This is a touchy subject...

[Mr.Nerd]

I still think some blame lies with the black community, and maybe extended to the other communities too.

It's just seen by so many teenagers and young men as the cool thing to dress and act like a thug, and so many young women see thugishness and the things that go with it as attractive traits.

Members of the black community see it as a "betrayal" when a black guy behaves intelligently, or does things that aren't "black", or dates white women. It's the sad truth.

The whole point of this thread was to discuss the overwhelming amount of black sterotypes in movies. Like I said before, if all we get to see are movies about gangs and voilence and uncle tom, ass kissing black people, then where do young children get their role models from? If we get movies like Hotel Rwanda every 2 years then how is it really going to impact the black community?

Thug behavior is "attractive" because that is all we see in the media. It is popular to be black, without actually being black.

See that is with every race. Not only in the black community. I am half black and half chinese...with a white girlfriend...and listens to punk rock...so i had to deal with my fair share of name calling. Every race protects their women from other races. My girlfriend's grandparents hate her for dating outside her race.

 

[Erzengel]

I'm part white so I can only oppress you part time. I have an opening between 3 and 4 if that's okay with you. I will use my limited powers to try and "keep you down". Let me know. Thanks.

 

[KenK]

When you're dating a white person, you have truly made it in society. =P

Oh, the interracial dating issue! Especially as far as celebrities are concerned. Guys like Cuba Gooding Jr. and Taye Diggs have taken plenty of heat for marrying white chicks. Diggs' wife in particular even got death threats when she was performing in Wicked.

Then theres profesional athletes. Mind you, I think the media goes out of their way to focus on black athletes with white wives, when the majority of married black athletes are married to black women.

Is every case of a black celebrity or athlete marrying or dating a white women them trying to assimilate with white society, of course not. Some people just fall in love and that's that. But for many there is a mentality of wanting an ideal that's sold to you, and nothing's more idealistic than a white chick! ('cept maybe an Asian chick?)

 

[Chris Wallace]

The whole point of this thread was to discuss the overwhelming amount of black sterotypes in movies. Like I said before, if all we get to see are movies about gangs and voilence and uncle tom, ass kissing black people, then where do young children get their role models from? If we get movies like Hotel Rwanda every 2 years then how is it really going to impact the black community?

Thug behavior is "attractive" because that is all we see in the media. It is popular to be black, without actually being black.

See that is with every race. Not only in the black community. I am half black and half chinese...with a white girlfriend...and listens to punk rock...so i had to deal with my fair share of name calling. Every race protects their women from other races. My girlfriend's grandparents hate her for dating outside her race.

When you say "media", are you ALSO factoring in how whenever there's a black eyewitness on the news, it seems like they purposely sought out the most ignorant & inarticulate n-word they could & put hiim/her on camera?

 

[thealiasman2000]

Since you mentioned the dreaded n-word:

why is it OK for black people to use it, but not for white people?

I mean, when a black person says its, it's perfectly natural, but when a white person says it everybody acts like he just raped a 6 year old kid.

Shouldn't the use of profanity be equal to all races?

 

[KenK]

The whole point of this thread was to discuss the overwhelming amount of black sterotypes in movies. Like I said before, if all we get to see are movies about gangs and voilence and uncle tom, ass kissing black people, then where do young children get their role models from?

How about their parents?!?! I definitely agree that we should have more positive and diverse depictions of blacks, but at the end of the day, the 'rents should be the biggest influence and the primary role model in EVERY child's life, no matter what the race. Too many parents in the past went on tirades blaming things like video games and Marilyn Manson music for their children screwin' up, when they should have been looking in the mirror. My parents busted their asses making sure I didn't emulate the knuckleheads I saw on television and videos, and I thank them every day for it. More parents need to do the same.

If we get movies like Hotel Rwanda every 2 years then how is it really going to impact the black community?

I think part of our problem is that some of us put a lot of focus on entertainment to affect change in our community (not to imply that that's your only way of thinking, Mr. Nerd, but I thought your comment was a good point to follow up with my point), and that's what it is at the end of the day. It's a powerful tool in getting positive messages to the masses, no doubt about it, but if it's not doing what it can to impact the black community, we can focus on other sources.

See that is with every race. Not only in the black community. I am half black and half chinese...with a white girlfriend...and listens to punk rock...so i had to deal with my fair share of name calling.

If you haven't already heard of this, check this site out: www.afropunk.com

Every race protects their women from other races. My girlfriend's grandparents hate her for dating outside her race.

Yeah, this is true

 

[Chris Wallace]

Since you mentioned the dreaded n-word:

why is it OK for black people to use it, but not for white people?

I mean, when a black person says its, it's perfectly natural, but when a white person says it everybody acts like he just raped a 6 year old kid.

Shouldn't the use of profanity be equal to all races?

Oh, boy.
I, personally, for years found the word to be offensive no matter who said it. I have since come to a point where I realize that it's just a word, just 6 little letters & fearing it-or having ANY strong emotional response to it-gives both the word & its user power over me. And that's a power none but God should have.
So instead I focus on the context in which it's used, rather than the color of the person using it. If you say it in a negative way, I'll react like you called me an idiot.

 

[thealiasman2000]

I mean, this board lets you say things like "ass", "dick" or "crap", but it shudders at the notion of the n-word.

Movies that are perfectly PG-13 get rated R just because of the n-word.

 

[KenK]

Since you mentioned the dreaded n-word:

why is it OK for black people to use it, but not for white people?

Because we've deluded outselves into think we're taking it and changing its meaning within the black community, and it no longer belongs to white people. It's ultimately foolish because most of us have no clue on the words complete history. We refused to understand what our ancestors went through and believe the bones and scraps white society have thrown us make up for all they've done to us, and that we're finally equal, when nothing could be further from the truth. Remember what I said about being rich and being wealthy? There are a lot of wealthy white people, enough to influence the course of society and the economy. There are a lot of rich black people, who don't influence a damn thing. Has anyone other than a white male over 30 been president of the United States? No. Any blacks own 90 billion dollar companies like Bill Gates? No. Take the richest black business owner in the United States, and the wealthiest white business owner will be able to buy that black owner's company with whatever he finds in his pants pocket.

Shouldn't the use of profanity be equal to all races?

There's a difference between profanity and racial epiteths!

 

[Chris Wallace]

How about their parents?!?! I definitely agree that we should have more positive and diverse depictions of blacks, but at the end of the day, the 'rents should be the biggest influence and the primary role model in EVERY child's life, no matter what the race. Too many parents in the past went on tirades blaming things like video games and Marilyn Manson music for their children screwin' up, when they should have been looking in the mirror. My parents busted their asses making sure I didn't emulate the knuckleheads I saw on television and videos, and I thank them every day for it. More parents need to do the same.



I think part of our problem is that some of us put a lot of focus on entertainment to affect change in our community (not to imply that that's your only way of thinking, Mr. Nerd, but I thought your comment was a good point to follow up with my point), and that's what it is at the end of the day. It's a powerful tool in getting positive messages to the masses, no doubt about it, but if it's not doing what it can to impact the black community, we can focus on other sources.



If you haven't already heard of this, check this site out: www.afropunk.com



Yeah, this is true

You remember a commercial in which Charles Barkley raise the sam argument about role models? It's true-entertainers should not be molding our kids. But being a force that many kids spend more time with & pay more attention to than any parental unit, they're far too easy a scapegoat for parents who aren't doing their jobs.

 

[Chris Wallace]

Because we've deluded outselves into think we're taking it and changing its meaning within the black community, and it no longer belongs to white people. It's ultimately foolish because most of us have no clue on the words complete history. We refused to understand what our ancestors went through and believe the bones and scraps white society have thrown us make up for all they've done to us, and that we're finally equal, when nothing could be further from the truth. Remember what I said about being rich and being wealthy? There are a lot of wealthy white people, enough to influence the course of society and the economy. There are a lot of rich black people, who don't influence a damn thing. Has anyone other than a white male over 30 been president of the United States? No. Any blacks own 90 billion dollar companies like Bill Gates? No. Take the richest black business owner in the United States, and the wealthiest white business owner will be able to buy that black owner's company with whatever he finds in his pants pocket.



There's a difference between profanity and racial epiteths!

I never knew you were this smart.

 

[KenK]

I never knew you were this smart.

I'll take that as a compliment and keep it movin'.

 

[Chris Wallace]

I mean, this board lets you say things like "ass", "dick" or "crap", but it shudders at the notion of the n-word.

Movies that are perfectly PG-13 get rated R just because of the n-word.

Don't get me wrong; by the same token it should NOT be regarded as a badge of honor either. Its actual definition is "lazy, uncouth or ignorant person". Keep that in mind next time someone throws it around haphazardly.

 

[terry78]

Though the question arises, why would you as a non-black person WANT to use the word? Because we're not letting you?

 

[Chris Wallace]

I'll take that as a compliment and keep it movin'.

You should. That was a brilliant post.
You know what's funny? EVERY group on the planet has a racial slur designed for it, but you never see any of them embrace it & fling it around like it's some kind of cool nickname:
"We are SWA-Spics With Attitude!"
"What's up. kyke?"
"Ain't nothin' Chink."
"Hey, my honkey!"
"Yo, cracker-where you at?"
You just don't hear it.

 

[The Sage]

This is regarding my growing dissatisfaction with movies that have either predominantly black casts, and/or are made by black filmmakers.
What is wrong with these people? Do they really think this mindless tripe is entertaining? If so, it says a lot about my community-none of which is good.
Yesterday a co-worker asked me if I'd seen "Little Man", & when I said I had no interest in seeing it, she went into a rant about how I had a "responsibilty" to support all black films.
That is the most ridiculous thing I'd ever heard. As I see it, by not supporting mediocrity, I am demanding better. I am saying that my standards are higher than what I am being offered, so I pass.
Here's what really irks me about it. 40-50 years ago, a black character in any given film was either a slave or a maid. That's because that's all that was available to them. Fast-forward about 20 years, and all you see us playing is pimps, junkies & ****es. Again, that's what was being offered. But now we have an opportunity to change all of that. We have black filmmakers. Black writers, producers & directors. And what do they choose to make? THE SAME THING! The same roles that were being offered to black actors in the 70's by white directors are now being offered by black directors. it's ridiculous. And if we're not getting another rapper starring in another "Hood" movie, we're getting lame comedies filled with ignorant stereotype humor.
How can we ever be taken seriously in Hollywood if this is what we do to ourselves?

Wow, I completely agree with you.

 

[Chris Wallace]

Though the question arises, why would you as a non-black person WANT to use the word? Because we're not letting you?

You gotta admit he has a valid point; it's not about whether or not they WANT to use it, it's how we react if they do.
There was this skit on "Cedric The Entertainer", in which a white guy had hung out w/black guys all his life. They gave him permission to say it, & when he did they beat him half to death.

 

[Galactical]

You should. That was a brilliant post.
You know what's funny? EVERY group on the planet has a racial slur designed for it, but you never see any of them embrace it & fling it around like it's some kind of cool nickname:
"We are SWA-Spics With Attitude!"
"What's up. kyke?"
"Ain't nothin' Chink."
"Hey, my honkey!"
"Yo, cracker-where you at?"
You just don't hear it.

*applauds then continues lurking over this excellent topic.*

 

[Movies205]

To put the blame on a whole culture and it's people is just ignorant. If studio executives only make movies like Get Rich or Die Tryin,' then movie goers are forced to see the same thing over and over again.

At the end of the day, white studio executives sign the checks and green lights what they want to be made. Believe it or not, old white money still rules our society.

We're talking generalities but at the end of the day, that's what black culture wants to see obviously(Again I'm not saying every black person but a good majority obviously) , if they didn't they wouldn't rush out to go see it, and movies like Hotel Rwanda would of made a ton of money. Anyway I'm less prone to believe the last statement, white men aren't trying to keep them down, there trying to make money... Look at hip-hop culture, how much money they make off people glorifying being a pimp and gangster... I doubt if they were singing songs about what it really means to be these things they'd make half as much. You guys can go off about how the white man does this but it simply not true, money talks... For the record... There some amazing black talent out there Spike Lee for instance, Don Cheadle, Terrence Howard, etc

 

[terry78]

Everyone just needs to watch the Return of the King ep. of Boondocks that came on last night. Perfect timing.

 

[Movies205]

You should. That was a brilliant post.
You know what's funny? EVERY group on the planet has a racial slur designed for it, but you never see any of them embrace it & fling it around like it's some kind of cool nickname:
"We are SWA-Spics With Attitude!"
"What's up. kyke?"
"Ain't nothin' Chink."
"Hey, my honkey!"
"Yo, cracker-where you at?"
You just don't hear it.

Actually I call other italians guinnies and wops all the time But here's the thing... The melting pot doesn't exist for black culture... Italians, Irish, and every other ethinic group that has come here faced major persecution and as time went on they intergrated into the culture, the same going happen happen for the latino populations, and a new group will move in. But for black culture it doesn't happen, there's far too much hate and pride to let it happen, hell quite a few songs is about how whitey don't belong in the circle. Till the hate is given up and people stop seeing things as I'm black, your not, or your black. It'll be this way forever... I live in RI where racism still happesn but not really on a grand scale so my view is slighted, I had a teacher from Africa who was telling us when he went to Tennessee it was tottally different he didn't feel as accepted. So my view is a Rhode Island one where this isn't really as much racism going on except for seeing black culture on TV being like we're black, your not. Oh and the usual teenage BS where it's funny to be racist, there's a lot of teenage racists for some reason

 

[Chris Wallace]

I love that Boondocks episode. It was on last night?

 

[KenK]

Though the question arises, why would you as a non-black person WANT to use the word? Because we're not letting you?

Because as a non-black, especially white people, the mentality is that what's good for you, can be good for us, too. Christ, look at rock music! The difference being the non-blacks in positions of power know better, as their supplanting of black culture has to be far more subtle than to allow such wanton use of the n-word. They leave that rappers like Busta Rhymes, who I think uses it more than any other rapper I've ever listened to. And it's sad because I've always considered him an extremely talented MC, and I'm actually lovin' his current album in spite of his excessive use of the n-word.

 

[terry78]

While you'd have to be a couple hundred years old to really say slavery affected you, that is the main reason why we have never truly attempted to "assimilate" as other groups. A lot of our ancestors were brought here against their will, whether by their own countrymen or other foreigners. It's basically been drilled into us that we're not to completely integrate into the system, as it could cause us to lose our identity. People may scoff at that, but that's what a lot of us were taught.

 

[Erzengel]

And what about White Guilt. Sometimes it seems it's white people more upset over racist advertising or overtones in the media.