There Is More To Our Story Than Madea Could Ever Tell...

I took another look at the ongoing debate between Spike Lee and Tyler Perry and I would say that I am leaning more toward the understanding of Spike Lee in this matter.  Although I applaud the antics and accomplishments of Tyler Perry, I do believe that he now has a responsibility to "do more" and use his position in the media and entertainment community to offer growth and understanding to his community.

 

I feel that Spike Lee's approach proves him to be a much better writer/producer than he is an orator.  His characters cause us to look inside ourselves and "do the right thing".  I actually  understand what he was trying to say to Tyler Perry but, I do not think he was able to verbalize himself properly.  In essence, I believe Lee was challenging Perry to produce more than comedies because very few people of color have been capable of achieving his level oof success in Hollywood.  And now, whether he wants to accept it or not, Perry has a responsibility to tell more of our story...

When Madea is on stage, it lessens the impact of a serious message that needs to be scrutinized within our culture.  Madea is a very real woman in many of our lives.  I know of aunts, cousins, mothers, and grandmothers who act just as she does, but we need to begin to transcend comedy and look seriously at the issues which plague our communities.

When Kimberly Elise was thrown out of her home by a cheating husband in "Diary of A Mad Black Woman", the platform was available to discuss infidelity, family values, spousal abuse and so much more.  Yet, we chose to laugh at the man in a dress who brandished an electric chainsaw looking for "half of what she deserves".  When Keshia Knight Pulliam was raped twice in "Madea Goes To Jail", we ignored her cries and, instead, laughed at the man in a dress who fought off unwanted sexual advances in a prison laundry room. Because of foolishness-over-principle, we are being taught to laugh at the wrong things and never learn to approach issues that could be resolved if we were more responsible.

As a responsible part of the media, all film producers should learn to escape their comfort zone and offer enlightenment instead of repeat performances of the same stereotypes that have been thrown at us.  How can we begin to demand equal representation on film if we depict ourselves as the butt of every joke?  If Mr. Perry is unwilling to create more positive role models on the same stage, then Mr. Lee was simply challenging him to work with writers who are capable of offering a well-rounded picture of our dynamic and beautiful culture.

My personal belief is that Madea (as we know her) should have been left on stage or in a situation comedy.  The movies offer a mixed message because the serious undertone is lost by the antics of the character.  Imagine the impact that these same movies would have had if someone like Jenifer Lewis (made to look slightly older) delivered the same lines.  Because she IS a real woman, her delivery of those same lines would resonate with countless family matriarchs and still not undermine the sincere tone of the script.

Again, I applaud the comedic gesture of the stage plays which fed the minds of 500 to 800 people at a time, but when the transition was made to the silver screen, I believe there is a greater responsibility to relay positive images of our culture to the thousands who are touched by these actors words and actions.

In addition, when we look at the outstanding careers of the actors who have lent their talents to the screen of some of the Tyler Perry films, we see missed opportunities for them to be recognized as contenders in Hollywood. Seriously, when an actor's dramatic interpretations are overshadowed by a comedic role, the actor, then, misses out on the acclaim that they brought to the film.  Jill Scott had a groundbreaking role in "Why Did I Get Married" and should have received an award for her ability to carry that role as well as she did.  Had it not been slated as a comedy (because major comedic characters were cast alongside her), then she may have had other roles sent her way.

Many award winning actors like Angela Bassett, Cicely Tyson, Alfre Woodard, and Taraji P. Henson's roles cause their professional resumes to be ridiculed as they continue to align themselves with secular roles that carry no weight in Hollywood.  Yes, they are getting a paycheck, but their careers (and opportunity to be seen as true actors) suffer because they are continually upstaged by the one-dimensional character known lovingly as Madea.  The next time you go to one of Tyler Perry's films, you will see that there seems to be two very different movies going on at once; a comedy centered around Madea and a drama centered around the real actors on film.  This duality confuses Hollywood and, sadly, predetermines the fate of the film.

This year, we have seen a handful of actors of color take home SAG Awards based on their performance on film; yet, we know that they are but a small portion of actors who deserve recognition.  Spike Lee hints toward the fact that, through Tyler Perry Studios, we finally have a platform where our actors can be taken seriously, but only if they are willing to play minor roles opposite one of the many characters that Tyler Perry envisions himself as being.    In short, I believe that Spike Lee is simply saying, "If you are going to cast award winning actors, please give them AWARD WINNING roles; not punchlines and stereotypical anecdotes!"

Why would George Lucas be the first to risk a fortune by telling the story of "Red Tails" instead of the most prominent black film writer/producer in America?  If Tyler Perry  is unwilling to leave his comedic background, then why can't studio space be offered to others like Denzel Washington, John Singleton or even Spike Lee in order to create the films that still need to be told?  Yes, just as Biggie said, "...more money, more problems".  But, he said this because the wealthier you become, the more responsible you be come also.  I know that there is more to my family than single mothers, abandoned children, drug problems, spousal abuse, loud talking characters and poorly dressed uncles. If you are going to tell my story, it is "ok" to include those things, but don't let them ALWAYS take center stage...

But, alas, I digress... I realize this is only ONE Man's Opinion.... What is yours?