NAACP Image Awards picks are well, puzzling
CVK
Okay I’m sorry but I really have to say something here. What on earth is the NAACP thinking with its Image Awards? They just announced their nominees and who’s up for Outstanding Motion Picture?
Coach Carter
Crash
Diary of a Mad Black Woman
Hitch
Hustle & Flow
It gets better. Guess who’s going to receive “The Trailblazer Award?” That’s an award that is presented to “an individual who has made their mark in the entertainment industry, therefore, paving the way for others to follow.”
Tyler Perry. Yes, the genius behind “Diary of a Mad Black Woman” and all those other plays and movies that have helped bring minstrelsy back into the mainstream. Why not just give Flava Flav a lifetime achievement award? Or perhaps at next year’s awards, Martin Lawrence will lead the pack with 20 nominations for the upcoming “Big Momma’s House 2″? I should look back at their archives and see if they hailed “Soul Plane” as an excellent film–it had a lot of black people in it, after all!
I mean really. We need to start thinking more critically about what kinds of representations we’re putting out there. It’s not good enough for people of color to just be present. If they’re playing mammys and buffoons and magic negros and all those other awful stereotypes I ranted about in episode 8 of Addicted to Race, that’s not progress! Those representations should not be encouraged with awards! By a CIVIL RIGHTS organization that supposedly speaks for the African-American community, no less! This is really, really mortifying.
jb wrote:
amen!
Posted 23 Jan 2006 at 12:22 pm ¶
MT wrote:
What do you expect from the NAACP…they haven’t been a relevant or worthwhile organization for decades. They forgot their purpose in their self-importance. Forgot the common man and woman…in scandals. Thurgood Marshall must be spinning in his grave!
Posted 23 Jan 2006 at 4:47 pm ¶
kp wrote:
I believe he is receiving the award for his ability to finance his films, get distribution and make $$ while also writing, directing and acting. In that sense he is a trailblazer and an important contribution to people of color’s ability to finance and distribute films - whether or not the content is appreciated on the subjective level. Just my humble opinion, of course.
Posted 23 Jan 2006 at 5:53 pm ¶
Merq wrote:
I know. I gave up on the NAACP Image awards when they gave one to Mo’Nique.
Posted 23 Jan 2006 at 6:38 pm ¶
JarvisR wrote:
Monday, Jan. 23 at 8/7c
“Wiggins/Felix”
In the most explosive Wife Swap ever, an African-American mother who believes in extreme cleanliness, order and lots of discipline swaps lives with a Caucasian mother who gives her kids free rein and whose husband uses racist language.
fighting on swap tonight.
Posted 23 Jan 2006 at 7:02 pm ¶
Dave wrote:
I’m sure there were better, although maybe less commercial, movies made by folks of african descent this year. In the actor category, I hope that two fine actors who are in my opinion mulattos, Jeffrey Wright and Terrence Howard get recognition for their work in 2006: Wright for Syriana, and Howard for Crash.
You can read more discussions about mulattos in the media at
http://www.mulatto.org
an active website and discussion board for people mixed with european and african, black and white, with over 75 members.
Posted 23 Jan 2006 at 7:05 pm ¶
eric wrote:
Regarding Tyler Perry, I have to agree with kp. His films don’t really engage me personally, but I do respect his drive and determination, and also the fact he writes plays and is working in a medium that aside from a niche chitlin circuit, doesn’t have much bandwidth in terms of $$$ rewards and recognition. (usually :))
That said, I COMPLETELY agree regarding the movies for most outstanding picture, but sadly, I can’t say I’m at all shocked or surprised.
Posted 23 Jan 2006 at 8:03 pm ¶
jb wrote:
I agree with kp. Tyler Perry has been reaching audiences with his stage shows long before they were motion pictures and his ability to wear so many hats (and wear them well) in the inherently racist instition of Hollywood IS pretty amazing.
Posted 23 Jan 2006 at 8:06 pm ¶
the joy princess wrote:
What’s really puzzling is why Antonio Sabato, Jr is nominated! I get why George Lopez is but not necessarily Ziyi Zhang, although props for the off kilter inclusiveness, I suppose. Worse still though — in the Outstanding Literary Work category, Zane and Eric Jerome Dickey are competing with Octavia Butler and Walter Moseley. Even Macy Gray has been nominated for Lackawanna Blues!!! It’s a hot mess, as usual
@kp: excellent point
Posted 23 Jan 2006 at 9:15 pm ¶
Mark wrote:
I wonder if that stereotyping atrocity Higher Learning won the NAACP award for portraying white cops as racists who would rather wrestle a black guy then some nut on a shooting rampage.
Posted 25 Jan 2006 at 10:46 am ¶
sandra calhoune wrote:
Antonio Sabato Jr. is Italian. To my knowledge he is not at all African American or Hispanic. What is going on with these nominations. I bet even he’s surprised by the nomination.
Posted 13 Feb 2006 at 1:43 pm ¶