I saw Precious and I thought it was an excellent movie. While it both covered uncomfortable territory (incest/rape, body image) and dealt with facets of Black life that are often associated with stereotypes (ghetto living, illeteracy, obesity, teen motherhood), it managed to do so without looking cartoonish. While certain aspects of the story were culturally specific, I felt that this was a story that could have been told in Utah with a White teenager. It was more about confronting invisibility and pain, overcoming seemingly endless boundaries than it was a look at all Black female urban life. It’s absurd to think that most African American women are leading Precious lives and it’s been disheartening to see lead actress Gabourey Sidbe do countless interviews in which she has to explain that Precious’ life is not her own. The aspects of Precious that were more broadly relatable for Black women (complexion issues, inability to match ‘mainstream’ beauty standards, educational inequality) did lead to some great conversations as well.
I would have filed Ms. Parker under "things Hattie McDaniel wouldn't want you to go through". Just saying.
No one was shocked at Mo’Nique’s Oscar win last night; all signs had been pointing to her for months, despite her refusal to campaign for the award. I’m happy for her success,but it’s going to take a long time for me to wash down the bitter pill of The Parkers and Soul Plane and OMG just hearing Tyler Perry get a shout out at the Oscars made me uncomfy. I was personally a little surprised that Sandra Bullock won Best Actress for The Blind Side, but only because I had tried to pretend that movie did not exist. I still recall the horror of seeing the preview. I feel like they aired it after an Obama speech or something, just trying to make sure everyone was watching.
I’d wager some folks would be surprised that I championed Precious and completely refused to see The Blind Side. “Aint they both is stereotypes ?” they would say. I don’t feel the need to go all the way back down the “Why Precious is a good movie that people should see” road at this stage in the game. I’ll just say that one film dealt with some painful and important themes in a thoughtful and tender way, while the other seemed to be the 999th version of the “barely functional Black person saved by good hearted White person who, in turn, is also saved by said Magical Negro” formula. And while it may be a phenomenal film, I’ll never know because I can’t and won’t go back down that road again.
The issues I take with the premise of The Blind Side are similar to the ones I took with the reaction to Precious outside of the Black community. Once again, we see where stories of Black pain and pathology are celebrated by Whites in a way that reminds us that tragedy=Black reality for so many viewers. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: while I doubt someone has sat down and drawn up a plan to counteract the influence that the Obama family has on the global view of the African American, White Americans are so much more comfortable with these more tragic images because they aren’t challenging to the status quo. And when presented with something as jarring to the system as a Black POTUS, it seems natural that they would run home to the arms of the stereotypes who don’t challenge them.
The entire concept of White supremacy (You can cry for post-racial America all you want, we live in a White supremacist society. Let it burn.) depends upon notions of Black deficiency. Most White people aren’t cross burning, Tea Party attending loons, we know that. But, the sustenance of the society as we know it is reliant upon a system of privilege based on race. And when I hear White folks talk about how much they love Precious, Mo’Nique’s performance and Gabourey Sidbe, I wonder if it’s because the film and the actress are lovable or because they both hearken back to what they have accepted as authentic Blackness. The fact that Sidbe is a bubbly, vibrant young woman who shares only physicality with Precious has come as a shock to the system for interviewers and journalists who should know so much better than to assume that the big Black girl playing the big Black girl with the awful life must be one in the same.
So while it’s nice to see the success of Precious and it’s stars, it’s impossible to ignore the fact that we only see this kind of praise and acclaim when a film or role reinforces what so many want to believe about Black life. It feels bad having to include a film as good as Precious in this conversation, because incest and abuse are topics that aren’t covered as much as they should be by any means. But we know why people are drawn to these stories of our lives time and time again. And though I am sure the people whom the The Blind Side was based upon are great and sweet and well-intentioned, I have seen enough Magic Negro films to last me a lifetime.
I’m not attempting to have the “how do we get more Black movies made’ conversation for the umpteenth time. What I’m interested in more is how we we can dismantle the notion of inherent Black deficiency. How do we inform White America (and some of our own brothers and sisters) that the constant ‘Black life is tragic and violent’narrative isn’t accurate? This isn’t about making all representations of Blacks in the media sunny, but rather, how do we combat the same ole’, same ole’? Furthermore, what does the recurrent Black deficiency/Black tragedy narrative say TO Black people?
This post is ON POINT.
I enjoyed this post. I come from a time when no one from the black community won oscars or was even considered. I remember when Whoopi almost won and we all damn near died cause she didn’t. I feel your point, and while progress is slow in Hollywood…20 years ago, Mo’Nique would have been largely ignored. We need more diversity in our movies and less “soul-plane” moments. Great, great post.
“Once again, we see where stories of Black pain and pathology are celebrated by Whites in a way that reminds us that tragedy=Black reality for so many viewers.”
You are so right. Although your post isn’t about Africa, this is exactly what happens in stories about Africans. There’s no place for any images of happy or normal Africans unless they are the Noble Savage or have been rescued by a white hero.
I agree. I am only asking for balance…
THANK YOU!!! I remember listening to an EUR entertainment reporter talking about ‘the Blind Side’ about how demeaning and unrealistic parts of the film were!!! Rumor has it that the true life subject, the football player (who’s name escapes me) wasn’t all that enthralled with how he was depicted!!! And after seeing Mo on the O’s show and her acceptance speech, it was almost like it was validation for them and all the criticism that they and Perry and Sapphire took regarding this film!!
I, too, tire of the whole ‘find someone else to support’ argument, even though it is valid, but its a weak argument, IMO. As it stands, I have yet to see ‘Precious’, but I will eventually; as for ‘the Blind side’, I have no desire to see it, and I know I won’t be missing it!!!
I like this post. I’ll probably bother you about it later. lol
I haven’t seen Precious just yet. You made some great points and I agree that it shouldn’t be considered the all-in-all depiction of ourselves though it does touch on issues specific to ourselves given the current societal-racial structure.
Presumptuous or not, I’ll attempt to answer these questions directly. Hopefully others will think and answer the questions you posed for themselves as well.
What I’m interested in more is how we we can dismantle the notion of inherent Black deficiency. How do we inform White America (and some of our own brothers and sisters) that the constant ‘Black life is tragic and violent’narrative isn’t accurate?
Rid ourselves of the notion where a person’s race determines their narrative. I’ve read and heard too many times that ‘black life means tragic’ and ‘white life is easy.’ And every time someone steps out of that box to show the contrary there are our bothers and sisters telling us that it defines who we are. We have stop prejudging the lives of ourselves and others based upon race. I know it’s hard and this is not saying ‘Oh hail! post-racism America.’ But rather to not subscribe to racial prejudices within a racial society.
This isn’t about making all representations of Blacks in the media sunny, but rather, how do we combat the same ole’, same ole’?
Accept the past regardless of how ugly it is. We are forever married to America’s history, but that doesn’t mean he have to be slaves to it. In all things racial, the “Good Fight” always seems ask us to care about every little thing that happens or is said or is done or is felt. That is irresponsible! Just like in any relationship, you have to learn when not to care. Just because somethings refers to us or mentions “Black” or someone is misinformed, doesn’t mean we should hold a press conference to inform the world of the corrections. Otherwise, we end up where we are: unfocused. Everything doesn’t require one’s attention.
Furthermore, what does the recurrent Black deficiency/Black tragedy narrative say TO Black people?
To me, this is a feature of humanity. The situational and emotional extremes is what our people think tells our story. There’s a reason for that. It’s because for so long we felt like our the tragedy we experienced was either ignored or told in a way to make us seem like it did us a favor. People are still reacting to that. I want my people to “Get over it.” Yeah. Bad stuff happened and will continue to happen for the most ridiculous reasons. Self-empowerment comes once one chooses not to be limited or controlled by THEIR reactions to the past. Until that is realized, we will remain stagnant and disillusioned by the ever swaying world’s view of our people.
People will forever cry reasons why we need another set of people to look at us a certain way. Even on the individual level, this fails. On the racial level it causes more crying than the seeking of a real solution. Right now, the solution is to mold a ‘Black’ image that somehow ‘measures’ up to our view of Whites in our mind. We want uniqueness but subscribe to a template of society of what is success. Let’s be separate in our approach and implementation instead of waiting and waiting for society to come around for us. We are stagnant because we’re waiting for others. That’s why Obama’s election isn’t a valid marker of our progression as a people. Even if the society has changed, we still possess a 2nd class mentality. Those who we call leaders and do great things are the ones who discarded the need to view ourselves and the world through our history. But rather, view the world as a buffet and ourselves as humans with an insatiable appetite. To be the shit, you don’t have to wait for anyone else to validate you. You make it known and keep it moving. (power of thought and thoughtful actions?) Why does it seem like my people are waiting for the society’s view of us to become something more agreeable? Once we are able to let go of everything, only then when we be able to gain everything.
I think I got mad… lol
Thank you for this post! I couldn’t've penned it any better, myself.
I think what people fail to realize is that ‘Precious’ is uncomfortable, because it’s *supposed* to be. And its story is far-reaching and not exclusive to Black people.
I thought I was part of a small minority of people who rolled their eyes when trailers for “The Blind Side” first came out. I know I lost some Twitter followers with I tweeted my distaste for these type of films, and how I would most certainly *not* be going to see it.
great post! i agree with everything that you said…and I like what my_level said..
“Rid ourselves of the notion where a person’s race determines their narrative”
After all is said and done, I think that the tragedy=black notion is deep because black people often feel like they don’t want all these tragic stories about them depicted in film but when the stories are less tragic and more “normal” they get less viewers. I really believe that we pretend like we want a different image of ourselves presented but we really don’t. Because if we were depicted as normal then what would we have to complain/write/argue/debate about? It’s just really a touchy situation…
As for Mo’nique, I am very happy for her win. Precious was an amazing film, so much so that I never want to see it again (if you saw the movie then you know what I mean). It was national story, not just ‘black’ specific and that made it even better. And to the credit of Gabby, the fact that interviewers keep confusing her Precious character with the actual Gabourey Sidibe, is a testament to her incredible acting ability. (even though I wish they would stop thinking the actress is actually the character she played, I still think that, in a way they are giving her major kudos)
Did anyone notice that all the redeemable good hearted black people in Precious were light skinned (mariah carey’s character, the teacher and her gay lover, and Lenny Kravitz’s character) while all the dark skinned characters were ignorant dumb, ruthless and evil (the mother, daughter, and father are all dark skinned). this is not a mistake. casting directors and producers put a lot of effort in the look they want for every character in order to send a message. every actor is picked in a strategic well thought out manner. With that said, no one can say I’m reading in to this too much.
@ raz, please do not start this lightskin darkskin debate, there are entirey too many variable missing in your argument for you to narrow your assertion solely down to race. and to my knowledge lee daniels, the film director who is black, did most of the casting so is he a self hating black man? please lets broaden our scope and not narrow everything down to race.
@ my_level, i concur
Great post!! Great points!!