Tue Mar 25 2008 19:26:59 By: Keith Whitener ( 56)
This is an excellent article!

Tue Apr 29 2008 14:12:22 By: Michael Langston Moore ( 26)
Keith,
I just wanted to say thanks for checking out my article, and I'm glad you enjoyed it so much.

Thu May 15 2008 10:34:17 By: humano ( 33)
yes that is the truth african american women have lost their spark on the entertainment arena.all we see is images of black women being arrogantly oversexed and lowclass trash on rap videos and now the whole world thinks that african american women are loose and all they do is have babies,loudmouthed who dont care about their future and only care about welfare and women who hate themselves. so i thnk it is time them to stand up and reclaim their dignity.education is the only tool to free yourself from degradations from these men and empower yourselves and even african american women can direct and produce your own movies and dont wait for whites to make movies about your lives.whites are like that and what can we do to stop them from patronising black women,nothing and all we can do is create our own movies, music and tv series that empower us and not degrade us.

Mon May 26 2008 22:58:43 By: Michael Langston Moore ( 26)
I agree with some of your points. I think ideally blacks need to start making their own quality programming. I think Tyler Perry is attempting to do this, though I don't think a lot of his work is of high quality. But I can commend him for trying.
I do, though, don't think it's enough to simply cut off the rest of society and just have blacks or black women create their own entertainment. We need to reach a point where anyone, of any race, will look at someone else and not think stereotypically.
You have to remember that a lack of strong, black role models in prominent places of entertainment on television and film trickles down to little black girls and boys who are watching at home. Check out the black and white doll test videos and text that's out there. These young black children truly find black dolls, which are representations of themselves, to be "ugly" and "evil." That certainly doesn't fall all on Hollywood, but entertainment plays a big role.

Sat Jun 21 2008 07:12:19 By: ladyacura28 ( 1)
I enjoyed your article. I am actually writing my Masters Thesis on this topic.I would enjoy any input you could offer. Your article was great and very insightful.

Tue Jun 24 2008 19:20:05 By: Michael Langston Moore ( 26)
Thanks Lady. I sent you a message on Starpulse. Feel free to respond, as I'm interested in your Thesis.

Mon Jul 7 2008 13:41:01 By: liljanet1009 ( 12)
Great article Mike. Do you have a lucky lady that inspired you?

Thu Aug 14 2008 14:21:05 By: Stax2008 ( 1)
I agree with many points in your article. As a black actress, the absence of roles for black women is both disappointing and disconcerting. Unfortunately, as the power structure in Hollywood exist, things won't change without a collective effort. From commercials to music videos to television to film, black women today are seen as gold digging, finger wagging, loud talking, nagging, complaining and bitchy. It's part of a vicious cycle. That's how we're seen so that's how we're projected.


While Tyler Perry's movies are successful, the female characters tend to fall in line with the characteristics above. Music videos are another culprit. As long as rappers insists on objectifying women and these young women desperate for any kind of fame allow themselves to be objectified, the cars, cash and women formula will continue.



Even advertisers insists on painting black women with very broad strokes. To be considered "commercial," it's often necessary to take pictures with your hair in a natural state or a natural looking state. I don't wear my hair that way. It's interesting to say the least.



I think we need more people behind the camera - people who aren't jaded, people who really care about the representation of black men and women on television and don't just want to make a buck.



A change is coming, I know it. I'm part of the movement.

Sat Sep 13 2008 23:43:24 By: b_oliver36 ( 946)
It's a shame really. There are plenty of good and great Black actresses in Hollywood, but they would rather pick someone of another ethnicity or a bad Black actress. They also cast our actresses poorly because we die in almost every movie genre except for comedies. Directors need to open their eyes and see their potential. That is also why there has been only one Black actress with an leading role Oscar.