MovieChat Forums > Meet the Browns (2008) Discussion > Any black person like myself can't ident...

Any black person like myself can't identify with this cultural image?

posted 17 years ago by donnastar2001
49 replies | jump to latest

I am an African American woman who grew up in New Orleans and is currently living there. Why? I don't get it. Every black friend I have which is most of my friends do not talk like this or act like this. I just don't get it. I have friends from Los Angeles to New York and Tyler Perry films always come up. I am an actress and most of my friends are either actors, writers, directors and producers. I have tried to watch 2 of his films- Diary of a Mad Black Woman and Why Did I Get Married. Quite frankly if one more man portrays a black woman such as Madea- loud, rude and just all around ridiculous....I am just going SCREAM! Since when smacking a cop or hitting a kid across the head Christian? Can someone please explain this to me? Since when constantly having a black woman mentally and verbally abused by our BROTHERS/LOVERS a good message? Can someone please tell me that they are equally offended by his films. I am a very fair skinned black woman who has been raised in a moderate middle class family in New Orleans where all of my family has had blue collar careers- nurse, police officer, construction etc. Most if not all of my family is still putting there lives together after the storm. I don't know any of the characters in these films that remind me of any of them. I get questioned that I am not a supporter but I know that at the same time most people (our own people) would never want to see me in his films because I am not black enough. Why are these films the only representation of who we are? Why is Tyler Perry the only voice that we seem to debate and except as our one savior of filmmaking? I mean come on! Jennifer Lewis has been playing the same character since she started her tv and film career. The sad thing is she is extremely talented but for some reason she is continually cast as this loud sassy woman. Now I know the response will be the same "SHE GOT PAID THOUGH!" So who cares! I'll bet my life that if Angela Basset or Jennifer Lewis could be seen in a Shakespearean play in an arena in Athens as the headliner for a year they wouldn't even blink to go. They are trained actresses who have placed in a box because of the color of their skin. You know and I know it and I know most people out there would agree with me.

[–] khia213 17 years ago

No, Tyler Perry does not represent me with his film, either. I don't know the people in his movies and I really don't want to.

[–] darlee-anderson 17 years ago

I hate all of these films. He's horrific. the writing is bad and the plot setup is high school level.

I am an African-American woman living in Atlanta. These films are major events and major topics for conversations amongst my friends. I have been labeled a hater and that's fine by me. My grandmother was an upstanding woman not some stereotypical large woman who drinks and takes a chainsaw to an apartment. Ridiculous.

I don't support them and never will, although to the original poster, what does the light skinned thing have to do with this? I was with you all the way till you said that!

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[–] flcnesbitt 17 years ago

what did Tyler say about New Orleans?

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[–] khia213 17 years ago

I'm sure I know what you're implying and based on his hateful attitudes toward women, i think you're right.

[–] shawn90801 17 years ago

Black people no longer need to worry about racism, especially when we are worse than crabs. Do you know what crabs do? Put them in a barrel and watch as they drag one another down when one is almost out. Self hatred is a sad and pathetic thing.

Even if Mr. Perry doesn't make movies you like be thankful that he's making movies period. Giving Black actors a chance. That's more than probably any of you posters are doing.

And another jab at his sexuality. Why are you so worried about who and who he is not sleeping with? He's an adult and any decisions he makes are between him and God.

Let's talk about backgrounds. I'm 4th generation Californian. Born and raised in one of the most affluent counties in the nation. I've never been a single mother nor have I been in any of the predicaments some of Mr. Perry's characters have been in but I still enjoy his films. Why? Because I take it for what it is. Entertainment. Maybe you should do the same.

[–] filmscribe 17 years ago

Oh I am so sick of the knee jerk "crabs in a barrel" response everytime a black person criticizes Tyler Perry's work. Guess what, we dont all have to like his films, even though we can be happy for him for being financially successful at a legitimate business.

I agree wholeheartedly with the OP.

[–] lexom-returns 17 years ago

^^^^

Exactly, minus the part about my even being happy for him.

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[–] darlee-anderson 17 years ago

There are a great deal of upper-class African-Americans in Atlanta. A great deal as it is a Black mecca. I know scores who absolutely refuse to support this garbage. They are sick of this jerk being the voice of black america. As if...

On the flip side, I have a large group of friends who will go and see anything that says Tyler Perry. One friend in particular says that she has never seen anything other than his movies on the big screen that she can relate to her own life. She knows domestic abuse, she knows the lack of a good man and on and on and on. So I'm left thinking is this the sum total of the black experience? Sad.

So I say all of that to say, we as a people, are as multi-faceted as any other race. I don't have to lift someone up just because he is black. There are going to be things that the black race does en mass that I am not going to agree with and I have that right as an individual.

He does not speak for me and never will.

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[–] deloisfromil 17 years ago

The only black american that Tyler Perry can speak for is Tyler Perry, thats the media thats says that. Now i am ok with TP but i do not like all his movies nor do i like all his plays, but i have friend who absolutely adore all his works, but TP can only speak for himself, but meet the browns was better than most of his movies, because it was a little funny, and not showing too much domestic abuse, and had a love story.

[–] shawn90801 17 years ago

Did you bother to read my entire post? Or the posts before mine? Of course you don't have to like Mr. Perry's work. You have the right to like or dislike anything or anyone but while disliking the person and/or his/her craft is it necessary to question their sexuality and spread hateful rumors? That is the crab like behavior I speak of.

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[–] filmscribe 17 years ago

Yes I bothered to read your entire post and in no way did it clearly link your crabs in the barrel statement to questions about his sexuality. this is what you said

"Black people no longer need to worry about racism, especially when we are worse than crabs. Do you know what crabs do? Put them in a barrel and watch as they drag one another down when one is almost out. Self hatred is a sad and pathetic thing.

Even if Mr. Perry doesn't make movies you like be thankful that he's making movies period. Giving Black actors a chance. That's more than probably any of you posters are doing."

and why is saying that he is a homosexual a "hateful rumor"?

[–] kaydenpat 12 years ago

Here here!

If you don't like his movies, don't watch them. I agree with you that his movies resonate with many viewers, that's why he has an audience which supports his movies. That's why he's a multi-millionaire director. That's why he is one of the few Black directors making $$$ in Hollywood.

I don't get the whining and moaning about Tyler Perry by his detractors.

Don't watch his movies if they are "beneath" you.

[–] sirwoodz 17 years ago

"Something tells me he loves Atlanta because of something else, but I'll stop."

Oh we know why he loves atlanta...wait until his little "run" is up and the whole world will know when he decides to tell us...

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[–] youngdee87 17 years ago

People are a trip. They come on here writing these long ass messages... thinking they are speaking real *beep* but don't have a clue. Donna obviously you've missed the message of his plays and movies, so there isn't even a need to go there with you. Baby, how about you stop talking about other well-known actresses careers and get your *beep* up?! Get your ass off this damn computer and in some casting calls.

[–] cocoamoviebuff 17 years ago

ok i understood everything else you mentioned and agree but why the HELL did you feel that you needed to add that you were "fair skinned" that has nothing to do with anything.

[–] SocialReaction 17 years ago

I agree with you and nearly every other poster on this board. I have attended two screenings of his movies in theaters and another time I just rented it. I am a person that is willing to see something even though I know it probably won't be all that great. Essentially, I went to "Meet the Browns" with low expectations and I left the theater feeling that I expected way too much.

As a member of the Black community, I have done and will continue to do things to support our community but I am not sure if I can continually condone such simplistic and formulaic representation of Black communities and Black families. While I applaud Perry for trying to represent Black folk in positive roles, I feel disheartened to think is this the best that we got? Should I compromise my standards and expectations simply because a person is trying to the positive thing?

Is anyone else insulted by the overacting done in his movies?

[–] soblessed 17 years ago

Quote"Every black friend I have which is most of my friends do not talk like this or act like this. I just don't get it. I have friends from Los Angeles to New York and Tyler Perry films always come up. I am an actress and most of my friends are either actors, writers, directors and producers."

Oh Puhleeeease you are not talking about your average black here now are you? You are talking about educated upper class blacks. What has Bill Cosby said about blacks?

What planet have you been on? I agree with Tyler Perry about finding blacks who speak correct grammar!

I happen to be white with a bi-racial granddaughter. I know from the experience of having a 'wigger' son,how most of your average blacks here in Ohio talk,and believe me we also see Perry's characters in real life here,too! He could have come here to film DOAMBW or Madea Goes To Jail. We know blacks who go to church and praise the Lord and go home and smoke dope or go out sleepin around that night!

The only thing is I also do not think Tyler Perry is a good example for Christians,and his films most certainly have much offensive in them.

But consider yourself lucky that none of 'YOUR' black friends are like the characters in a Tyler Perry film,and good luck on your continued avoiding them!

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[–] Entropy382 15 years ago

@soblessed

...What the *beep* is your problem? Do you honestly think that the 20 blacks you've encountered in your 'life' represent an ENTIRE GROUP OF PEOPLE? I could've swore Africa was a CONTINENT, not some little Inbred Hick town in Ohio.

Please don't tell me that you're a so-called 'Grandparent,' yet you're THAT laughably and pathetically dense. Please do.

I love when non-blacks like yourself try to tell black people about how they act and/or how they should live their lives, when their OWN people and lives are just as (If not more) screwed up. It's obvious that you have some deep-seated prejudice(s) and racism against black people, but here's a tip that even someone as obnoxious, puerile, indignant, repugnant, and outright STUPID as you can comprehend--The next time you come online espousing your repressed hatred for a group of people (That your 'granddaughter' is a member of, by the way), you need to not only take a long, hard look in the mirror, but also turn the T.V. off, pick up a book (If you're even capable of reading, which, judging by your little 'rant,' isn't a popular hobby of yours) and come to the realization that: 1) Black people are far more diverse than you and yours will ever be, 2) Like a Poster said earlier, Tyler Perry and the flith he calls (His) 'movies,' 'Plays,' & 'Sitcoms' don't represent anyone but (You guessed it!) TYLER PERRY, and 3)If you REALLY want to go there with racial insults, there's a TON of things that can be said about white people--Stop acting like your people are infallible, morally astute, upstanding people.

P.S.--And since you have such a problem with your son acting like a bad black stereotype, be a *beep* PARENT for once in your pathetic life and tell your son he'll NEVER be black, no matter how many black women he sleeps with.

As*h**e

A: "Is that your Bathing Suit?"

W: "Is that your Overbite?"

[–] jazzhandstothesky 13 years ago

Let the church say, "Amen"!

"Hand to hand combat does not interest me."

[–] BlackRio 17 years ago

Perhaps this is the problem of not having more viable black film makers who are able to cover the different spectrums of culture and families found within our Black communities. Being from a middle class family, a very large one at that, in all of Terry Perry's films I have found some representation of members of my large extended family or issues they've been through. Dysfunctional at times, yes. But being able to totally relate or not relate shouldn't be the basis to knock a film because it doesn't totally represent you.

Over the years, no matter who has been the black film maker du jour, the complaints against their films never change...just the name of the film maker (Spike Lee, Melvin and Mario Van Peebles and John Singleton just to name a few).

[–] bensmybaby 17 years ago

Just becoz Tyler Perry expressed his opinion does not mean he aint allowed to express it and that is HIS opinion. You say he cannot express his opinion means you cannot express your either.
Also just becoz he has these stereotypes in the movies does not mean he thinks all black people are like that nor does it mean all black people are like that.
I find his movies uplifting and the religious undertone great.
If people having so much to say about his work then he is having an impact and that is good.
Note: there is also negative stereotyping in white films.....so what can be said about that too.

Jimmy jimmy jimmy...shimmy shimmy shimmy