MY OPINION

Lights! Camera! Action! It has been in the forefront of my thoughts and my heart for the past six years or so how the African American race has been going back in time and producing “period films” Though I am a individual who loves and adores the history of an ethic group or race I am proud to be apart of. Of course it's many accomplishments. However there is also a semi grieving of my heart. Though slavery is not dead, my opinion. (there is a different form of slavery) We continue to relish in our past at times, for me seemingly not letting go of it. Let me explain, The Butler, The Help, Selma, The Book of Negroes and soon to be on the big screen Bessie. (of course I have not mentioned a lot of other films) There is a dichotomy with these films and TV shows that come out. That being said is, I love the fact that we tell the world of how African Americans were treated in a racist society. However the other side of me feels as if it is time to move on and not continue to “show light” to the past. Though if we don't know the past and acknowledge it, how can we as a people move forward and grow? This is my dichotomy, my wrestle, my oxymoron.

Do these movies about the struggles of racism help the African American community? Do they impact the world differently? And why is it that when these subservient movies come out that the actors are now nominated for an award? There has been a plethora of work that a lot of African American actors have worked on that deserves an Oscar! Denzel Washington won an Oscar for “Glory”and though he won an Oscar for Training Day that was not Mr. Washington's best work on the screen. The Academy snubbed him on an Oscar or being nominated for his work the previous years for “crossover” films he has acted in. They felt giving him an Oscar for Training Day would make up for their oversight. Malcolm X! One of the prominent films ever made that should of given Denzel an Oscar. Mr. Washington received nothing! Yes this was a movie about race, racism. However this was a movie of a man that came from nothing and had gone through many changes and built himself into being a strong activist. Malcolm X, a public figure, motivational speaker! Who liberally spoke about the conditions of the African American people. The mindset of the people in this era. A building of a nation, Muslims, self-respect and self esteem. Many spoke of how Denzel had been snubbed once again for an Oscar.

My point being is that many of us in the past few years; African Americans have been receiving awards and being nominated for movies that have us as “The Help” literally. Whoppi Goldberg received an award for The Color Purple, which was a truly a touching film and one of my favorite films to date. Written by a wonderful writer/author Alice Walker. This film was still in the light of racism and the harshness of African American people. Another period piece, and in no way am I disrespecting this film. Though Whoppi Goldberg won an Oscar for her work in the movie Ghost. Was this movie truly a movie that deserved any awards? Again this is my opinion. However I am ecstatic that she being the first African American to receive an Oscar!

There are a plethora of roles that I have witnessed African American actors involved in that warranted Oscar's which for actors is the highest form of flattery! Why would it not be? However when recognized in the movie or entertainment industry for their body of work they have contributed. They receive awards from MTV, BET or the NAACP. Though I am grateful that they are being recognized for their work. Why is it that MTV, BET or the NAACP Awards or the ones that see the huge dynamics these actors have brought to the screen and the roles they played in these movies?

Can we not be honored and looked at for the body of work that we bring to the table and the world without doing a period piece or some racial back in the day this is what we went through to get where we are now? A mouthful I know! Does it help race relations now? Are we now and have been for years experiencing race crimes on a continuum? Aren't our little boys being shot to death by police and citizens killing our boys and girls because they thought they were being threatened? Did not Spike Lee tell you in the script about all of the young African Americans that were shot and killed in Do The Right Thing in 1989? The dissension and hate that has been prevalent in African American society since Africans were taking from the Mother Land and brought to America. Though we may live, eat, vacation, shop where we want to now. It hasn't stopped, the hate crimes, the racism. Have we overcome? Have we really? The only two organizations that still exist today and don't make as much noise as they did in the 1960's and 1970's. Are the SLCC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference) and the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Color People) It takes something tragic and detrimental for these organizations to stand up to the “man” and make some noise. Is not the fight for advancing still prominent?

Though I was born in the era of social and political change as well as racial tension. I cannot honestly say that I have witnessed Martin Luther King, Malcolm X nor the Black Panthers, NAACP or the SLCC fight for equality. But who is fighting? Who's doing the protesting here? Who is fighting for African Americans to still get better roles, more roles, produce better films of our talent and not the help or keep us dwelling in the past? Though these are stories and documentaries that indeed need to be told. However I am not feeling the buffoonery and the bamboozle of African Americans in film today. Though I thank Tyler Perry (for some movies not all) making movies that don't cast us in the past. And Spike Lee for always keeping it real. Was not Mo' Betta Blues,Jungle Fever and Do The Right Thing great movies that deserved an Oscar? Or at least an Oscar nod? What about What's Love Got To Do With It? What about Miss Evers Boys? Set It Off? So many films that were made in that were similar to these. Life stories, drama, dope dealing king pins. And they won awards! Example, The Godfather won many Oscars. Why not African American films?

This of course is my opinion, and my opinion only. Though again I am excited that African American actors are working. That they are telling the many beautiful stories of all the many people who have made history and herstory. Yes they should be told! Yes indeed. All I am saying is why are we going backwards in some cases and not getting accolades for the brilliant body of work we have brought to the silver screen? I do understand whole heartedly that we now have a platform to show and tell all the struggles we have endured and continue to endure. Some are not aware of the many artist that have made a huge contribution to music, fashion, writing and more. But can we talk, see, motivate and support the present and how a lot of African Americans have contributed socially, politically and business worthy. These people need to be recognized!

Though I cried when Jaime Foxx cried and received his Oscar for Ray. He did a astronomical performance! But there are a lot of Oscars that have not been giving out!

There is still racial tension, and there are a lot of people that loath and despise the “color” of African Americans. We come in all shades. We are loved and hated and hated to be loved. Music, fashion, our facial features, complexion, figures and richness. Yet since there are so many that want to be and look like African Americans getting all of these plastic botox operations to look more like the “colored” people. That does not help the racial climax that we are still as African Americans are experiencing in 2015!

Well I will end my opinion on this note. Maybe Jesus who is a man of color was showing us that we people of color will always suffer injustices, race relations, tension and issues. Because he was most wanted and hated! If we flip it, he was a motivational speaker, hated injustice, stood up for people and wanted to always Do The Right Thing. The irony in that alone is where I will leave my opinion.

Blessings, peace & favor

Toy High