What's the Big Effin' Deal?

[Soda83pop]

No, it does have some bearing to what we're debating about, because that's what some people are saying (about the big lips, the way the characters talk, stuff like that), but it is something more, and on a different scale. I have read a few more newsblogs about it, and there are those saying that the significance of New Orleans (extremely devastating for black people) is like a slap in the face with the making of this movie.

My apologies for misreading.

.I honestly drew no connection between Katrina and this movie. Wow...

Just goes to show the power of perspective.

Although I still want to know how the Nevilles arent doing any music in this movie...that's bananas.

 

[CurtWild]

I think Kis is right, it may just be an age-difference issue. Yeah, she's got a little accent, but the actress (who is black and beautiful, by the way) playing her has an accent. Otherwise she sounds like me. I'm sure there would be MORE scandalous controversy if Tiana was voiced by a white woman.
And why are we assuming the "steppenfetchit" firefly represents a black person? I've talked to people from Louisiana.......and they DO sound like that. Some of them, black and white alike. So, we assume that any character who has no teeth and talks unintelligebly respresents black people automatically? That's reaching to me.

Kis, you know I love ya, but I think I have to respectfully disagree with you on this one.

--T

i was gonna say the same thing.

i see nothing wrong with the movie judging from the trailer.

 

[kis123]

No, it does have some bearing to what we're debating about, because that's what some people are saying (about the big lips, the way the characters talk, stuff like that), but it is something more, and on a different scale. I have read a few more newsblogs about it, and there are those saying that the significance of New Orleans (extremely devastating for black people) is like a slap in the face with the making of this movie. Do people really think that the creators in the Disney studios sit back and are like......"Okay, how the fuck can we offend every race and ethnicity of people in THIS movie?" I find that really hard to believe. I'm not saying that there isn't racism, but to blatanly put every black stereotype in a movie just to prove a point and piss people off? They might as well have Tiana eating some watermelon and have a bucket of chicken in her hand. Hey, maybe they will, since all Disney is trying to do it piss black people off, why not go over the deep end and just do it that way? You think people might stop complaining?--T

That's about the only thing missing, IMO!

Let's look at this geographically shall we; only one small portion of the country speaks with a Southern accent. Why make that the headline character of the movie? Okay, the actress has a southern accent; so do Cybil Shepard and Reese Whitherspoon. Do you hear them sporting their natural accents when they act? No, you don't so if white actresses can control those accents, why can't the black actress in question do the same?

Ever see the movie "Crash?" There was a scene where a movie was being made and an exchange between Terrence Howard's and Tony Danza's characters. The movie was being made with all sorts of prejudiced and racist stereotypes and Terrence Howard tried to clean it up a little. Tony Danza's caracter threatened to take him of the picture if he didn't add the crap back to the movie.

I'm sorry, this only supports all the stereotypes I've been looking at for decades. I had deluded myself into believing things have gotten better, but after the trailer you posted, nothing's changed at all with the exception that younger blacks find it more acceptable and tolerable. That's really sad IMO; how about if you let some older Black/African Americans see the trailer. I'm betting they'd be just as concerned about it as I am.

Oh, and one more thing; the "steppinfetchit" character is aimed directly at us Tamia. I know you know your history so I'm baffled by some of your comments.

 

[brianspencer66]

That's about the only thing missing, IMO!

Let's look at this geographically shall we; only one small portion of the country speaks with a Southern accent. Why make that the headline character of the movie? Okay, the actress has a southern accent; so do Cybil Shepard and Reese Whitherspoon. Do you hear them sporting their natural accents when they act? No, you don't so if white actresses can control those accents, why can't the black actress in question do the same?

Ever see the movie "Crash?" There was a scene where a movie was being made and an exchange between Terrence Howard's and Tony Danza's characters. The movie was being made with all sorts of prejudiced and racist stereotypes and Terrence Howard tried to clean it up a little. Tony Danza's caracter threatened to take him of the picture if he didn't add the crap back to the movie.

I'm sorry, this only supports all the stereotypes I've been looking at for decades. I had deluded myself into believing things have gotten better, but after the trailer you posted, nothing's changed at all with the exception that younger blacks find it more acceptable and tolerable. That's really sad IMO; how about if you let some older Black/African Americans see the trailer. I'm betting they'd be just as concerned about it as I am.

Oh, and one more thing; the "steppinfetchit" character is aimed directly at us Tamia. I know you know your history so I'm baffled by some of your comments.

Sorry Im baffled too.

 

[Oddjob0226]

I'm not saying that there isn't racism, but to blatanly put every black stereotype in a movie just to prove a point and piss people off?

Yeah, and the fact that The Walt Disney Company is a huge backer of The Los Angeles Urban League and somewhat lesser of the National Urban League.

Disney exec Bob Billingsley would quit his VERY high ranking/high paying job with the company if that was their plan. Or he'd stay with the company and fight to change said plan.

I think I still have my photos with Minnie Mouse in kente cloth somewhere from one of the NUL national conventions. I'll post if I can find.

( Oh! And you can find variations of Southern accents - there's more than one type - in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennesee, Louisinana, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, and sections of South Carolina, Virginia, W. Virginia and New Mexico. And wherever tourists from those states go, or permanantly move to. )

 

[brianspencer66]

fantasia clip (sunflower)

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[brianspencer66]

I grew up seeing these images all the time, Young people dont see this now,

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gH4ivOyO0PQ&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gH4ivOyO0PQ&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

 

[slacker2114]

You know what I think Disney should do? They should make a movie that portrays every single stereotype known to man, from the war-mongering, uptight white man to the fried chicken and watermelon eating black man to the extremely near-sighted Asian. I'm not sure what would be funnier: the over-the-top exaggeration of every race, religion etc known to man or the firestorm people will raise over it.

The reason I think this should be done is because too many people allow these stereotypes, just like certain words, hold power over them. There is a stigma attached to all of them and many are trained to think if they see them, they're supposed to be outraged. Personally, I look for the humor in almost everything not because I'm racist, but because I try not to be uptight and allow something as abstract as that hold sway over me. Somewhere along the way, people forgot that WE are the funniest things on the planet. Just look at the stupid shit we do.

When did we stop laughing at ourselves and start acting as if we're all so noble and above ridicule? Granted, those things can be used in malicious and hurtful ways, but only because we ALLOW them to hurt us. If we'd just learn to laugh it off or even ignore it, it can't hurt you. And I know someone is going to throw at me "Well slacker, you're white. You wouldn't understand". My friends, you'd be surprised at my capacity of understanding.

My point is haven't we evolved enough as people to be able to just look past the petty things of the ignorant and just laugh it off? Haven't we learned that confronting negativity with more negativity doesn't produce anything positive? And let's not forget what Tam has stated before: this is a movie for CHILDREN. While some kids are very clever, most of them will not pick up on the subtle things that adults seem to think are there. The kids will only see a princess movie and more potential toys that they want.

On a final note, who really gives a fuck if the princess is black and the prince is white? Are we still so shallow that this is something that still bothers us? Good grief! Some people really do need to get a life.

Oh yeah, one more thing: IT'S A FRIGGIN' CARTOON MOVIE!!!

 

[Brock Samson]

Ok, there were a couple of things in the trailer that stand out as...questionable. But blatantly racist...no way. I don't really see it happening.

 

[Tamia78]

Are you freaking kidding me?

THANK YOU SLACKER!!!!

Kis and Brian,

I'm extremely confused as to why you are baffled. Of course I grew up the same way you both did. My parents would probably have the same viewpoints as both of you. As a matter of fact, after I finish writing this, I'm going to ask them about it.

Slacker said a very important thing, tho. It only hurts you if you LET it hurt you. Stop letting it hurt you. It's a cartoon, it doesn't matter. Even if the Disney company is hell-bent on berating black people, it shouldn't bother you. We are above that. You are going to deal with it correctly by not seeing the movie. Unfortunately we are STILL proving that we are above that to this day.

And yes, I grew up looking at the cartoons that Brian posted. I know the blackface was aimed at us. You just have to roll your eyes and say, "Fuck it" I never let that shit bother me growing up, why should I let it bother me now? Why should I hold a grudge? People are still going to be stupid. I just have to roll my eyes and say "Fuck it". I know who I am, where I came from and where I'm going. I'm going to exceed people's expectations of what a black person should be like, and maybe they'll learn a little bit from me. That's all I can do. I will NOT be put in a box.
So NO, that ugly little firefly does not represent me, you, or any other black person who thinks outside the box.

--T

 

[BellaRisa]

Thank you

THANK YOU SLACKER!!!!

Kis and Brian,

I'm extremely confused as to why you are baffled. Of course I grew up the same way you both did. My parents would probably have the same viewpoints as both of you. As a matter of fact, after I finish writing this, I'm going to ask them about it.

Slacker said a very important thing, tho. It only hurts you if you LET it hurt you. Stop letting it hurt you. It's a cartoon, it doesn't matter. Even if the Disney company is hell-bent on berating black people, it shouldn't bother you. We are above that. You are going to deal with it correctly by not seeing the movie. Unfortunately we are STILL proving that we are above that to this day.

And yes, I grew up looking at the cartoons that Brian posted. I know the blackface was aimed at us. You just have to roll your eyes and say, "Fuck it" I never let that shit bother me growing up, why should I let it bother me now? Why should I hold a grudge? People are still going to be stupid. I just have to roll my eyes and say "Fuck it". I know who I am, where I came from and where I'm going. I'm going to exceed people's expectations of what a black person should be like, and maybe they'll learn a little bit from me. That's all I can do. I will NOT be put in a box.
So NO, that ugly little firefly does not represent me, you, or any other black person who thinks outside the box.

--T

You, young lady, are my Shero for today. I'm sending you a lovely giftbasket of higher-than-average priced fine chocolates and tiny fruit-shaped soaps

There is no way Disney or any other company could have made this movie without upsetting someone, because folks will FIND things to be upset about. All I know is there will now be a well done Disney flick featuring a lovely black princess who looks (gasp!) black, not like Brown Cinderella, with a non-black prince. My baby girls with the black mama and the incredibly non-black daddy will be there on opening day with popcorn and snocaps 🙂

 

[Oddjob0226]

I've always wanted to see that Fantasia scene - thank you!

I grew up with these clips, too.

I would have grown up to be a jerk with 'em or without 'em. It's my charm. It's my curse.

So all the people who are against the frog movie see the same thing in the trailer as you do in the Fantasia & Warner Brothers clips? Exactly, positively equal in content, context, intent and meaning? Interesting.

You know "frog' is a disparaging term for a French person, and the movie does take place in New Orleans. But no one in this thread will stand bravely for the affonted Gauls? I won't - but anyone else of you?

 

[Brock Samson]

THANK YOU SLACKER!!!!

Kis and Brian,

I'm extremely confused as to why you are baffled. Of course I grew up the same way you both did. My parents would probably have the same viewpoints as both of you. As a matter of fact, after I finish writing this, I'm going to ask them about it.

Slacker said a very important thing, tho. It only hurts you if you LET it hurt you. Stop letting it hurt you. It's a cartoon, it doesn't matter. Even if the Disney company is hell-bent on berating black people, it shouldn't bother you. We are above that. You are going to deal with it correctly by not seeing the movie. Unfortunately we are STILL proving that we are above that to this day.

And yes, I grew up looking at the cartoons that Brian posted. I know the blackface was aimed at us. You just have to roll your eyes and say, "Fuck it" I never let that shit bother me growing up, why should I let it bother me now? Why should I hold a grudge? People are still going to be stupid. I just have to roll my eyes and say "Fuck it". I know who I am, where I came from and where I'm going. I'm going to exceed people's expectations of what a black person should be like, and maybe they'll learn a little bit from me. That's all I can do. I will NOT be put in a box.
So NO, that ugly little firefly does not represent me, you, or any other black person who thinks outside the box.

--T

OMG, thank you for this post. I don't see what the big fudgin problem is. I have had it, with this motherfriggin oversensitivity on this motherfriggin thread!!!

 

[Fire_Sprite]

It seems to me like the people against this movie are the ones who can't move on.

 

[Brock Samson]

It seems to me like the people against this movie are the ones who can't move on.

Congradulations, you've just found the Daily Double! 'loud applause'

 

[brianspencer66]

THANK YOU SLACKER!!!!

Kis and Brian,

I'm extremely confused as to why you are baffled. Of course I grew up the same way you both did. My parents would probably have the same viewpoints as both of you. As a matter of fact, after I finish writing this, I'm going to ask them about it.

Slacker said a very important thing, tho. It only hurts you if you LET it hurt you. Stop letting it hurt you. It's a cartoon, it doesn't matter. Even if the Disney company is hell-bent on berating black people, it shouldn't bother you. We are above that. You are going to deal with it correctly by not seeing the movie. Unfortunately we are STILL proving that we are above that to this day.

And yes, I grew up looking at the cartoons that Brian posted. I know the blackface was aimed at us. You just have to roll your eyes and say, "Fuck it" I never let that shit bother me growing up, why should I let it bother me now? Why should I hold a grudge? People are still going to be stupid. I just have to roll my eyes and say "Fuck it". I know who I am, where I came from and where I'm going. I'm going to exceed people's expectations of what a black person should be like, and maybe they'll learn a little bit from me. That's all I can do. I will NOT be put in a box.
So NO, that ugly little firefly does not represent me, you, or any other black person who thinks outside the box.

--T

Tamia, that was sooo well said and you know what? I agree with you and Im proud that your such a strong black young woman that can hold your head above water. And well Im sure most African Americans here on this site are like that. None of us have problem dealing with other people of other cultures and we can acclimate.

However its not so much the cartoon Im talking about its the climate that we live in. Rolling our eyes and saying fuck it are fine but only works to a point. You mention dont let it hurt you. Well we been a people hurting for 400 years just look around girl.
One cant roll ones eyes to the reality that black college grads earn less in a lifetime than their white counterparts nor can we say fuck it when more black young black men are in jail than in college. There comes a point when we need to stop thinking of the individual and think of the state of a people as a whole.

No matter how you may see yourself or comport yourself in public or a job interview its not just you they are seeing its, the state of all African Americans if the person holding the purse strings is diffrent from you. Im not saying all people are like that but many are. And well its not complaining its simply a fact of life here in the US. Just the fact that this is still a largely segregated country alone should tell you there is a huge racial disconnect.

But I will say you and Bella make some sound points and do talk to your parents and others.

 

[kis123]

You know, everyone's entitled to their opinion. Opinions tend to be based on life experiences and whether the masses around here like it or not, many of my (and others) life experiences came at the hands of those who don't appreciate people of color! My opinions aren't going to change because some of you have gotten offended over my comments. I thought Tamia was askiing for opinions, not some sort of agreement-fest.....my bad!

As far as "moving on" is concerned, it's a lot easier to move on when you don't have crap shoved in your face everyday reminding you, isn't it? And it's also odd that most of those who say "move on" aren't living in this brown skin, but.....you're entitled to your viewpoints as well.

It's a friggin' cartoon, but look at the old school cartoons and see how many negative images of blacks are portrayed in them. Just because it's animated doesn't make it any less important.

Society has gotten so PC and watered down that we're being lulled to sleep and just don't care anymore. At least for some, but not for me anyway!

Oh btw, I never said Disney was racist--but I do find the trailer tacky and lacking of taste. I won't judge anyone who would take their kids to watch it so don't judge me if I don't agree with you! As for the moving on message, trust me I've very much moved on or I'd be in power-dress doing it like they did it in the 60s!

 

[brianspencer66]

I've always wanted to see that Fantasia scene - thank you!

I grew up with these clips, too.

I would have grown up to be a jerk with 'em or without 'em. It's my charm. It's my curse.

So all the people who are against the frog movie see the same thing in the trailer as you do in the Fantasia & Warner Brothers clips? Exactly, positively equal in content, context, intent and meaning? Interesting.

You know "frog' is a disparaging term for a French person, and the movie does take place in New Orleans. But no one in this thread will stand bravely for the affonted Gauls? I won't - but anyone else of you?

You know the frog was not such a big deal to me. The real subcontext is really race and racism and how all of us choose to deal with it. And lets face it there are no if's and's or but's nor any clever witty accolades will get around the fact that we clearly have a race problem here in America pure and simple thats all.

 

[kis123]

You know the frog was not such a big deal to me. The real subcontext is really race and racism and how all of us choose to deal with it. And lets face it there are no if's and's or but's nor any clever witty accolades will get around the fact that we clearly have a race problem here in America pure and simple thats all.

What's the big deal about a frog? And her getting a white prince?? Who cares about that stuff! The only things I was commenting about were the accent of the princess and that awful toothless bug!

I had a white prince for 10 years until he turned into a toad!🙄 Interracial dating and marriage certainly weren't on my mind when I started posting into this thread!

 

[Oddjob0226]

The bug could be Creole, possibly Cajun. I think he looks pretty ugly, though.

 

[Brock Samson]

You know, everyone's entitled to their opinion. Opinions tend to be based on life experiences and whether the masses around here like it or not, many of my (and others) life experiences came at the hands of those who don't appreciate people of color! My opinions aren't going to change because some of you have gotten offended over my comments. I thought Tamia was askiing for opinions, not some sort of agreement-fest.....my bad!

As far as "moving on" is concerned, it's a lot easier to move on when you don't have crap shoved in your face everyday reminding you, isn't it? And it's also odd that most of those who say "move on" aren't living in this brown skin, but.....you're entitled to your viewpoints as well.

It's a friggin' cartoon, but look at the old school cartoons and see how many negative images of blacks are portrayed in them. Just because it's animated doesn't make it any less important.

Society has gotten so PC and watered down that we're being lulled to sleep and just don't care anymore. At least for some, but not for me anyway!

Oh btw, I never said Disney was racist--but I do find the trailer tacky and lacking of taste. I won't judge anyone who would take their kids to watch it so don't judge me if I don't agree with you! As for the moving on message, trust me I've very much moved on or I'd be in power-dress doing it like they did it in the 60s!

Well, I'm not living in dark brown skin, but I've gotten it shoved in my face even more. Trying being hated by your people for not being solely part of your people. Now multiply that by 3. I've got four different cultures in me, and I've been hated on by 3 of those. I'm not fully black, white, or latino, but I've been given shit by all 3 for that very reason. To be frank, I don't give a damn about it now, because I know I'm superbad!

 

[slacker2114]

Well, I'm not living in dark brown skin, but I've gotten it shoved in my face even more. Trying being hated by your people for not being solely part of your people. Now multiply that by 3. I've got four different cultures in me, and I've been hated on by 3 of those. I'm not fully black, white, or latino, but I've been given shit by all 3 for that very reason. To be frank, I don't give a damn about it now, because I know I'm superbad!

Good on you, poe. Fuck the naysayers.

 

[kis123]

Well, I'm not living in dark brown skin, but I've gotten it shoved in my face even more. Trying being hated by your people for not being solely part of your people. Now multiply that by 3. I've got four different cultures in me, and I've been hated on by 3 of those. I'm not fully black, white, or latino, but I've been given shit by all 3 for that very reason. To be frank, I don't give a damn about it now, because I know I'm superbad!

I fully understand poetic; my daughter is biracial and my SO is biracial. They've both told me their struggles and it's very real-I thoroughly understand. My family loves her, but her father's family are a pack of racist dogs IMO. She has a cousin who is biracial, but is brown-skinned; the family shuns her because she doesn't look like my daughter who is very fair. How ignorant is that?? Very!!!!

My daughter started tanning as a bonding gig with her basketball team and found out she liked her bronze look. One day, her father tells her "you're getting dark!" What kind of ignorant comment is that?? What, if she gets too dark, he won't love her anymore?? I don't even understand why that clown married me in the first place knowing how badly he turned on me when the marriage got bad. But why on earth would he criticize his own child for exploring her new-found adulthood by going to a stupid tanning booth? But folks around here call me the racist? Yeah, whatever!! A true racist doesn't sleep with the enemy folks! That's like a KKK or a skin head with a biracial child; not gonna happen ever in life!!!

It doesn't make it any easier to live in this world does it? Not black enough for blacks, not white enough for whites, etc. I get that and have had to comfort my daughter for nearly 19 years because of it. Goes back to slavery and 400 years still hasn't changed the problem has it? She's strengthened her backbone and resolve and doesn't give a crap anymore but it hurt me because she gets judged over nothing but skin color.

Please people-I made a comment about a disney movie trailer; I had no intention of opening up a racial can of worms. I was asked for an opinion; just because it makes some folks uncomfortable, doesn't mean it's not valid.

I'm also noticing the most pushback I'm getting are from folks substantially younger than me. Like I said, I was a child when Dr King was killed; maybe that has a lot to do with how I see things because I lived during a raw period in history. I was around to see the damage of the Hough avenue riots that took place in Cleveland after news of Dr King's death got out; it was a horrible time back then. I've seen things and dealt with issues that I hope you never have to experience. My perspective is much different, but don't dismiss me because I don't say what you want to hear or what gives you the warm-n-fuzzies (all "you's" hypothetical btw).

 

[Tamia78]

Sis,

You are right. I don't understand, and I didn't live in that time, and I guess this thread just went too far.

I'm sorry everyone for starting this. I guess you get what you ask for.

My sincerest apologies to everyone,

--T

 

[slacker2114]

Sis,

You are right. I don't understand, and I didn't live in that time, and I guess this thread just went too far.

I'm sorry everyone for starting this. I guess you get what you ask for.

My sincerest apologies to everyone,

--T

Sorry for what? Rob gave this thread a shout-out on the radio show and people have conducted themselves in a rather civil manner on what many would consider a volitile subject.

Kis does have a point in the fact that there are generational issues. MLK was assasinated long before you and I were born so many of that times problems are kind of lost on us. And there are those of the newer generations, myself included, that wish to put the past behind us. Never forget, but instead move on and become bigger than we were in the past. It's easy to understand how some of those who lived in those times have trouble letting go. Especially when you have people, like the hellraisers with their nonsense over a cartoon, who refuse to let something die. It creates an air of animosity between people for no real reason.

Sorry for starting this? No way! We never learn unless it's brought to light so we can talk it out.