Roger Ebert Is Not Qualified To Review Movies About Black People!
Haasim Mahanaim explains the idiocy:
Some weeks ago, I had attempted to watch the trailer for The Diaries of a Mad Black Woman, but I quickly got the impression that it would be a rambling, disjointed, self-important mess. Roger Ebert (and many other critics) agreed. But it would seem that his opinion in this instance is all but worthless because he is white and this film is about “black people” therefore he is incapable of properly assessing the merits of this film–unless he loved it, which he did not. Even though he has given ecstatic reviews for: Boys N’ The Hood, Malcolm X, and more recently Ray and Hotel Rwanda.It saddens me that Mr. Ebert has been inundated with letters from Angry Black People™ claiming that he is a racist for having an opinion that differs from a target audience that made “black movies” a genre unto itself providing plenty of prime time fodder for the B.E.T. network.
After re-visiting his official website, a page containing a sampling of angry (and some positive) letters is suspiciously inaccessible. So I’ll paraphrase one of the standout comments from memory.
“When I watch white people movies, I see a bunch of white people acting like white people and I don’t get. I want to see movies about my people.”Though, there were some African Americans who were just as disgusted as I, and they made sure to send some words of encouragement to Mr. Ebert in his defense.
A day after the Academy Awards, Ebert was a guest on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and noted that two African Americans won Oscars for best supporting actor and best actor; Leno added: “So why should that matter?” To which Ebert responded, “‘Exactly,’ had this happened ten years ago, this would have been a big deal, but last night it was just a perfectly normal thing to happen. We’ve really come a long way.”
There you have it folks, the words of an unabashed racist.
Roger Ebert's mail page is working now. There are a few intelligent commenters. And then there are the commenters like this idiot:
I just wanted to educate you on the man Tyler Perry. Mr. Perry has been around for a long time. It's no one's fault that you feel like you can't have an open mind about different things such as Black plays and movie. Mr. Perry has written and directed many plays and all have been successful, including the new installment "Madea Goes to Jail" that will make millions. Mr. Perry teaches you about life in a way everybody can relate. So before you try to criticize all his hard work, why don't you try attending one of his plays. In case you don't know "Madea Goes to Jail" starts March 8th at the Arie Crown Theatre. If you're not scared of all us black folks.Stefanie Kellom
Chicago, IL
I don't know about you, but I'm terrified of stupid people, regardless of their race, creed, color, or sexual orientation. Does that make me...stupidist?
"I want to see movies about my people.”
May I recommend "Black Dick on Duty"?
Lena at May 13, 2005 2:34 AM
What the hell is "my people" anyway?
I think Amy is an Intelligist.
Deirdre B. at May 13, 2005 3:40 AM
Lena- is that the sequel to "Shaft"?
eric at May 13, 2005 8:09 AM
I loved Diary of a Mad Black Woman, but I haven't liked any of the Spike Lee movies. I think Tyler Perry is brilliant.
Ebert is just an honest critic. I disagree with him a lot, but I most certainly do *not* take it personally...
Goddyss at May 13, 2005 9:47 AM
So, even though Ebert's totally right and the author admits as such, he can't state his opinion on a Black movie unless its favorable? Because he thinks the Academy no longer sees color, only acting quality he's an unabashed racist?
Amy tell me this article is written as a satire.
Little ted at May 13, 2005 11:35 AM
Ebert's wife is black. What a racist, stealin' the sista away from the brothers.
I got letters over Diary of a Mad Black Woman too. The movie's a mess, but all the letters I got contained the phrase "Don't hate the player, hate the game."
LYT at May 13, 2005 12:45 PM
Is that from the film?
Cridland at May 13, 2005 4:35 PM
You mean "Don't hate the player, hate the game"?
No, it's not in the film. But it's a common phrase among rappers (though there's no rap in the film either).
LYT at May 13, 2005 7:03 PM
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