Week
of
12/29/97		 With the growth of multi-cultural sensitivity in our society in recent years; how do you respond to new movie releases that have white-only casts and subject matter?



Name: Nex
Email: Nexus_Vision@hotmail.com
Response: Look at NBC's line up...they went from a black line up to an all white cast... no more cosby, different world, all friends, sienfeld and wings....


Name:
Email: taxodium@worldnet.att.net
Response: I do not watch movies with an all-white cast. I believe African-Americans must speak with their pocketbook. I will not fill the coffers of media moguls who ignore me - the consumer.


Name: Ralegas
Email: ralegas@juno.com
Response: This is a very thought provoking question with no easy or palettable answers for those of us acustomed to blaming everything that is wrong on other folk. Firstly, Black folk have enough cumulative wealth and income to buy anyone of the major studios and implement policies that would not allow for the exclusion of Black actors and actresses. That Black folk prefer to patronize rather than own results in all of us being left on the outside looking in. While it is obvious that hollywood is reactive rather than proactive and it is driven by the profit motive, it is not difficult to understand that if there is money in it they will tailor the casts to refelct the makeup of the viewing public to enhance the profit of its stockholders.Black folk can stand on the sidelines, rant and rave about the inequities, sing and chant for redress or select a more affirmative posture by investing in these compnayies, submitting shareholder proposals and if need be dragging movie moguls and their designees into to court to compell them to conform to shareholder directives. Now I am of the opinion that this is merely whistful thinking in that many of us prefer the protest and pointing of fingers rather than rolling up our sleeves, pitching in (WITH CASH) and just get busy working on making thins change for the betterment of us all. I am pleased to see that the first steps to correcting this problem have been taken by the mere submission of the questions regarding this problem unto those of us blessed to have the wherewithall to be conerned about these inequities. Now what steps shall we take next? Only if we move beyond discussion and implement positive action will a change for the better come about.Just imagine the possibilites: thirty five million black folk contribute only one dollar per person per month to the "race bank" or whatever one wants to call such a investment vehicle would yield well over four hundred million dollars per year to invest in any company Balck folks choose to buy. Think about the economic cloout Balck folk could easily have and the leverage that kind of money gives anyone who chooses to use it wisely. It can happen and it is possible for Balck folk to us ethier money to change hollywood but only if we do more than attend the movies.


Name: Eugenia Lincoln
Email: Lincoln_Eugenia @McCann.com
Response: It's a real shame this kind of mentality still exists, but unfortunately it does, and it's a problem that needs to be addressed. In order to show them we're not going to just take this; we need to hit them where it hurts most...the wallet. We need to stop supporting movies that fail to recognize Afro-Americans as respectable actors and actresses. If we continue to support this behavior we will be doing nothing to rectify the situation and everything to perpetuate it. Let's stop putting lip service to this, and start taking serious action to CHANGE it!. PEACE.


Name: Serious in Chicago
Email:
Response: I feel outraged; and to put it simply -- no blacks, no money! I will not spend one cent to see any of them. TO Don'tCareIII - watch for New York Undercover this Thursday. They're baaaaack! Just to let you know, I wrote FOX also. Anyone else interested in writing, send your letters to: Mr. Peter Roth, FOX Entertainment Group, 10201 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90035. I hope this helps!


Name:
Email: DRAGONFACE@webtv.net
Response: How do I respond to new movie releases that have white-only casts and subject matter? WHITE-ONLY Why am I not surprised? This sounds like the "JIM-CROW" ERA. Did we ever leave that Era; or did it just go into hiding? You know, it must have acted like all COWARDS, it went into HIDING!!! This is the same tired, nauseating Bull Droppings that's made us all sick since the beginning of time. BLA, BLA, BLA, BLA!!! I'm sure I need not say anymore.....


Name: Garris
Email: gmann@cwo.com
Response: I would just like to add to JL's and my earlier comment... IF WE stop auditioning for these parts and IF WE stop supporting these shows...then THEY will get the message. They being the white and black producers. IF WE stop portraying it on the STREETS, there would be no material to write shows like these. I think Chris Rock said it best in one of his comedy shows....Blacks hate niggers too. (NO MATTER What the color) If we don't "Pull the cards of those acting out... Then WE are just as guilty." I welcome comments.... OUT


Name: Concerned
Email: fultonc@erols.com
Response: It has always amazed me at how the true intellectuals, usually Americans, can be suckered into some swill-filled cause by the intellectual alchemists of this world, writhing in self-promotion and not wanting to cloud their issues with the facts. OJ was guilty, Twana Brawley was never raped, sanctions would have never worked against Iraq, if you are traveling 100mph and the police pull you over after a 20 minute chase, then the police tell you to get on the ground, get on the ground, you probably wonít get hit in the head with a stick, duh-fn-a!, 25 wrongs donít make a right, not even a little right, and Ebonics is a profoundly stupid idea. If you can cheat and win, practice your dumb grin, you will surly need it. Next issue please!


Name: Wayne
Email:
Response: In to-days world the White American, have the money and the power and they can make movies as thay please. Untel Black American, get together and start making movies on our race and make them true and not a lot garges we will be okay.


Name:
Email: INI360
Response: Now when it comes to those movies that have only a white cast I don't give it any thought I don't go. the only ones I will go see are the gangster movies because we get to see some white on white crime for once. If you look at the news it's mainly about some under previledged minority who commited a crime for what ever reason. Now if hollywood can't find a minority to co-star or star in the movie I have no interest in seeing it. and if think about television you have the same problem . If you look at the NBC network and their line up you see alot of caucasion only shows. and for the person who said what is a white subject matter you should take a glimpse of 90210, that is as white as you can get...


Name: jamie
Email: jwynacht@stpt.usf.edu
Response: You are begging the question, which serves only to perpetuate the tension and misunderstandings between all cultures. If, as you contend, we are a multi-culturally "sensative" society, then movies focusing solely on the white experience would serve to enhance that sensativity by educating other strata or culture about whites. Blacks and other races produce such movies as well. Is it wrong? In my opinion it is not wrong. It is, however, wrong to attack other races by portraying them in a strictly stereotypical manner, which is done often in contemporary movies. We should all try to "get along" and focus on the HUMAN RACE.


Name: Don'tCareIII
Email: bradfo43@ccvax.mmc.edu
Response: In my second message, I called Randall from "B-More" Solomon Landers by mistake. I usually get those two mixed up when reading the responses, but I see that Solomon has not posted a response to this particular question. Please excuse the error. To Kamera, please do not generalize that all Black people do is just talk, and do not take action, in terms of selectively patronizing businesses and enterprises, and going on letter-writing campaigns. I know many Africentric people, including myself, who WALK THEIR TALK everyday, although that walk may not be easy, and is a longer path to take. I once wrote 80 letters and went door-to-door to every Black home in my hometown in JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL just so my Community could get BET on cable. I JUST wrote Fox network to complain about Living Single's imminent demise, and New York Undercover's past-tense removal from television. I received a VERY nasty e-mail back from them, saying that I did not know what I was talking about, and that I "obviously" donot watch television like I claim to, or otherwise I would realize that the Thrs. line-up is as it's alway's been. We DID finally get BET, but Kyle was not returned to Living Single like I requested, and New York Undercover has not been returned.


Name: Janeen M. Harrison
Email: jharrison@kghc.org
Response: I realize the strong value of my dollar and its powerful influence. Therefore, I am only going to support movies that pertain to my interests and/or my culture. It really does come down to economics. If a person doesn't feel they are not being represented correctly, take away what they are most dependent on to stay alive: In regards to the popularity of movies, that is the money of it's audience. Besides, what is a white subject anyway?


Name: Tony D
Email: tdtony@mindspring.com
Response: Perspective is everything. Our daily news is run by white folks. Could this be why we see more blacks committing crimes on tv eventhough whites commit more crimes? Does this image they project enforce negative stereotypes? I think they do. I think it is the same in the movie industry. We have always had to deal with "his-story". His-story has been one of near innocent purity in American History classes.


Name: hajlous011
Email: tekted3@netscapemail.com
Response: White people have something to say has well has everyone else I have no problem with it. Our history is vast and part of us are in them as well. We can learn from their mistakes has well.


Name: Don'tCareII
Email: bradfo43@ccvax.mmc.edu
Response: To Solomon: Yes, LET US "go there", and talk about what "white" really is if Blackfolk can range from being lighter than whitefolk, and darker than the midnight sky. I'll say it, I am unafraid, and have been asking The Afro to post a question on this topic for MONTHS, right Ms. Anderson? Whiteness is a variation of Black. Science says so. Black is the foundation or form from which ALL color arises. White is the absorption of all color. That is simple Inorganic Chemistry part one. But look at how this has historically played out in the History of Man/Wo-Man: From the African Cradle of Civilization, all of mankind emanated. Including the whiteman. But, just like in Chemistry, with a white prism that makes a rainbow when white light is shown through it, it was the WHITEMAN that "absorbed" as much of the knowledge, wealth, and land of non-white populations, largely BLACK, to create for himself the existence that he enjoys today. So I'll call "a spade a spade" here(pun intended):whiteness is merely avariationofUS


Name: Sharron Gregory
Email: Shargorycroft@worldnet.att.net
Response: I usually don't watch.


Name: J.L.
Email: rvnscrst@aol.com
Response: Yes, I'd like to see recurring African-American characters on entertaining, yet all-white-casted shows like "Frasier," "Home Improvement" or "Seinfeld." But no, I DO NOT find all-black-casted shows like "The Wayans Bros.," "Sparks," or "Between Brothers" entertaining at all. What I'd like to see is African-Americans in productions that effect me positively (i.e., educational, humorous, uplifting or thought-provoking). In regards to the presentation of African-American images in the media, the focus should be in orchestrating a well-produced, well-acted, well-written product (see "The Cosby Show," "A Different World," or the movies "Love Jones," "Soul Food" or "Eve's Bayou" to support my position) than just assembling a myriad of African-American entertainers on a TV show or movie just to say 'it's a black program.' True, we are a diverse people and we need to show a variety of representation in the media. If it has to come to a point where silly fare like the movie "Sprung" or the now-defunct TV series "Homeboys in Outer Space" continually get produced, it just might be better than we don't have any black images on TV or movies at all.


Name: Randall
Email: B1More1@aol.com
Response: As long as their has been picture shows there have been "white Only Cast". My response has always been. I would like to see Black perspective movies. America's: African Slave Trade has greatly influenced this phenomenon. The "white only cast" is the only way the white separatise can articulate their want, choice and actions while separated from "Black People". (Black People - the group of people whose color range from as light as white to dark as night. If Black people are as light as White what is White? Another topic). The African Slave Trade in America has also greatly enfluenced the suppression of African thought or perspective, thus there is an opportunity to hear something "fresh" as the youth would say. We should explore through movie all of the African perspective, humor, drama, fact and fiction. Personnally, I would like to see an all white cast, do the Baltimore City Civil War story. I know ... you were never told, taught or heard about how the Federal Marshalls during thier March from Phillidelphia through Baltimore to Washington D.C. was met by the Baltimore's Mayor of the time and Police Force. The mayor and police sided with the South and caused the first incidence of Blood Shed (White on White Crime) during the Civil War. The Feds locked up the Mayor and Policement and literally decalred Marshall law on Baltimore. Now this would be a good all white cast movie. It would be a very patriotic movie about America's History and it sound so dramatic. The people who control the industry controls who works. Television White-Only: Bonaza,GunSmoke, Maxwell Smart, McHales Navy, Gilligan Island, The Adams Family, My Three Sons, the original All in the Family, Laverne and Shirley, Dick Van Dike, Mary Tyler Moore, The Three Stoogies, Happy Days, The Waltons, Soap Operas, the Bundies. Television White Mostly: Welcome Back Carter, 21 Jump Street, Miami Vice, Mod Squad, Mission Impossible, New All in the Family, In the Heat of the Night, Eye Spy, The "A" Team Some of the above listed television I liked some I did not. The point, even white only cast could be entertaining or educational. All in the Family was surely sending a message. If you want to see the old Black movies pay perview. The television/movie market is ripe for anyone to produce a program. Technology has changed what you need to produce a show, story, film or video. Todays technology is prime for all white cast, all black cast, all albino cast, all african cast etc, etc. Opera is not made for or supported by everyone. The white only cast in movies will be enjoyed by some, boycotted by others. SO will the blacks only, albino only, african only!! Television and Movies are Economic Goal Mines for Black People. It is time for Black People to own some of the 188 cable channels. I wonder if Spike Lee would produce and all white cast, maybe 100,000 black people could put up 100$ each to rasie 10 Million dollars for the project? I know we could do it when 3 Million Show up in Philladelphia and 2 Million showed up in DC! DO you know what powerful word of Mouth marketing that 100,000 investors could influence? If mankind began in Africa what's a White person, I mean White-Cast?


Name: Kamera
Email:
Response: Talk, talk, talk. We need to put our money where our mouths are. We talk, talk, talk. But do we ever write a letter, send an e-mail, in mass to support our positions on anything. We are concerned about the preponderance of movies and television shows with white-only casts. The best thing we can do is not spend our money to see them. Write a letter letting them know that they are not getting our money. Sisters if you spend a penny buying something out of a Vanity Fair catalog when they won't feature black models on the cover, you are crazy. All you sisters spending money on Cosmopolitan magazine when from what I understand some issue with Mariah Carey is the first time they are putting a "black" person on the cover (I don't think she considers herself black) other that a while back when the one issue was only distributed in Africa. Spending your money and you aren't even represented. It is an unwritten rule not to show black people on television wearing bathing suits. Occasionally, very, very occasionally you might see a real light skinned black person with a bathing suit on, and you can believe they have a body like a white person. You won't see a sistah with a monster body and a big ol booty in a bathing suit on network television. And what's with Oprah, I try to support her but I am sick of her on TV talking about how she hates her big behind, and telling the world that Suzanne Sommers has the best behind in the world. She tried to take Janet Jackson there but Janet didn't go. Alright Janet!


Name: Why not peace?
Email:
Response: We can do black movies with all black casts. We need to do a better job of supporting our film makers when they do create these movies. Rosewood did not have that large an audience, neither did Malcolm X for that matter. We proved that we can turn out when we want to with Waiting to Exhale. I don't understand anyway. We need to stop turning every little thing into a racial issue. When we have real problems we need to fight and we need to fight hard. But we should be focusing on economic issues. Spending our money where it will help our people the most. Plus My religion teaches me not to hate. Why can't we work toward the problems that exist in our society together? All the peace loving people of the world, no matter what race, no matter what religion, working together to solve problems for the greater good. There has to be peace loving people in every race and religion. People who want to do what's right, people who want our children to live in a better world. Sometimes when I read these topics I read people who are filled with such hate against white people. Then when I am searching the web I land on pages where white people are filled with hate for black people. Well in my search for articles on Armistad I landed on this white supremist web page. So I tell you what, here is that url http://www.stormfront.org/defaultf.htm, everybody who hates white people can go to that site and e-mail them, and the two groups can send hate filled e-mails back and forth to each other, and the rest of us can work toward a better world for everybody. Let's pray for peace on earth!


Name: Olivier
Email: olivier.couturier@skynet.be
Response: I, has a white european, think your discussion is without any sense, don't we see any black movie ? Spike Lee is a good example of this ! I am really shocked by the way white and black american cannot find a way to live together ! Here, in Europe, there's no problem We have African, Arabs, Asiatic people and we manage to live the best we can Of course, there are racism everywhere, but we won't find a solution by trying to find in any movement of the other, a way to offend us That's not life, that's a struggle !


Name: Garris
Email: gmann@cwo.com
Response: The question should be, "Why can't we as blacks, african-americans or whatevever we're calling ourselves this year get our sh!T straight on what we're going to support." It seems to me whatever a producer (white or black) creates, we have an issue with it. Why is that? For some it's not black enough -for others, too black. Soul Food was entertaining...what a movie is supposed to be. Yet, I heard " Why did they have to go there" thru most of the movie. When the Cosby show was on, I heard " That's not reality." Why isn't it? Boyz in the Hood, another example.. There are MANY families that live and do what is on the screen both good and bad. These aren't stereotypes-- It's REALITY .. and as long as we see everyday people doing these things..how can we complain? In closing I'd like to say this..If you don't like what you see on the screen...STOP ACTING IT on the STREETS or help prevent in the first place. If you like the positive things, STRIVE to become it. out


Name: mike
Email: medwards1@attmail.com
Response: I don't think the society is becoming all that multi-cultural, that's the first thing. Second, movies are basically for entertainment. Most people I know do not follow the subject matter as much as they follow the actors. you will not know the full extent of the cast until you're actually in the movie. That's why I say people seem to follow the actors.


Name: LadyBlkFox
Email: LadyBlkFox@myownemail.com
Response: Until we have more black producers, screenwriters, black businesses to support our black arts we will always have the lilly white movies


Name:
Email:
Response: I guess the same way you would expect me to react to a movie like SOUL FOOD. There are more "black shows" on t.v. now than ever before, and I would venture to say that they promote the stereotypes that blacks are trying to rid the white population of. Some of these shows are outrageous and if I were black, I'd be embarassed with some of the subject matter. I don't know where a lot of you live, but here in D.C, channel 20 or the "WB" network show nothing but these pathetic shows. In closing, WHO IS "THEY"????????????????


Name: Frances Murphy
Email: FrankieLou@aol.com
Response: In today's world,"white only" anything appears sub-standard, not real. We all like a little color in our lives that' s why so many white folks rush to get a suntan. At least one white actor in a black film or one black actor in a white film usually makes that art work stand out. I believe the cash register will eventually solve this problem.People pay to see what they like. Check out the European market. It makes sense.


Name: pupcat
Email: pupcat @aol.com
Response: really, not just movies, but look at your prime time nextwork shows. MY response is simple, stop supporting the advertisments and stop supporting the movies and of course send letter, e-mails and faxs to the heads of studios and network televison. thanks


Name:
Email: kfb1103.aol.com
Response: Why should it matter. There are movies made with a black only theme also. A company will make products that will receive the largest response. There are more white people in the US, so of course there are going to be more movies to appeal to that class.


Name: Paula LeGrand
Email: Pleg101892
Response: In my opinion, we should continue to make our own black movies with black actresses and actors. All of our movies don't have to depict violence, drugs, gangs, welfare recipients, pimps and protstitues. There are plenty of talented actors/actresses out there that need more recognition from the black community.


Name: KCopeland
Email: kyc56@hotmail.com
Response: I live in Europe, so maybe the releases are a little behind the U.S.. However, what about Eve's Bayou, Soul Food,Amistad and Kiss the Girls? What is the point? I would rather see quality work instead of films that perpetuate violence, sexual degradation, or mindless action scenes. I believe it takes time and money to produce something worthwhile. Think about the question and what purpose it should serve.


Name:
Email: MEOW69@webtv.net
Response: New movie releases that have WHITE-ONLY casts and subject matter? My response is to realize that they want Whites Only in those movies. they want to be left alone. They want to _BASK_ [to lie in pleasant warmth.] in their own WHITENESS. I understand that! I, too, sometimes feel that I don't want to be bothered. I get those Grouchy Get Out of My Way, Leave Me Alone, I Hate the Sight of You--ATTITUDES. Some people _ATTITUDINIZE_ all the time [this is not good, bad for relationships]. When people Attitudinize constantly they become _Tyrannical_ They Domiinate, Castrate, Terrorize, Oppress, and Finally---------------They ENSLAVE....


Name: Don'tCare
Email: bradfo43@ccvax.mmc.edu
Response: If the story still seems interesting, I will still go see it. Seemingly stupid movies by Black or Whitefolk, I won't even watch on cable, namely, "Booty CAll", "BAPS", Ernest Goes CAmping, and "Mousehunt".


Name: MARCELLA
Email: varnado@webtv.net
Response: Well, since the movie is gear to Euroamerican audience, in a multicultural sensitve society, it depends on the movie(non-fiction,etc) for me even to be interested in. But if the movie is gearing toward a segrational movie not permitting other types of americans in the cast, well that is called discrimination.