incident on campus with many people involved, The police (Campus or Local) are suppose to ask ALL INVOLVED for I.D. check your local statute. When you do, give me the link to your source.
shareDo your own research. I'm done with you.
GO SEAHAWKS! WORLD CHAMPIONS!
Don't forget Ice Cube was a bit of a bully and prick himself. When you have roommates, you are suppose to be considerate of one another. He and busta rhymes come in the dorm while the one guy is studying, and Ice Cube and BR start acting loud and obnoxious while he's studying & then tell him that they'll kick his ass if he were to do the same thing to him. You can kinda understand why the white guy resented blacks. I don't condone him shooting those people , but I understand his frustration.
shareI'm not upset. I just thought it was caricatured to the point of being a cartoon, a constantly ham-handed way of conveying its message which they pointed out on another thread made it full of unintentional humor. Most of the characters were so over the top I just couldn't take it seriously. It's a shame because Singleton could have done so much more with it.
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