At this year's academt awards, there is not one African-American nominated for a major award. What can we as individuals do to create and promote opportunities for people of color in the film industry?
Name: Janett Jams Email: Jet.bser.Tej Response:
I agree with you Jokecoke. Whoopi Golberg
went a little more farther, when she was talking
about Jesse.J and Whitney. Also you know
what I think Whoopi can take her thick
braided self, and go get a deceent man and
a permed hairdo. Write back and let's talk
more about Miss.thinks she knows all that
chocolotey brady bunch.PEACE OUT!!!
Name: Nicolas Jokecoke Email: Response:
I feel that that the Oscars have always been
a disgrace to the original people
(AFRICANS) and BLACKS. Whoopi Goldberg does
have even one nerve to be talking about
important BLACK Leaders,something she is not!
Just in case you are not sure of what I am
talking about,on the Oscars,she rudely and
ignorantly talked about Jesse J. and Whitney H.
Name: G.P. Williams Email:gwillia1@tx.ncsu.edu Response:
Academy Award nominations have little to do with money. I think the points people have made so far about patronizing movies that are written or produced by black people are good. But speaking about Oscar nominations if you want to make sure there are more Black nominations you have got to make sure there are more Blacks in the Academy. Remember only Academy members nominate and vote on these awards. Personally, I think that Academy Award nominations are a poor measure of success in the film industry. While generally the Academy does reward quality, remember you are still talking about a clique and if you don't walk right or talk right the clique doesn't acknowledge you. If you are concerned about Blacks in film support it with your dollars and encourage black people to get in the film distribution business. The awards will come later.
Name: LaQuita Bryant Email:labryant@dubois.fisk.edu Response:
I fell that we as African Americans should use our economic power to send a message to the film industry that we will no longer tolerate the warped images they portray of us. We should not spend our BLACK DOLLARS on films with no BLACK actors/actresses. We should get out and support our brothers and sisters who have major roles in producing, writing, or starring in films. The only ones who can change the situation is us and its time we get up and do something!
Name: Paul Smith Email:smitpau@charlie.acc.iit.edu Response:
What we (African-Americans) need to do first is to individually accept responsibility for contributing to these organizations. We then need to begin to demand more from the organizations which we economically support. Each of us needs to do something each day, regardless of how insignificant it may seem. Rather it be not supporting movie theatres, or commercial distributors who are not positively contributing to the African-American community. It only takes a little from all of us.
Name: Email:ljf10@columbia.edu Response:
I don't really plan on watching the Academy Awards this year. I am not surprised. I think it is about time we stop supporting and imitating Hollywood. Hollywood takes our money and doesn't even give us a second thought. Our money is second class. I think that as African-Americans we should support the growing African film industry that is coming out of Africa. The African Film Festival in New York City is having its third year and I think should be supported.
Name: PMullings Email: Response:
We as African-Americans can make quality films, content and technical, and keep on protesting the absence of nominations at awards ceremonies.
Name: Kay Payne Email:ambersun@infinet.com Response:
We can make a conscious effort to support movies and films that project our lives in ways that are not stereotypical or degrading.
We can also write to the industry leaders in large numbers and demand change.
Until we are viewed in a more realistic light, the images up on the screen will not reflect the quality of our lives.
Name: Hasan Pride Email:pride@eden.rutgers.edu Response:
Who cares! There are a lot more important issues that we need to deal with in the Black Community. If anything, the award for BEST SUPPORTING ROLE should go to THE BLACK COMMUNITY for its part in "CONTINUING TO MAKE OTHERS RICH WHILE WE GROW POOR"
Name: Soleil Email: Response:
We as black folks need to put our money where our mouths are. It is surprising just how much of the money earned by the white film makers come from the pockets of blacks. Economically, we are a powerful group, and if we would unify and stop throwing our dollars into institutions which do not acknowledge or satisfy our needs/wants. As long as we continue to pay Hollywood to keep up their current practices, the longer they will ignore our voices.
Name: Randolph Bettis Email:iceman@neca.com Response:
Anything run by whites will always be twisted for blacks and black man should take up arms just like the J.D.L.(Jewish defence league) only then will America take notice.Look at it this way the brothers in the hood would finally get to vent their anger in the right direction, where it belongs. Hell,I'm forty five and I'm ready to party!
Name: Janese Thomas Email: Don't have one Response:
I agree with you we are giving up our
money for some movie,when we can see it out
on tape. Also I do feel that from time to
time, just for a treat we can go to the movies
sometimes. People seem to think that by
going to the movies saves you money.I don't
think so. We'll that descusion has taught
me a lot BYE!!!
Name: Email:MendelBrat@aol.com Response:
As with any disenfranchised group, visibility is _everything_. We have to patronize movies that support our communities, that show our people, be they Black, Asian, Gay, Native American, in positive or (at the very least) honest ways. Money talks more than anything else in Hollywood. If we all go see a movie _at_ the movies rather than waiting 'till it comes out on video, we'll all be contributing mightily to movies just like it being made in the future.
