The Black Informant | African American Commentary, News and Community Building

I never watched his show but I love his movies. I always thought that his movies were about love and redemption (for the most part). As far as the characters go, my wife’s aunt Dorothy would have fit right in with the cast.

McDonald’s recording ridiculously high profit margins doesn’t make its food healthy. In that same vein, ratings from Perry’s shows don’t necessarily make those shows any good.

Let’s face it: crap sells.

What you deem as “crap” is good entertainment for someone else. For years, hip hop was also seen as “crap” by White folks and Black folks put them on blast for their uppity attitude. I think in many ways we here in the blogosphere are doing the same thing in regards to Tyler Perry.

We are all certainly entitled to our own opinion. But I think many of Perry’s critics out here in cyberspace have proven that when it comes to what we deem as “proper” entertainment is out of step with much of Black Americans.

“Crap” was undoubtedly subjective and didn’t belong in the conversation. I concede that point. What’s not so subjective is the stereotypical nature of the show and most of Perry’s work. I suspect that’s what most anti Perry-ites are more incensed by the thought of being associated with the antics on his shows simply by virtue of our skin color.

More than any other group, black folks are unfairly defined by its subculture. Latinos are close, but when it comes to being most overwhelmingly dictated to by subcultural agendas, black folks take the cake. Images and personalities in popular culture, for instance, take the wheel while our place in academics, politics, business, law, etc. all take a back seat. Even when you’re able to provide countless examples of black folks who have acheived mainstream validation without folding into stereotypes (I’ve been following your work for a while, so I know), those folks are seen as anamolies; black folks who are exceptions to the rule, rather a norm. So when shows like the Cosby show attempted to portray black life minus certain stereotypes, it was deemed too out of touch with reality. That’s a problem.

True, I can’t even lie: the Paynes could easily be my family or most black families in America. But there are also some of us who don’t subscribe to tepid and formulaic images that get the green light from television executives.

As I said before, the fact that black folks like entertainment like this doesn’t necessarily make it ‘good for them.’

Sorry D. That first paragraph was all over the place. Let’s try it again:

“ I suspect what most anti Perry-ites are more incensed by is the thought of being associated with the antics on his shows; simply by virtue of our skin color.“

But there are also some of us who don’t subscribe to tepid and formulaic images that get the green light from television executives.

I just think that there is this self-burden we place on ourselves sometimes that tells us that there must be some form of uniformity anytime Black folks are portrayed. Like anyone else, we are very diverse with many forms of expression. From the brainless to the most intellectually engaging, we cover it all.

As I said before, the fact that black folks like entertainment like this doesn’t necessarily make it ‘good for them.’

But again, that is THEIR choice. Like it or not, we have to respect that choice. None of this I believe has any real reflection on Black folks in general. If it did, Obama would not have been elected by a majority White nation. I think that we are just over-consumed about what White folks think of us. I can’t tell you the amount of times I’ve heard or read from other Black folks panting over the “representation” of the sistahs on the show “Real Housewives of Atlanta”. I mean, my goodness! This is one show–period. Who said they were supposed to be the sum-all representatives of the Black race? Sheesh.

What gets greenlighted depends greatly on demand. I think that we here in cyberspace have been more vocal for the things we do not like versus the things we do like. The task before those of us who do not gorge ourselves with shows like “Flavor of Love”, etc. is not to solely lay the blame on a handful of White producers out there, but to figure out ways to increase support behind work that do show Blacks outside of traditional stereotypes. Until then, what we may deem as junk food will continue to make bank by our own people.

You may have done research, but the issue is deeper than your need to be right or your need to laugh in celebration of the likes of Tyler Perry.

Okay, it is evident; Duane that you simply like Tyler Perry and it blinds you from seeing the truth and that is sad.

Amos and Andy was just, as you say, “one show” Birth of a Nation was just one show. Scholars and political / social activists through out history have already done the work and research that has determined how negative images of a people affect how they see them selves and their level of productivity.

Your defense of Tyler Perry is just as bad as you defending those selling crack. “Because people like it” / “because it makes money” it’s okay.

Stop it, you are smarter than that.