Jesse Jackson... Just Shut Up

[letterdavidman]

I would love to be wrong. They are two of my favorites and I'm sure they could do serious drama.

Speaking purely as a film buff (and getting, momentarily, entirely off topic), both actors have tackled more "serious" fare. Ice Cube first came to prominence, acting-wise, as Doughboy in John Singleton's still-excellent Boyz n the Hood. And as far as Samuel L. Jackson goes, he's done a wealth of dramatic films, including Jungle Fever, Pulp Fiction, and the current Black Snake Moan, among many, many others.

 

[cardaway]

Speaking purely as a film buff (and getting, momentarily, entirely off topic), both actors have tackled more "serious" fare. Ice Cube first came to prominence, acting-wise, as Doughboy in John Singleton's still-excellent Boyz n the Hood. And as far as Samuel L. Jackson goes, he's done a wealth of dramatic films, including Jungle Fever, Pulp Fiction, and the current Black Snake Moan, among many, many others.

You got me. I should have posted more serious drama. I actually own three of those films.

And since were on that topic... add Changing Lanes, Unbreakable, The Negotiator, Jackie Brown, and A Time To Kill to the list of Sam DVD's I own.

But none of those are what I would think would be best actor worthy, but I've been shocked before at nominations.

 

[letterdavidman]

You got me. I should have posted more serious drama. I actually own three of those films.

And since were on that topic... add Changing Lanes, Unbreakable, The Negotiator, Jackie Brown, and A Time To Kill to the list of Sam DVD's I own.

But none of those are what I would think would be best actor worthy, but I've been shocked before at nominations.

Not to entirely hijack this thread, or anything (I know, too late!), but I think Gator, from Jungle Fever, and Jules Winfield, from Pulp Fiction, were two very awards-worthy performances.

Now, then. As for the topic of this thread, I, too, am no fan of J.J., but also think that, much like a broken clock is right twice a day, the man can inadvertantly (and almost in spite of himself) stumble on a legitimate topic. I mean, like, every once in a great, great while.

 

[disneyfan67]

IMO what Jesse, and anybody who agrees with him, are ignoring is there now a sizable population of minorties making movies now. If Jessie has an issue with them not being up worthy of Acedemy Awards he should take it up with the people making these movies not the entire Acedemy.
There is plenty of "color" on American screens.

I think this post sums it up well. It really seems that the overall quality of films, including ones of color, have been really lacking. Most of the movies of color that I've seen advertised the past couple of years, seem to play on stereotypes. Big Momma's House, Norbit, Undercover Brother, and fill in the rest. There has to be better quality movies coming from the black community if they want to be considered Oscar material. Dream Girls is a perfect example of a movie that the black film makers should be making.


There is times where you wonder what the heck the Academy was thinking, like the time Morgan Freeman was overlooked for The Shaw shank Redemption. That entire movie was overlooked and it's a true classic in every sense of the word. It was almost a crime Morgan Freeman didn't win.

In fairness though, a lot of deserving films get overlooked and it has to do with the inside politics, movie promotion, and getting the attention of the Academy members with junkets and parties. This the stuff, we the public, never see. From all the buzz I've been reading, it looks like Dream girls is going to be a big winner. It's a great film and deserves everything it wins.

 

[Charade]

Aren't you tired of popcorn?

 

[Fitswimmer]

I think this post sums it up well. It really seems that the overall quality of films, including ones of color, have been really lacking. Most of the movies of color that I've seen advertised the past couple of years, seem to play on stereotypes. Big Momma's House, Norbit, Undercover Brother, and fill in the rest. There has to be better quality movies coming from the black community if they want to be considered Oscar material. Dream Girls is a perfect example of a movie that the black film makers should be making.


There is times where you wonder what the heck the Academy was thinking, like the time Morgan Freeman was overlooked for The Shaw shank Redemption. That entire movie was overlooked and it's a true classic in every sense of the word. It was almost a crime Morgan Freeman didn't win.

In fairness though, a lot of deserving films get overlooked and it has to do with the inside politics, movie promotion, and getting the attention of the Academy members with junkets and parties. This the stuff, we the public, never see. From all the buzz I've been reading, it looks like Dream girls is going to be a big winner. It's a great film and deserves everything it wins.

I'm glad someone else is still outraged over Shawshank. It was an amazing story which then became a masterful film. Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman made those characters live, but so did the supporting cast!

When I was in college, I was good friends with an African American woman who would just go OFF on the quality of "black" entertainment. "No better than minstrel shows!! DYNOMITE and What you talkin' about Willis! That trash doesn't represent me or my race!" I can still hear her and I can just imagine what she would have to say about White Chicks, Little Man and that entire genre.

I would like to know how Jesse is really viewed in the black community. Is he a real leader of the community as he is portrayed in the media? It seems naive to me to say that one or two individuals speak for the entire black community. The white community certianly doesn't speak with one voice, I can't imagine that it's any different in the black or hispanic communities. It's the same thing with the black vote. I can't imagine that the black community is some monolithic group that will all vote for the same person. The media seems to view it that way, but it seems unfair to do that.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

Not to entirely hijack this thread, or anything (I know, too late!), but I think Gator, from Jungle Fever, and Jules Winfield, from Pulp Fiction, were two very awards-worthy performances.

OMG! Jackson wuz robbed by not getting an Oscar for Pulp Fiction! Jules is one of the most amazing characters on screen in this generation.

 

[richiebaseball]

I think it's great when we can all get along

 

[Charade]

Hey, where the white women at?

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

As soon as he gets involved, I tune out. Same with Al Sharpton. The sad thing is their involvement probably turns off a LOT of people from worthy causes and issues.


Should there be more minorities in show business, sure. There should also be more minority coaches in the NFL, NBA and MLB. However, putting anyone in any position only because they fit a profile isn't really a good thing in the long run.

i agree with your whole post.

 

[MrsKreamer]

As a former theatre student at a prodomenatly black popuplated school, I can say that we had a very hard time casting AA students. My theater Director was Black and he wanted to do more AA plays. He just could not get the AA students to even audition. I knew one AA student that was serious about theatre the 3 years I was there.

 

[princesspumpkin]

Ok, I can't defend JJ or AS. But I can talk about people of color in the entertainment business. I have been an actress for over 15 years now. DH is an actor, too. I can say that when we search the audition sites for roles that we (as two black actors) could be eligible for, there are probably less than 10%. For commercials, tv pilots, industrial videos and films, most of the audition notices are for caucasion men, with caucasion women being second. AA men and women are next, and everyone else, well, they bring up the rear. When looking at the roles, I feel that most of them could be played by any race - I wish it would just say "actor or actress" instead of "caucasion male, etc..".
Maybe if there were more people of color in the entertainment business (in front of and behind the camera), it would inspire more children of color to enter those fields.
And lastly, programs and events made specifically for black people were started because we were not represented in great numbers in the other programs. Just like starting Nickelodeon - so every show could be geared towards kids. Just like a woman's network. Hey, just like an animal station
But seriously, if tv shows and movies were cast with 80% people of color, white people would want their "own" stuff too!
JMHO

 

[shortbun]

ITA.

I honestly think that Jesse Jackson makes things worse. I personally tune him out, but I'm sure that there are plenty of people who give what he says credence.

Does racism exist? Absolutely. Is it wrong? Absolutely. Is it the prime reason that many people are under-represented in many fields? Heck no.

While I have grown wary of Jesse Jackson due to his personal problems, I do believe that racism/descrimination IS a prime reason that African Americans are not well represented in the Arts/Cinema and so forth. How can you agree that it exists/agree that it's wrong but deny that it is a major cause of the lack of good jobs and under employment in this industry. Don't bother citing the big stars who are black-that just proves the point, that those black actors are easy to name.

 

[shortbun]

Hey, where the white women at?

That you would trivialize this thread with this kind of comment is outrageous! I have always thought you to be mostly rational in your arguments and I have never seen you show blatant racism until now. Surely THIS post is worth some points-mods? Charade: I am shocked and saddened at your lack of sophistication here, how do you explain this?