I've made no secrets about my dislike for "some" of Tyler Perry's work. I think some of it borders on ageless stereotypes that should have been buried years ago. But having said that,Tyler Perry's story is one that continues to inspire me in my journey to accomplish the things I'm trying to accomplish.I also think he is one of our greatest assets and would never disrespect him on a personal level.Unfortunately,I can't say the same thing for Aaron McGruder,the writer of The Boondocks. McGruder went in hard on Mr.Perry on last week's episode. At least that's what I've read. You see,I would NEVER in a million years watch a show that disrespects the legacy of Dr.King by raising him from the dead to declare that black people today are just a "bunch of niggas",and that's not even the beginning of some of his disrespectful antics. But hey,if it gets you laughs and ratings,why stop,right?
Well this latest thing may be the straw that breaks the camel's back. Not because it was totally disrespectful,but because the comments were made about Tyler Perry.And when you make comments about someone as powerful as Mr.Perry,you may want to make sure your accountant has your money straight because those checks may stop coming pretty soon.Comments made on the show suggested Mr.Perry was a down low homosexual who uses his Christian faith to mask his sexuality and that's just the beginning.
Whether any of that is true or not is not the issue for me. The issue for me is this. Seeing that there are a limited amount of brothas in a position to make power moves on the big and small screen,why not try to resolve this like men? If you have a disagreement,why not pick up the phone and say," Man,we need to talk"? Why not do that as oppose to putting your animosity in a character and airing it on national television? Then try to mask it as if you're not really talking about Tyler Perry,even though everyone knows you are. Then play it off as "it's just comedic satire". To me,a man that has to vent or disguise his opinion or frustration THAT way is the real "punk"(didn't want to use the derogatory term that originally popped in my head).
I've said it before and I'll say it again,WE ARE OUR OWN WORST ENEMY!!!!! If we would spend half the time looking in the mirror as we do blaming the media or society for our shortcomings,we could do some serious good for our community. But as long as we,meaning the consumer,contiune to support shows like The Boondocks,we will continue to encourage this kind of cowardly coonery!!
And we wonder why our children are at odds with one another. Because they see stupidity like this played out in the media all the time. Indeed, we are our own worst enemy. I've never watched The Boondocks so I had no idea about the MLK, Jr. parody. The creator of the show is a sick individual to put his own people out like that. But as you said, he's making money off that non-sense. Who is his target audience? I'm sure African Americans. Ugh!
ReplyDeleteIt's called free speech. And if anyone watches Boondocks with an insightful mind, instead of an assumptive air and ruffled feathers, you might get the point of his burning satire. Yes, McGruder does go in hard on his subjects, and does not spare his social and political critique just because some of us are more sensitive than others. It is indeed risque and down-right scandalizing at moments, but people would not be mad or offended if some of it were not TRUE.
ReplyDeleteAs for the Martin Luther King Jr episode, you should watch it before you knock it. McGruder was making quite a provocative statement by resurrecting King as a cartoon, to show the progress of Black people in consciousness. Sadly, there was more truth to this offering than any of us would like to admit.
Be Peace.
@ Legacy Leonard- My feathers aren't ruffled nor am I sensitive by any means. Regardless if it's true or not isn't the point. The point is,if the morons at FOX News did this,people-BLACK PEOPLE would be marching and protesting 24/7. But we will co-sign on this show using a cartoon image of Dr. King calling his people a "bunch of niggas". Why,because McGruder has a different way of exercising his social and political critiques? I refuse to say "there's more truth to this offering than any of us would like to admit" because I refuse to stereotype all black people as "a bunch of niggas". There's enough people who don't look like me already doing that.
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I wish we wouldn't attack each other but instead use our resources which both have to build and encourage our young people to go into these fields such as animation, continue to learn how to own our studios/projects/what have you and just build our own communities. We have got to stop wasting time with nonsense.
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