Black women are pissed about Chris Rock's documentary Good Hair*. Black women are pissed about Tyler Perry's adaptation of 'Colored Girls.'
With the technology and format to create, share and distribute stories I'm confused as to why more black people aren't providing a visual platform for the voices they feel are silenced. All the issues such as health, violence, dating, single parenting and mental health in the black community get nothing more than cyber discussions in echo chambers.
I have nothing against talking about these issues but I wonder, especially when no one is ever happy with images anyone else puts out there (Rock, Perry, CNN), why we aren't creating and sharing the viewpoints we say are missing? The ones we deem necessary to balance out our images.
For me, one of the most powerful vehicles is the documentary. Everyone loves the visual. Put someone in front of a camera and have them talk.
Black Woman Walking
A Girl Like Me
I've seen countless calls for short film and documentary festivals and/or contests that don't require participants to be professionals. So when are people going to get serious about really having a problem with our monolithic image?
Why not set up your own Web site and upload your short documentaries. Hell, there is already a Web site ready and waiting for your videos. Its called YouTube and many clips get millions of views. Some people are even paid for their YouTube channels. Start your own indie production company.
I'm just wondering, for all those enlightened people who have the answers, who have that missing message, why are you keeping it a secret?
*Note: You know what black women? "Good Hair" and all these endless articles and attention about your hair is nothing more than chickens coming home to roost, because no one talks about black women's hair more than you. No one is more offensive about black women's hair than you. When you aren't criticizing someone for being natural you're telling someone she hates herself for using chemicals. So take all this BS and choke on it, maybe it will keep you from constantly talking on this highly
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8 comments:
I'd make a doc about Black lesbians being the most invisible segment of the Black community.
Great post Symphony. I really think a lot of people are going to start doing this.
Please take a moment to check out my documentary film BLACK HAIR
It is free at youtube. 6 parts including an update from London, England.
It explores the Korean Take-over of the Black Beauty Supply and Hair biz..
The current situation makes it hard to believe that Madame C.J. Walker once ran the whole thing.
I am not a hater, I am a motivator.
Plus I am a White guy who stumbled upon this, and felt it was so wrong I had to make a film about it.
self-funded film, made from the heart.
Can it be taken back?
Link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p96aaTSdrAE
Hey Symphony,
I'm working on a documentary called, The Skin Quilt Project( www.skinquiltproject.com), a film about colorism in the African American community and the positive influence of the African American quilting tradition to challenge these ideals. Check out my teaser/preview:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcwRmx0eyW0
Lauren Cross
@Monie. Thats a documentary I would definitely watch! And I agree, black lesbians are invisible. Gay men, even if its based on a negative like down low, are talked about in the black community.
@Aron I've heard about your documentary. Its surprising that so many blacks are in the hair industry and never voiced this concern. I'm not knocking you, just scratching my head over why we won't even tell our own stories.
@Lauren, nice preview. I look forward to viewing the entire documentary.
Yeah the net does provide a vehicle to get your message out.
I think there will always be a number of people who will complain about the images that appear on television and/or film.
Folks complained about the first CNN Black in America special, bemoaned the coming of part 2 and decided to watch it anyway.
I really can not see why folks are complaining about Chris Rock's Good Hair film.
Fortunately there will be more brave and bold creative visionairies that will create their own paths, share their visions and tell their stories like Nelson George, Chris Rock and Tyler Perry. However, there will be many more people that cry, bemoan, complain, criticize and analyze their efforts.
I think I would like to do one on the attitudes that Black females and males have on growing older. I am a Baby Boomer and I have no doubt that our attitudes are very different than our White counterparts on the subject of growing old.
Wow msladydeborah that is something I would definitely watch. I've never even thought about that. How are the attitudes different? I'm intrigued.
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