Why is Everyone Hating on “Precious”?
Why are so many African Americans hating on the new film Precious? For the first time in a long time, a seriously moving story about “real life” has arrived on the big screen accompanied by great fan fair (thanks to Sundance) and some serious financial backers (thanks to Oprah & Tyler…two reforming, survivors)! So what’s the trouble?
From comparing it to Birth of A Nation (yup) to dissatisfaction over the portrayal of darker black folk (the antagonists) against the lighter black folk (protagonists), it seems like everyone is hating. But in the process people are missing the truest survivor in the film, Precious, who through her struggles displays what’s best about black America.
To be honest, it feels like 1985 all over again when The Color Purple premiered. Back then Alice Walker and Steven Speilberg caught heat and negativity from the black community for their gripping portrayal of Southern life. Since then, there hasn’t been a movie like it, until now! Sadly, the hate continues.
When I ask friends what the hostility is really about I receive the overused excuse that WE shouldn’t be airing our dirty drawers in public. But should we really be ignoring our problems? These things are happening in our community and households. If exposing the realities of brutality can draw awareness, halt abuse, cause us to pause and ponder our diets, relationships, sexual demons….isn’t that worth it? Who cares if white folks are watching?
Drama and dysfunction are within all aspects of society! But our shame to discuss our dysfunctions and pain on a real level and practically through our ART, only worsen the grief, deepen the wounds and makes us feel more pain. Once we understand that, then we can get to the business of healing our wounds. Because after all isn’t that what is important….the healing!!!??! Secrets create more dysfunction and we have no time to pacify our collective ego!
See the original post by Ebony Joy at:
SHAME BEGETS MORE SHAME…A QUICK NOTE ON THE IMPORTANCE OF “PRECIOUS”
Malkia lays down some deep analysis on Precious. Must read: http://www.wimnonline.org/WIMNsVoicesBlog/2009/11/16/precious-my-precious-black-female-citizenship-complexity-and-the-politics-of-unrelenting-survival/