Black Representation In Hollywood

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Films that hurt black America African-Americans have always had a bit of a love-hate relationship with the movies. While black artists in front of and behinds the cameras have created indelible performances, stories and images that audiences of all backgrounds cherish—there has been an ugly side to black representation in Hollywood that is unavoidable and continues to this day. From the very beginning of movies, with D.W. Griffith’s racist propaganda film The Birth of a Nation there have been racist themes and images in mainstream movies. For much of the 20th century black audiences endured blackface, coons and with the exception of a few dignified Sidney Poitier roles in the 50s and 60s — barely any representation at all. When the blaxploitation…show more content…
(AP Photo/Bruce Talamon) Madea’s Family Reunion (2006) Tyler Perry’s signature role as a gun-toting grandma might be amusing and endearing to some—but in this film and many that have followed, the performance struck some audiences as modern-day coonery. (AP Photo/Lions Gate Films/ Alfeo Dixon) The Birth of a Nation (1915) The movie that is often credited with creating modern narrative filmmaking is also responsible for recruiting Klu Klux Klansman all over the country and for cementing hateful perceptions of African-Americans that persist to this day. (AP Photo/Harris Lewine Collection) Stepin Fetchit in Hearts of Dixie (1927) During Hollywood’s golden era the only roles mainstream black actors were given the opportunity to play were humiliating and usually racist. Few were as successful as Stepin Fetchit. Billed as “the Laziest Man in the World”, Fetchit was the first black actor to make millions in the film industry. He starred in dozens of offensive films and his name is synonymous with an era Hollywood loves to forget. (AP Photo) Gone with the Wind…show more content…
(Image courtesy of Universal Pictures) Driving Miss Daisy (1989) This ultimate white liberal fantasy about an old Jewish woman befriending her kindly black driver during segregation—may have had good intentions but its simplistic narrative pales in comparison to the more intense exploration of race of the same year’s Do the Right Thing (directed by Spike Lee). Ironically, Driving Miss Daisy won the Academy Award for best picture, while Spike Lee’s masterpiece wasn’t even nominated. (Image courtesy of Warner Bros.) Bebe’s Kids (1992) An impoverished single mother with three obnoxious, unruly kids are the butt of numerous offensive jokes and scenarios in this misguided animated “comedy.” Here’s a typical line: “She’s so fine she make you want to get a job with benefits.” Are you laughing? (Image courtesy of Paramount Pictures) The Green Mile

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