Racism in Hollywood

Hey Karen, I thought you may find the following bit of trivia interesting. I was reading an interview with Wesley Snipes from back when this movie was being promoted. Ming-Na's character (as his wife) was originally supposed to be a BLACK woman, but Snipes felt that it would upset Black women to see his character leave a Black woman for a caucasian. Instead, he suggested that his "wife" should be Asian. Ironically (or not), his 'real-life' wife is Korean.

1) Beautiful and sweet blond white skin Katharine Houghton´s character falls in love with elegant and strong-minded African-American Sidney Poitier´s character in 1957 ¨Guess who´s comming for dinner.¨ A controversial movie that brings the issue of racism in two homes when the young couple meet and fall in love -- practically at first sight-- and announce to their parents that they are getting married. The scenario is not so realistic, though, e.g. Sidney Poitier´s portrayal of a well-accomplished and highly-educated professional, and Katharine Houghton irradiation of warmth, charm, innocence. However, the movie is a true gem. The dialogue is inspiring and it makes you reflect. I am sure that it has been of great influence to parents of inter-racial or inter-religion couples who wish to make the marriage vows.

2) Another movie in which you have a white skin female character falling in love with an African-American male character is 1965 ¨A Patch of Blue,¨ a gem of a movie. Here, blonde, beautiful, sweet and innocent 18 yrs old Elizabeth Hartman, falls in love with older, well-educated and always handsome and elegant, Sidney Poitier. This time there is a remarkable difference, though. Elizabeth Hartman is blind and does not know that her new friend, with whom she is starting to fall in love, is a Negro. Elizabeth´s mother, portrayed by Shirley Winters, does not accept her daughter´s new relationship and tries to put an end to it.
On a different but interesting note, I am sure you will be interested to know that Elizabeth Hartman committed suicide at 44 yrs of age. Perhaps, had she had had a true caring companion in real life, as she did in this movie -- regardless of race and religion-- she would have been able to overcome the difficulties that led her to terminate her life. I am sure that any parent would prefer to have their children bonded in an inter-racial or inter-religion marriage, than dead.
This movie, as well as ¨Guess Who is Coming for Dinner¨, makes you reflect over what really matters in life. Hope everyone sees these movies and please let me know how you like them. They always show on TCM and they can be requested.

PS: I recommend you watch the trailer of both movies available in IMDB.

3) Another movie in which a white woman falls in love with a black man, and this is a contemporary movie from 2001, is SAVE THE LAST DANCE, with Julia Stiles and Sean Patrick Thomas. The good acting of the leading characters and the good script grasped my attention when I recently started watching it on TNT without knowing anything about it. It will show on TNT on Jan 7th 2007. Check it out http://www.tnt.tv/title/?oid=343696

A notable exclusion in this string is "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" (1967) with (again) Sidney Poitier being the male love interest of a white woman (Katharine Houghton).

IMDB Plot Outline: Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn play a couple whose attitudes are challenged when their daughter brings home a fiance who is black.

Karen you had hit it on the head!!! You can count with your fingers the deaph of the passion of Black men and White women compares to White men and Black women. Take for example Monster's Ball there would be less likely there would be that sex scene if the races were reversed. Check out Valentines Day aka The Protector starring Mario Van Peebles.

I once saw an interesting movie, but unfortunately I forgot the title (anyone is free to tell me).
It was about a city (probably New York) that was completely deserted after some sort of disaster, except for one black male. He eventually finds a white woman in the city and they develop a relationship. However ,later a male white sailor approaches them, and tensions grew, as the black male now feels he has served his purpose and the other guy is taking over.

there are more BM/WW relashionships on screen but it doesn't have the same depth of lets say monster's ball or "something new".the new trend is BW/WM now.but interacial couples ingeneral should be shown more.

I've noticed this Wesley Snipes does movies with women of other races. anyways, here are some interracial movies that ive know of and seen:-
1) Money Train -- Wesley Snipes and Jennifer Lopez (even though she isnt White..)
2) Jungle Fever-- Wesley Snipes and some other blonde lady
3) One Night Stand-- Snipes and Ming ...
4) Marci X-- Lisa Kudrow and Damon Waynes
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I dont see what you are complaining about... Black men are depicted as masculine sexual beings who please any woman.. esp if they are white. How about a movie where a white woman romances an Asian man.. Not too many of them.. Plenty of movies with non asian being in relations with asian women.. This movie being one of them. Still "the lover" was an exception to that rule. But the above is a Hollywood stereotype. By the way I am not against inter racial relationships OR having black actors either. But what I say is truth.. Asian women are often depicted as either overly sexual or bitchly uptight characters.