Tyler Perry Accuses Black Critics of "Reverse Racism" + Lee Daniels Dismisses #OscarsSoWhite

[satam55]

https://twitter.com/shadowandact/status/815286233324785665

Tyler Perry Accuses Black Critics of "Reverse Racism" and Lee Daniels Dismisses #OscarsSoWhite Advocates as "Reprehensible"

In the same week that a Denzel Washington interview with BET, during which colorism in casting in the film and TV biz was discussed, led to much confusion and debate about what the veteran actor’s words on the issue meant, as he found himself on the receiving end of criticism (whether legitimate or unfounded)… Tyler Perry and Lee Daniels are also in penalty boxes for somewhat related comments made during interviews they gave – Perry to the AP (Associated Press) and Daniels to the New York Times.

First Perry, who launched his first scripted TV series with an all-white starring cast (his name is already on 4 different series on Oprah Winfrey’s OWN network, each with all-black, or mostly black starring casts), has had to react to a lot criticism (mostly from black audiences) of his TLC series titled “Too Close to Home.”

His words to the AP yesterday: “That’s totally reverse racism, because it was coming from African American people… I don’t know if it was because they thought I should only be giving jobs to black people. Well, I think that’s ridiculous. If you look at the hundreds of black people I’ve given jobs to and even the ones I’ve made millionaires, people of color, I just think it’s unfair. I’m just finding out more as I travel the country and world, the more I meet people, we’re all the same… We all got the same dramas. So I’m not seeing color as much as I did anymore in the sense of our stories. Our stories are so similar.”

Maybe Mr. Perry needs an education on this so-called “reverse racism” phenomenon as some have labeled it, and the systemic relationship of power, before he uses it to support an argument.

That said, he is correct that he most certainly can give jobs to whomever he wants to; and since his entry in the early 2000s, he has definitely hired more black people (film and TV) than maybe any other black content creator of his specific industry stature, as a member of the so-called black Hollywood elite. Spike Lee might be the only one who trumps Perry, when you consider how long he’s been in the business, and the 2-dozen or so films he’s directed, as well as those he’s produced for others – many of them grads of NYU where Spike lectures. Although I don’t know if I’d necessarily consider Spike Lee a member of the black Hollywood elite. And today you have people like Ava DuVernay embracing and actually putting into practice the notion of inclusivity. But one thing critics of Perry and his work cannot say is that he hasn’t supported black talent, in front of and behind the camera, for many years.

However, when he makes charges of “reverse-discrimination” by African Americans, and claims that he’s not “seeing color as much,” he presents a defensive stance that also demonstrates a lack of awareness and privilege.

As for Lee Daniels, in a profile published on the New York Times’ website on December 28, as his new Fox series “Star” premieres (which has a white female lead – “I wanted to show a white girl that had some swag” as “part of the healing process… I wanted white people to feel cool. I wanted them to not be made fun of. We are one”), the writer/director/producer was “sent into a fit of frustration” says the article, when the #OscarsSoWhite protests was brought up by the interviewer. His apparently fuming response to the controversy was: “Go out and do the work… Oscars so white! So what? Do your work. Let your legacy speak and stop complaining, man. Are we really in this for the awards? If I had thought that way — that the world was against me — I wouldn’t be here now… These whiny people that think we’re owed something are incomprehensible and reprehensible to me. I don’t expect acknowledgment or acceptance from white America. I’m going to be me.”

Daniels’ words obviously drew much criticism across social media, but he’s certainly no stranger to controversy, so I doubt that he’s losing much sleep over any of it, especially when you already have one hit show (“Empire”), and a potential second hit show in “Star” premiering.

But Daniels isn’t the first to share these views on #OscarSoWhite; recall Anthony Mackie’s “We’re [black people] being lazy on our game” comment 5 years ago that caused quite a stir, as he further explained that, in essence, black creatives and executives at all levels needed to step up, come together and do something about the near-dismal state of things at the time; and Morgan Freeman couldn’t be bothered at all in the same year when he said “I think we need to get over that shyt” after he was asked about the lack of diversity (specifically black talents) during awards season during a BET interview. “How many Chinese do you see?” he asked the interviewer; “You don’t see them out marching and shyt. Oh God please. I think … We need to get over it, that’s all.” Needless to say, those comments didn’t sit well with many. As I recall, it was the subject of one of the most popular posts on S&A in 2011, drawing 100s of comments.

But Freeman did seem to soften his tone a bit this year, when asked in February by Variety about #OscarsSoWhite. His more measured response was: “I can understand why the noise came up. But to me, it’s just noise. If we’re going to talk about diversity in the film industry, we don’t need to start with the Academy Awards. We need to start somewhere way back — with the producers, the directors, the casting agents, the writers. It should be an open field. I think in today’s world, if you look out there, that’s what would reflect today’s America.”

There have been a few others who’ve publicly echoed Lee Daniels’ thoughts, although they haven’t been as pugnacious about it, essentially, as he does, labeling #OscarsSoWhite advocates as “whiny,” “incomprehensible” and “reprehensible” people. Mighty venomous and quite unnecessary words there sir, for a significant movement (one that went mainstream and actually led to real change) that just wants a very influential industry and its product to reflect the people who effectively support it. Or maybe he doesn’t know what those words mean, or just isn’t aware of how powerful his words might be. “Reprehensible”? Obviously he’s not interested in engaging with the movement in any way.

Thoughts on any or all of the above?

In closing, I’ll leave you with a video clip (the late Sam Greenlee’s advise to black filmmakers) we’ve shared many times on this blog over the years:

 

[Jello Biafra]

Oprah used to think like that too till Hermes locked their doors on her ass because all they saw was a chunky black chick trying to come into their fancy store at night.
All it will take is for some racist cop to pull one of them over and treat them like most black men driving nice cars get treated before they snap out of their delusions.

 

[Norrin Radd]

People still out here using the term " reverse racism"

 

[Fillerguy]

Finally

Been holding my tongue about Perry cuz of what he does for the community but he done slipped up
is out in the open for all to see


fukk this down low zesty ass c00n. fukk your minstrel shows. fukk your minstrel plays. fukk everybody that loves you. nikka this was your plan the entire time. First, make media that reinforces white stereotypes of Blacks. Second, be non confrontational with white America. Lastly, become hollyweirds top house nikka director.


This is only the beginning. He going to drop Black people all together soon.

 

[Ziggiy]

Tyler and Daniels need to get married and start a c00npire...

 

[Roman Brady]

People still out here using the term " reverse racism"

Almost as antiquated as "how can I be racist I nominated the first black president" using the one drop rule that was birthed by racists

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Tyler and Daniels need to get married and start a c00npire...

They probably used to date

 

[Dark is the night]

Its always the dikksuckers

"The healing process"

"Make white people look cool"

As opposed to what 99% of mainstream already does?

 

[nieman]

I'm mad at the people that rode with TP since the beginning. Nis ish was straight minstrel, and I never use that term.

 

[winb83]

People still out here using the term " reverse racism"

I was under the impression that "reverse racism" is racism in response to racism. If he's making a white show and there's a negative response to that then that's not reverse racism. If he wants to call it anything he should just call it racism.

 

[winb83]

Finally

Been holding my tongue about Perry cuz of what he does for the community but he done slipped up
is out in the open for all to see


fukk this down low zesty ass c00n. fukk your minstrel shows. fukk your minstrel plays. fukk everybody that loves you. nikka this was your plan the entire time. First, make media that reinforces white stereotypes of Blacks. Second, be non confrontational with white America. Lastly, become hollyweirds top house nikka director.


This is only the beginning. He going to drop Black people all together soon.

He slipped up by being inarticulate and using a term that doesn't actually apply? Or did he slip up because he's a black producer and director that made a white show? There's an audience that likes his work whether or not it appeals to you. I've watched 2 of his movies so I can't comment on the quality but typically they do numbers. I don't know it just seems like when a brother makes it to the top others look for a reason to shyt on them. It's like people have their c00n insults at the ready for anybody that makes it to Tyler Perry's level.

 

[JRGOAT88]

Perry, Daniels, Rhimes, and Oprah all sellouts. Their wack ass shows and movies are just as harmful as whites in promoting stereotypes.

 

[Jello Biafra]

Perry also handled people's questioning about his new show being all white entirely wrong.
Dude got his foot in the Hollywood door by doing "black" movies so it is only natural for people to look at him sideways when he creates a new show and instead of making it diverse he made it 99% white except for the one black chick.
To people on the outside looking in it comes across as him feeling he has made it and now doesn't need to make shows for black people anymore and instead he is going to go all the way left and start making shows that are just like the majority of what Hollywood puts out because he has always wanted to make shows about white people starring nothing but white people.

 

[Makavalli]

He tried to be all black independent but just like oprah they got that nikka wake up call because hollyweird is run by a group of billionaires. She thought that OWN shyt was going to put her next to the elites along with perry making his fruity studio in Atlanta and remember that shyt had a mysterious fire? Them cacs are evil and tamed his ass so he bending all the way over.

Make us look extra goofy and c00ny on tv and expect nikkas to say thank u. That madea halloween shyt was down right awful. Pulled a track1 with my wife and got my money back 10 mins in

 

[THEREALBRAND]

Most of y'all have probably never seen a Tyler Perry movie.

Outside of his Madea films, which usually are more light-hearted, he makes movies about serious issues. He just throws in comedic elements to make it more digestible. I've never once watched a Tyler Perry film and felt like it was c00nery. If you think his stuff isn't good that's fine, but it's lazy and inaccurate to say that he's producing minstrel show type pictures.