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News & ArtsWednesday, December 9, 2009
Film Precious: The Saga Continues (For Another Six Months at Least)
Posted by David Schmader on Wed, Dec 9, 2009 at 11:39 AM
I've been writing about the film Precious since back when it was still called Push, mostly because I read the original novel back in the '90s and couldn't believe someone was trying to turn it into a film, but also because the accumulating buzz had it that director Lee Daniels had created something amazing.
I agree, but I'm also interested in the ongoing anti-Precious backlash, summed up thusly by the New York Press' resident contrarian Armond White:
Not since The Birth of a Nation has a mainstream movie demeaned the idea of black American life as much as Precious. Full of brazenly racist clichés (Precious steals and eats an entire bucket of fried chicken), it is a sociological horror show.
Which brings me to the reason for today's post: a column by the Capitol Hill Times' Charlie James, a veteran African-American community activist and writer, who addresses Precious in the latest installment of his column The Bottom Line:
There is very little that happens in black America that I am unaware of: I see the good and the bad. But I know from personal experience that there are far more black men and women doing positive and uplifting work than there are those who have reached the depths of depravity and despair. That is why I cannot watch movies like Precious (regrettably, I did see The Color Purple) because I know how powerful these shows can be in distorting the truth about what African-American men and families are all about.Yes, there are people like Precious in many African-American communities—unwanted, unloved and abused. But right next door are the same kind, young women with similar problems who receive the love and nurturing they need, but their lives do not make a compelling story like Precious does. I see the same thing in the literary world, where there are a lot of books being printed about abused black women overcoming major obstacles. In almost every account their abuser is their father or another male figure in the family. You will be hard-pressed to find many books about black fathers who fight for and protect his family.
You can read James' full column, which also includes some powerful autobiographical passages, here. For now, I'm all about the Precious, about which James concludes:
Precious' story is a miniscule part of this larger story, and because the other stories are not being shown, her story may come to represent African-American families in the consciousness of those outside the African-American community
Which reminded me of this quote from the New York Times:
Sapphire, the [African-American] author of “Push,” said it was too late in the day to worry that the film’s themes and images were somehow stigmatizing or inauthentic. “With Michelle, Sasha and Malia and Obama in the White House and in the post-‘Cosby Show’ era, people can’t say these are the only images out there,” Sapphire said. “Black people are able to say ‘Precious’ represents some of our children, but some of our children go to Yale.”
I was also reminded of the eloquent screed posted in the comments thread of my original Precious backlash post, from a woman named Stella, which you may read here.
One of Stella's best sentences: "Let art be art." Which is easy enough to say when the art in question doesn't make you feel that your entire race is being demeaned, but still: Any argument about Precious has to make room for acknowledging the achievements of the African-American artists behind the film. Beyond that: Charlie James acknowledges that girls like Precious exist, but seems ready to keep them silent for the greater good. What must it be like to survive something so ugly and damning you're forbidden from even recounting it? Answering that question is one of the many accomplishments of Precious.
1
I don't remember this outcry about Antwone Fisher, a true story about a black kid who had been abused by women.
The Color Purple was also largely based on Alice Walker's own family.
The Color Purple was also largely based on Alice Walker's own family.
2
It seems like a lot of the criticism of "Precious" stems from a fear of what-will-the-white-people-in-Iowa-think-of-us. Yes, for some stupid white people, this movie will perpetuate their own handy stereotypes about black families. But a goodly portion of the audience will know damn well that it's just one story. I'd bet a majority of people who watch it will know that.
So long as black people worry about what white people think of them, they're not going to be focusing on transcending the strictures of racial stereotyping themselves. Going about your business, living your life and being unabashedly who you are speaks volumes. Demanding to be taken seriously by taking yourself seriously, speaking clearly, confidently and without shame is the only effective way to combat racism.
So long as black people worry about what white people think of them, they're not going to be focusing on transcending the strictures of racial stereotyping themselves. Going about your business, living your life and being unabashedly who you are speaks volumes. Demanding to be taken seriously by taking yourself seriously, speaking clearly, confidently and without shame is the only effective way to combat racism.
3
They needn't worry about what "white people in Iowa" will think. Those people aren't going to pay money to see this movie.
4
Dunno. I think it's good for white people to have something to blame crime statistics on besides race itself. The stereotype perpetuated here might actually be an IMPROVEMENT over what many people think.
I know, right?
I know, right?
7
The Liars Club,Bastard Out of Carolina, and Another Bullshit Night in Suck City are three books (two being made into movies) about white people coming from homes that most people would dismiss as white trash. I also remember a white woman who wrote, around the same time that these first two books did, a memoir of having an incetestuous (and no it wasn't Maxine Phillips) relationship with her father when she was in her 20's. A lot of African Americans, like Charles James, don't see that stories that are extreme catch people's attention and this is true when the movies are about white people too. There are a far higher % of movies and books revolving around really, really disturbing families and people than about ones that are normal-this is regardless of race.
8
Combine the thoughts from @2 and @7 and you have the most coherent argument why people freaking out about Precious does more damage to their cause than good.
Last week I came across an episode of Oprah with Chris Rock talking about his movie 'Good Hair'. A black woman in the audience stood up and said basically that he had not right to expose the secrets black women have about their hair because that gives power to the whites. This black woman was always concerned about what the white people in her life thought about her. Next, a white woman spoke about seeing the film and how ignorant she was about what black women go through because she had never thought about it before.
And Charles James is wrong about there not being positive black male role models. Tyler Perry may not produce high art, but he tries to show average black families living in the world that include many upstanding black men. These critics are upset because they still see anything involving black people as a representation of Black People. But I'd say most people under 35 don't see this distinction anymore. We judge people and works on individual merit, not on it's implications for a group of people portrayed in the work.
Last week I came across an episode of Oprah with Chris Rock talking about his movie 'Good Hair'. A black woman in the audience stood up and said basically that he had not right to expose the secrets black women have about their hair because that gives power to the whites. This black woman was always concerned about what the white people in her life thought about her. Next, a white woman spoke about seeing the film and how ignorant she was about what black women go through because she had never thought about it before.
And Charles James is wrong about there not being positive black male role models. Tyler Perry may not produce high art, but he tries to show average black families living in the world that include many upstanding black men. These critics are upset because they still see anything involving black people as a representation of Black People. But I'd say most people under 35 don't see this distinction anymore. We judge people and works on individual merit, not on it's implications for a group of people portrayed in the work.
9
This reminds me of the Harlem Renaissance folks catching a raft of shit after publishing FIRE!!! in the late 20s. "Let art be art" is awesome, and thanks for covering this so well.
10
The African American community knows of the social ills and messed up folks out there. Seems to me that it doesn't need to see this film to figure that out. This just borders on gratuitous entertainment for those that are not of the community. Once you take way all the pseudo intellectual masturbation at display here, its as simple as that. That's why the majority of praises to this has been done either by outsiders (that should be seen as red herring right there) or those who invested on this and now want to cash in. But thankfully most in the black community are taking pass on this. Those outside spectators can keep on enjoying their preconceived notions about black life reflected on this film by tryin to convice themselves with notions of art and all the cockamany they can conjure, till they act out on them. But sound minded black folk ain't wastin their time on this no matter how much approbation you show for it.
11
#7 - "I also remember a white woman who wrote, around the same time that these first two books did, a memoir of having an incetestuous (and no it wasn't Maxine Phillips) relationship with her father when she was in her 20's"
You're thinking of Kathryn Harrison's
"The Kiss"
#7 - "I also remember a white woman who wrote, around the same time that these first two books did, a memoir of having an incetestuous (and no it wasn't Maxine Phillips) relationship with her father when she was in her 20's"
You're thinking of Kathryn Harrison's
"The Kiss"
12
A movie about a few black people is as representative of them as "Dark Knight" is of white people. Anyone who doesn't realize this is retarded.
14
13: Will, did you get hit on the head with a brick this morning? First you respond to a statement no one made, then this. I'm worried.
15
@13: I gotta agree with Schmadercakes on this one. Please enlighten those of us who find the Loveschild sock puppet's comment laughable and a bit sad? How is it right?
@12: You're absolutely correct: Darknight wasn't about white folk, it was about murderous psycho clowns; and in that particular case it was dead on target.
@12: You're absolutely correct: Darknight wasn't about white folk, it was about murderous psycho clowns; and in that particular case it was dead on target.
16
He's pointing out that African Americans don't need to see the film to know what's happening.
Which is something you all missed.
Which is something you all missed.
17
@15: I'm sure you meant to write "Please enlighten those of us who find the Loveschild sock puppet's comment laughable, how is it right?" Right?
19
@16: So amongst that steaming pile of horseshit you found one tiny corn kernel of a perceived truth on which to hang your agreement? Bravo!
21
@10: " (that should be seen as red herring right there) "
A red herring is a distraction. A red flag is a warning sign.
As others have pointed out, we all know there are messed up people in the world. Messed up people of all races. And we like to watch movies and read books about them.
A red herring is a distraction. A red flag is a warning sign.
As others have pointed out, we all know there are messed up people in the world. Messed up people of all races. And we like to watch movies and read books about them.
22
Is a movie like The Great Santini representative of all white fathers everywhere? Is Radio Flyer? Why would one movie be assumed to be representative of all persons in that particular ethnic demographic? That's just silly.
23
Oh waaaa. A movie depicts impoverished black characters? Join the club. Find for me a mainstream movie with a gay main character who is well-adjusted and not:
A)the flamboyant comedy relief.
B)suffering in the closet and/or afflicted with AIDS.
C)about to die tragically.
Good luck.
A)the flamboyant comedy relief.
B)suffering in the closet and/or afflicted with AIDS.
C)about to die tragically.
Good luck.
24
He's pointing out that African Americans don't need to see the film to know what's happening.
Are you really suggesting that every single African-American person is walking around with the knowledge that—SPOILER ALERT—sometimes abused girls grow up to be angry women who force their daughters to go down on them?
If so, you rule.
Also, you seem to think the facts of the plot are all there is to the movie. Again I ask: Is there any room in this (bullshit) argument for acknowledging the artistry of the African-Americans involved in the making of the film? Or is the African-American community born with an inherent knowledge of the talents of Lee Daniels, Mo'Nique, Gabourney Sibide, etc?
25
Wow - thanks for the love, David. I rarely go back to see if there is any response to my response, but I did for your first "Precious" post. I wanted to see the reactioin to what I'd said. I was pleasantly surprised. Amazed really, not only by you, but also other readers. Pity I hadn't checked for typos. I was just so angry that I let it fly. What I find amazing about the critics of works that show African Americans in less than the best light is the fear of what other people will think about us. People who would look at a film like "Precious" and make a judgment that this is what all black families are like are the same people who already hate black people. People who have no opinion about black people until they see this film and come away with the notion that this is all black people behind closed doors, are the kind of people whose opinions wouldn't matter to me if they were the only people on Earth.
I don't feel inferior to anyone on the planet, and I therefore am secure enough in who I am and what I am - and who we are as a people - that I am not frightened by the impression a movie makes. Sometimes black people have the feeling that one of us is all of us. That is part of the joy of Obama's election. It is also part of the despair when the cops who beat Rodney King get acquitted. It is a double edged sword, however. If one of us is all of us, then Precious is all of us, too. Black people don't like to have to claim the worst of us. Those who have overcome don't like the image of the of a Precious to taint the better images we have worked so hard to cultivate. But we can't have it both ways. If we are all Obama, then we are all Precious too.
Who has the right to say whose stories can or can't be told. If we close of the kids like Precious in our midst, then we do the crime of perpetuating the circumstances in which these kids exist. Keeping such circumstances secret from white people don't make the problems go away. We say we don't want our dirty laundry aired in front of white people. But what is closer to the truth is that we don't want to face it. We don't want to see it. We don't want to talk about it. And we certainly don't want to have to come to terms with doing anything about it.
Too many black people want to live in an ivory surburban tower and not have to trouble their minds with those still living in poverty and ignorance. And we still want to put our best faces on when showing ourselves to the Man. Well, we are the Man right now. And given how raised hopes are being dashed day after day, perhaps the Man needs to see "Precious" to remind him of why he was elected and what he should be focusing his energies on and create a tide that will lift all boats.
More...
I don't feel inferior to anyone on the planet, and I therefore am secure enough in who I am and what I am - and who we are as a people - that I am not frightened by the impression a movie makes. Sometimes black people have the feeling that one of us is all of us. That is part of the joy of Obama's election. It is also part of the despair when the cops who beat Rodney King get acquitted. It is a double edged sword, however. If one of us is all of us, then Precious is all of us, too. Black people don't like to have to claim the worst of us. Those who have overcome don't like the image of the of a Precious to taint the better images we have worked so hard to cultivate. But we can't have it both ways. If we are all Obama, then we are all Precious too.
Who has the right to say whose stories can or can't be told. If we close of the kids like Precious in our midst, then we do the crime of perpetuating the circumstances in which these kids exist. Keeping such circumstances secret from white people don't make the problems go away. We say we don't want our dirty laundry aired in front of white people. But what is closer to the truth is that we don't want to face it. We don't want to see it. We don't want to talk about it. And we certainly don't want to have to come to terms with doing anything about it.
Too many black people want to live in an ivory surburban tower and not have to trouble their minds with those still living in poverty and ignorance. And we still want to put our best faces on when showing ourselves to the Man. Well, we are the Man right now. And given how raised hopes are being dashed day after day, perhaps the Man needs to see "Precious" to remind him of why he was elected and what he should be focusing his energies on and create a tide that will lift all boats.
26
@3, don't count those Iowans out yet. Iowa allows gays to marry. Iowa - more progressive than you think!
27
@23 - go rent "The Sum of Us" a good character study of a movie about a father and his gay son...not the best movie, but by far, a GREAT example of well-adjusted, non-comic relief gay lead, who is not in the closet....
Plus, Russel Crowe is in it. 'nuff said.
Plus, Russel Crowe is in it. 'nuff said.
28
"But thankfully most in the black community are taking pass on this"
Why, has "Barber Shop 5" also been released?
Why, has "Barber Shop 5" also been released?
30
I guess I rock just a little bit that I am super white and I can watch a movie about a black girl and not attribute anything to her race or "people". Go me?
31
Sorry for using the same verb right after @30 did, but -- Stella, you ROCK.
@27 - that was exactly the same movie I thought of. Plus, Russell Crowe is young and cute, and you get to see his butt (!!!) for just a second.
@27 - that was exactly the same movie I thought of. Plus, Russell Crowe is young and cute, and you get to see his butt (!!!) for just a second.
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