Many have opined that black entertainment today is embarrassing, especially the content of BET. We must remember BET is a money making venture, now owned by Viacom, and its programming is reflective of its need to sell advertising bolseter the bottom line. This is true of every other station. Are we holding BET to higher standard? Unless or until it becomes unprofitable for BET to continue its programming, nothing will change. So if BET’s programming is offensive, there are only a few options we have: (1) personally boycott BET (2) continue complaining, (3) attempt to pressure BET to change its programming (not likely), or (4) find or create an alternative.

Because money is the engine for most change in the business world, it will take us supporting quality black television, movies, and music before a profound change occurs the entertainment we receive.

I remember growing up in the 70’s and would be watching a show like Good Times and my Father would say (in mild amusement), “And they took Amos & Andy off the air because it was racist!” Although Dad enjoyed the Jeffersons as well as All in the Family, because it proved that Blacks could be just as narrow minded as whites. (George really was the Black Archie Bunker)

And as far as Amos & Andy goes, there has been some reanalysis of the show (by Black and White scholars) and it can be argued that A&A had a definite “middle class America” senisibility to it, and it displayed that post war America where Black neighborhood did not automatically mean “ghetto” and the thriving Black middle class that Amos and Andy, and their wives, despite the boys’ schemes really did aspire to be part of. Check out an analysis of a charming Christmas episode that aired on that show, and you will see what I mean.

As someone pointed out above, they are irked by hip hop artists glorifying the thug life, even posers like West. Well, I have always had the (slightly) tongue in cheek belief that shows like Def Comedy Jam were actually produced secretly by the Klan or the Aryan Brotherhood! In the few times I have watched them (I make it a point to turn any show off after I hear any variation of the F-Word fifty times, which usually means that I got through about 8 minutes of DCJ)I watched young Black males basically pander to every White sterotype of young Black males. Celebrating laziness, disrespect, scoring with lots of girls, the gangsta life etc. etc. I actually heard the following on one of those shows: “Hey, you ever go out to dinner with a white couple, and they actually TIP the waitress? WTF’s up with ‘Dat! I cringed and, of course, changed the channel!

You know, I always wondered how much those actors got paid. That put her in the well to do/rich category back in the day. I wonder if she invested the money…And thinking of choice, the Spook that Sat by the Door comes to mind.

Frank Z: There could be something to what Halle claims. Some of the actresses in the 10-20 million dollar club (Julia Roberts, Cameron Diaz, for example)are not exactly from the Meryl Streep school of acting either. It’s not all about acting ability.

She deserves the stamp and I will happily purchase it in her honor!

I want to puke. Just show black folks as people, with all their foibles and pathos, please.

An accurate portrayal of history is not demeaning. The position of blacks at that time in history (the time portrayed in GWTW) was demeaning, but hiding that fact by refusing to present it does not increase black dignity, it allows us to forget the sins of the past. We must never allow that.

That’s just one white, er, excuse me, Scandinavian-American guy’s opinion.

To answer your question, it was historically accurate. I’ve seen pictures of many black people wearing scarves and “rags” on their head. It was to keep the hair free of lint and dirt while cleaning. I wear one while doing heavy cleaning myself. ESPECIALLY, if I’ve just gotten my hair done! What is the big deal. Most black women were cleaning women back then. That’s nothing to be ashamed of. My mother cleaned homes part-time to make extra money to put my brother through college and I’m very proud and grateful for her sacrifice. Anyway, whether they admit it or not, some Black people get all up in arms over stuff like the mammy character because they really do care what white people think of them. But I’ve learned that even if someone changes their opinion or view of me, that view in most cases won’t be transferred to the “rest of them” so therefore it is meaningless to me. MJ says now even immigrants disdain us because of the images they see of us in entertainment. So what. Ignorance is it’s own excuse.

Was the role written to be historically correct?

Is the cloth on the head unpalatable because it has a basis in truth? Or did Hollywood make it up? Same thing with how she spoke in the movie. Historically correct or Hollywood mix up? Seriously, I’d like to know.

Hate it or love it, you can’t change history and just because most can’t stand it doesn’t mean that none should mention it.