Black Hollywood:
Afrosuperism — Soon I Will Be Invincible and my blackness is my superpower.
Today is my first-ever lecture, and I stand before you, my children, with a burning question: Where has our power gone? In a media landscape dominated by pale shades, it is time to confront the limited narratives that have marginalized Black voices.
We Interrupt this program to bring you Tyler Perry’s MADEA!
I’m here to be a role model for the black community and your children. MA to the dang D E A.
BREAKING NEWS: History is made as the first Black woman ever is awarded an Oscar for her portrayal as a slave. Hattie McDaniel’s triumph is a testament to our resilience and talent. I am Hattie McDaniel, and my story is a symbol of hope and progress. Stay tuned for further details on this monumental achievement.
“Hellur! Hellur! Hellur! Hellur!” MA to the dang D E A. PRAISE THE LORDT! I SAID PRAISE THE LORDT! DANCE..AND DANCE.. AND I greet you with praise and gratitude, for it is the Lordt who has guided me on this journey. As a Black woman in the spotlight, I am here to be a role model for our community and to inspire your children.
But I can’t help but notice the scarcity of superheroes that resemble me, that reflect our beautiful Blackness. Yet, deep within, I know that I, too, can be a superhero. I envision possessing super strength as my power or perhaps laser vision, an embodiment of our extraordinary potential.
I can still hear her haunting voice saying: “Quite frankly I enjoy my job as a director! Next please! Tyler Perry is my go-to guy. He has taught me so much about black people! Their culture is so fun! I mean, he writes stories that I can swallow! I need a metaphor for you people! Like Popeyes biscuits and chicken! I said next!”
So, dear citizen, imagine the impact of these words: “Girl, you don’t act BLACK,” “No Tyler Perry movies for you.” We have been free from the shackles of slavery for over 400 years, and yet our lives continue to be undervalued. Black faces fade away, their innocent children robbed of the chance to grow into adulthood.
Mhm! Tyler Perry write stories ‘bout LOUD FAT, BLACK women with weaves. Its okay Cause I’m funny, Right? You gotta be just like me!
And me! Jezebel is what they call me, beautiful ain’t I. you can look and you can touch even if I don’t want you to, Hollywood has taught you that I am an object only meant is to please not human enough to tell you no
Or the Welfare Queen! Too broke. Too lazy; relies on Food stamps and Section 08 to provide for my: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12…13 kids! You know, the ones you call savages on TV.
As a director, I want to say that: UGH! I LOVE IT! IT’S SO YOU! THAT’S YOUR ROLE!
In an attempt to foster understanding, ten students, five Black and five white, were asked to open up about their perceptions of one another. But what emerged were divisive stereotypes: “White people smell like wet dogs.” “Black people love to steal.” “All white people are racist.” “Black power.” “All Black people are thugs from the hood.” “I’m not racist! I have Black friends!”
Where did they learn these harmful stereotypes? The answer was clear: television. Mainstream media perpetuates these narratives, shaping perceptions and molding the minds of both children and adults. Madea, a caricature of a Black woman, mocks and belittles the struggles we face. BET, a channel intended for our community, often feeds us chains that keep us mentally enslaved.
Our community is trapped within a box, confined by the limited images and narratives projected onto us. This is how America sees us, and this is what our children are taught they should be. While Hollywood denies its complicity, I, for one, am tired. Tired of being laughed at, seen as less than human, and treated as such every single day.
BREAKING NEWS: Tamir Rice, Breonna Taylor, Trayvon Martin — these names echo through our collective consciousness, each representing a life lost unjustly. These tragedies underscore the urgency of our fight for justice. We must never forget their stories.
I never wanted to be a princess in a fairytale movie, forever confined as a frog. Those stories were for the fair-skinned, where their beauty shines through the sky. Meanwhile, we are left with movies that portray people like Madea, perpetuating negative stereotypes crafted by Tyler Perry himself.
And the news just in: An unarmed Black boy lost his life while undergoing a procedure to remove a bullet from his back. When questioned about his motive, the officer claimed the boy fit the description and believed him to be the supposed “thug.” The officer learned everything he thought he knew about Black people from the movies.
America judges me based on what they’ve seen in my movies, reducing my identity to a single portrayal. What are they so afraid of?
