I have a confession: In recently watching “The Help” honored at both the Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild Awards, I was tempted to carry around a rabbit's foot, a box of lucky charms, and a pocket full of pennies in hopes that lightening will NOT strike a third time at Sunday's Academy Awards. Needless to say, I was not a fan of the movie. Now, before you chastise me for wishing something so sinister on such hard-working actors who simply want nothing more than to be celebrated by their peers, let me explain.
In 1939, Hattie McDaniel received an Oscar for best supporting actress for playing a maid. Fast forward 73 years (yes, you read that correctly), and two of Hollywood's best African-American actresses today (Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer) are being nominated for playing what? You guessed it. Maids. No matter how one spins it (or peppers their acceptance speech with accolades to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to justify the necessity of such a movie and role (uh, yeah, Octavia)), there's no getting around the fact that when it comes to blacks being celebrated in and by Hollywood, it is mostly for roles that reflect them in a subservient or less favorable light, e.g., welfare mothers (Halle Berry's "Monster's Ball" and Monique's "Precious"), bad guys (Denzel Washington's "Training Day"), overly-animated caricatures (Cuba Gooding Jr.'s "Jerry Maguire" and Whoopi Goldberg's "Ghost"), and servants (Morgan Freeman's "Driving Miss Daisy"), and the list goes on and on. Sure, there are a few African-American's who have been properly celebrated for powerful, uplifting roles, but the bottom line is this: there is simply not a enough of those roles given or celebrated to create enough of a balance to where seeing us play the maids, thugs, and pimps, is not still difficult to swallow.
If there were more diversity in Hollywood in the roles we were offered and, thus, celebrated for, this blog post--and the many articles speaking on this same topic--would be unnecessary. If there was a presidential role for every pimp role; a captain's role for every convict role; and a microbiologist role for every maid role, I'd be the first to celebrate...but there aren't. And until there is, it's up to black actors to be more selective in how we're represented and celebrated. Just as it’s also the responsibility of our legends to not take steps backward that hurt those chances as well (i.e., our most respected Cicely Tyson also playing a maid in this movie). The argument that regardless of the roles taken, winning awards helps to open doors for us couldn't be further from the truth if they're continuously opening the SAME doors. Yes, it's tough in Hollywood and even tougher if you're a black actor. And, yes, folks need to work. But to quote a line from one of my favorite movies, "There's work at the post office."
As Octavia Spencer took the stage to accept her SAG award for best supporting actress in "The Help," her tears as well as those of her peers said a lot: this happens far too infrequently, and so we should celebrate. In 2012, that's unacceptable. Do these women deserve to be celebrated? Absolutely. Do they need to be celebrated for this? Absolutely not. Seventy-three years and here we are. That "open" door is more like a "revolving" one.
Hopefully it will change. I think it is more of a telling sign that with all the advancement in other area we do not have one in the film/T.V. Industry.
ReplyDeleteI think there needs to be more than one outlet. Namely Tyler Perry. If there were more options there would be more diverse roles. Black actors and actresses get the shaft ( no pun intended) because we choose to not use our resources and create our own distribution houses. That in turn allows to have the roles black actors get acknowledgement for.
I hope that will change one day.
I agree. As Taraji Henson stated, we have to be just as aggressive going after the "behind the camera" roles as we do the ones on screen. Change starts from the top down, in this case, so we definitely need more African-American decision makers, directors, producers, and studios before we start to see a real and lasting change. Even so, the opportunities may increase BUT the recognition may still not be received as those who sit at the top of the "awarding" process are not--and most likely will never be--us. However, that need not be our concern; promoting positive, lasting images should be.
DeleteI have mixed feelings on this issue. On the one hand I really wish we were recognized for more roles than stereotypical ones. However, I think The Help was a good story to be told as it is a part of our history. My grandmother used to be The Help, so it was interesting to see that perspective. We do need more uplifting roles for blacks, but I pray for the day we no longer need so much to raise our cultural self-esteem. We can have all of the positive roles at our fingertips, but that positivity has to translate into value systems that sustain us off camera.
ReplyDeleteUnderstood, Nik. However, I think the problem is that this story HAS been told--repeatedly. We get it. Now it's time to tell--and be celebrated--for some other stories that are very much a part of our cultural past just as much as being the "help" is. To only be rewarded FOR those roles speaks to a larger issue, in that perhaps those are the only roles that are "believable" to them. That does not help to advance our rich history, our people, or our opportunities. The fight George Lucas had on his hands just to tell a positive story about our history, speaks volumes to even what they WANT to believe about us or want us to believe about OURSELVES. We can't keep feeding the beast by taking these roles.
DeleteIdeally it would help to not take those roles, but the reality is black actresses complain about not getting enough roles as it is. Until we get more blacks behind the camera that provide options for these actresses, they may feel the need to take the role of the maid or the nanny just to work. Another argument that has been going on since the Harlem Renaissance is whether or not black artists should be forced to be strictly utilitarian in their art. While in 2012 we still cannot afford to consistently portray ourselves in ways that set us back, for many artists it is just about the art and getting paid, rather than social responsibility. We see this in its grossest form in the current form of the Hip Hop movement. So while the case for utilitarianism is a valid one to take up, I think we need more things in place behind the scenes--more power positions--in order to fully carry it out. So who will be the next Spike Lee, John Singleton, or Tyler Perry. We are waiting for them to stand up.
DeleteI couldn't agree more, hence my earlier comments that echoed Taraji Henson's sentiments. Hopefully, the answer to who will be next, we'll find out soon.
DeleteErica, I must admit, the issue raised in this post did not cross my mind until now. I thought the movie was great, I thought that the actors were great, and I also understand the point you are making about diversity in Hollywood. "If there was a presidential role for every pimp role; a captain's role for every convict role; and a microbiologist role for every maid role,... it's up to black actors to be more selective in how we're represented and celebrated." Well said and it sparked a curiosity in me to dig deeper into the subject matter. What I found was a host of others who echo your sentiments and a research report that states that "Each year Hollywood executives select unknown white male actors (such as Armie Hammer, Chris Hemsworth, and Andrew Garfield) and cast them in big-budget action films and prestige projects, grooming them to become the next Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise. Actors of color are routinely shut out of these game-changing roles... there isn't one minority who's able to green-light major-studio projects." http://blogs.laweekly.com/informer/2012/02/oscars_academy_awards_white_diversity.php
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing Erica and thanks for the enlightenment.
Thank you for your comments, Blezzed1. I've seen many articles, blogs, etc. that have shared my sentiments, so it lets me know the concern is valid and the desire for change in the industry is strong. I couldn't agree more with how Hollywood "creates" white stars but forces black stars (many trained in acting) to prove themselves. And even once they do, they're not "rewarded" for their commitment to their craft or their talent. But as Taraji Henson said at an awards ceremony last year, until we can get behind the camera, we probably can't expect much change to occur anytime soon. And so the struggle continues, but that should never stop us from making our voices heard until then. So, thanks again for sharing your thoughts as well!
DeleteYour statement about how white actors are groomed reminds me of a book I am reading, The Outliers. It discusses the path highly successful people have taken. In one chapter it discusses how many successful were at the right place at the right time and connected with the right people. And those right people took them under their wing and afforded them the best opportunities to excel. There are many super talented people out there, and the only difference between them and the ones who made it is a good connection. A good example is Oprah. Anyone who links up with her turns to gold.
DeleteSo very true, Nik. As is often said, "It's not what you know, it's WHO you know." However, I think what makes what's happening most sad though is to have the power to change a career/life, but only pick ONE race of people to do it with. And therin lies the Hollywood rub ;-)
DeleteEveryone,I agree with each one of you on your point of view. However,I watched this movie twice, the first time with a Jewish woman who genuinely likes African-Americans and feels that it was sad to see how the 'helps' were treated, ad again with a group of African-Americans who felt the same way she did.
ReplyDeleteI liked the movie and I am glad that both ladies (Octavia and Olivia) were awarded for their hard work at portraying themselves as maids during a period of time that we only heard of from stories passed on throughout the years.I am very happy that they were awarded for their roles as maids, it would have schocked me if they had not been awarded at all! I know you all have different feelings about this, and believe that this is still a degrading role for African-Americans to play, but who else could have played them and as well? This story is about our History as a race of people, what we have to be grateful for is our actual progress over the years and thank God that we have worked, fought, marched, studied and struggled and died to become lawyers, doctors, nurses, teaches, entrepreneurs and now even President of the United States! The writers and directors in Hollywood should not be expected to write greater roles for African-Americans,these actors and actresses in Hollywood should come together as professionals and stir up the gifts that God has deposited in them and begin to write and direct their own movies, then they could create their own roles. Like everything else that we have fought for, in time they would be recognised and respected for their intelligence, and great talents in Hollywood and throughtout the world.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Marcy. I agree with Octavia and Viola deserving to be recognized. However, Viola's body of work has been consistently impressive thus far. Therefore, to give her the highest acting honor one can receive for this role is a bit dismissive of her true talents and more reflective of a mindset of what Hollywood is comfortable seeing and portraying. I too believe the maids story deserves to be told. The problem is that is already has been many times and yet other stories of our rich history continue to be overlooked or not celebrated. The hardship George Lucas faced convincing Hollywood to support a film about a very rich part of our history speaks volumes (i.e., Red Tails a.k.a the Tuskegee Airmen). Also, I agree in that what others won't do for us, we must do for ourselves. In fact, there is a great independent film movement happening where that is evident. However, we cannot deny the fact that we are not sitting in enough "decision making seats," to where we're not at the mercy of those who are or can seperate ourselves from needing their assistance in making our voices heard. Having family that work in Hollywood, I know firsthand of the numerous POSITIVE scripts that are written and pitches made, but no dice. Again, if George Lucas--the genius behind almost every special effect produced in movies today--could not convince them our story needed to be told NOR could he get any financial support to do so, it says a lot about what we are actually capable of getting done on our own right now. Ironcially, it seems affirmative action has found a home everywhere else but Hollywood--and it's needed there just as much as it is in the boardroom. But, keeping hope alive nonetheless.
DeleteThe reason affirmative action has not made it to Hollywood is simply this; media controls image and image influences what others believe about you, which ultimately determines how people will deal with you/your kind. Giving blacks in Hollywood the opportunity to eradicate stereotypes that have been fostered by the influence of media would be undermining the aim of the powers that be, whose strength lies in the misrepresentation of "The Other".
DeleteVery well said! The vicious cycle that feeds the vicious cycle ;-)
DeleteErica, I hear you loud and clear on your views of the movie, The Help and of the roles that black actors/actress choose to play.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to the actors/ actress I do think that we have played enough subservient roles in comparison to the other races and that it would be great to see us in more positive roles. However,in regards to the movie I really thought that it was good. It made me laugh, cry, and at times it made me a little uncomfortable but overall I enjoyed it.
I think that it is important for us to periodically bring the past into the future to remind of how far we've come as black people. I recently chaperoned a group of young people from ages 7-16 on a tour of a slave plantaion and they were totally disconnected from the past struggles of our people.They said what they would have and would not have taken. They had no clue of what our our ancestors had to endured for their freedom. It evoked a great Q&A session for the ride back home. So, for me movies like this help reflect a part of our history and allow us to teach or remind this "Entitlement Generation" of our ancestors past fight of freedom.
Thanks for commenting, Taura! I can agree that anything that generates conversation and reflection amongst our youth is never a bad thing. I recently had a conversation with a colleague about how the Civil Rights movement is all but lost on this generation. So, remembering where we came from is extremely important, but so is showing how far we've come and those are the images we definitely need reflected more.
DeleteP.S. on the "Entitlement Generation." So very true! Love it ;-)
DeleteTaura has a good point that we must remind the Entitle Generation of where we've come from so that they will appreciate the opportunities they have today. By the same token, the African American community needs to be defined by something other than struggle. I think our biggest issue is identity crisis; we need to know who we are pre-slavery, and see ourselves in light of natural gifts and talents versus coming up on the rough side of the mountain. It's time.
DeleteTaura I couldn't agree with you more.We as African American need to define ourselves on our own terms. Until we realize who we truly are Kings and Queens and don't settle for mediocrity. When I watched this movie I cried. It hurts to see what we have gone through and still going through. It was powerful performances by two phenomenal actresses Ms. Viola Davis and ms. Octavia Spencer.
ReplyDeleteThe Help does have its place in archiving "history," but it misses constructing real black personalities to underscore the oppression blacks went through and conquered. Ultimately, The Help represents two things: 1. The images of blackness that white society has created and become most comfortable with -- it is this relationship of images that creates a comfort zone for white readers even as it allows them to wink at each other and say "see how far we've come since." 2. The Help panders to contemporary social consciences in a way that it seems to challenge old structures even while perpetuating them. How is that possible? Well, it presents the images of blackness, those relationships that whites have long been familiar with, without changing them, lifting the mask of those images and exposing talented and intelligent women who were equal to or superior to Hilly and Elizabeth and the sorts. Yet, on the surface, it says "look at these mean, stupid whites who get off oppressing others." The surface pricks the social conscience while the images of servitude never change -- thus creating a neatly packaged social conscience book that whites can laud as challenging racism without really shaking the core of what they have built, what they are comfortable with in regards to racial relations and the socially produced images of the "slave/master" mentality. It is a 1930s attempt to "speak for the Negro," to borrow a phrase from Robert Penn Warren, and that white constructed black voice fails in 2012 because that voice panders instead of confronts and challenge with a white acknowledgement of "hey, we finally get it! We understand. OMG we are going to change this, HELP us change this!" This is a story that had Richard Wright or Ralph Ellison or Audrey Lorde or Toni Morrison or Gloria Naylor told it would resound with acrid laughter that jar a recognition of the horror and haunt us with bleeding desires and dormant talents that were never realized because of oppression. By the way, black writers HAVE been writing this story over and over -- where is their movie, their literary awards?
ReplyDelete