"Years ago, Hollywood had standards, which they hated. And then Hollywood decided to eliminate standards in the name of 'artistic freedom.' Have movies gotten better? Not really."
If you're a POC, you may or not agree with that statement in terms of Hollywood's treatment of POC, however, Reyes has a point. As writer John Farr states:
"...though in revenue and distribution terms Hollywood continues to dominate the global film market, the most original, intelligent, and enduring movies today are being made outside this country.
"...As a consequence, they are working that much harder to keep our offspring hooked on a steady stream of comic book and computer game adaptations, brought to the big screen with lots of quick cuts, deafening noise, and whiz-bang special effects."
How so not fortuitous is it then, that POC are starting to appear increasingly (not that much, not very well, and not demographically accurate...so don't get excited) in an age where film quality has tanked? And whom do you think will be blamed for the demise in film quality (since according to Farr, the Golden Age in Hollywood was from 1930-1960....a notably unfriendly period for POC, mind you)?
I hate to go all retro on you guys, but...it's time for some old-fashioned, consistent, no-nonsense boycotting.
But Ankhesen, I don't see how a simply not paying for the products will help.
Tell that to the music industry.
In the meantime, Hollywood has made it clear that it's all about the money and not about the the substance. So...don't give it your money. You don't have to see a film opening night. You can check IMDB to find out who's in the film first. If there aren't a significant number of POC in the main cast, just pass. If there are, wait and read multiple reviews to find out how they're written before you run off and give Hollywood your money. Inform your friends and relatives of color around the world about dodging a film which misrepresents any POC. Explain to your more prejudiced relatives--and we've all got a few--that POC will not see progress if we don't stick together on these matters.
But Ankhesen, I have mostly white friends/a white significant other. How do I explain why I won't go see a film with them?
That's easy: you don't. If these people who supposedly care about you don't already understand, then they're actually part of your problem. True friends try to understand each others' reality, not just stick to whichever version's more comfortable and convenient for them.
But Ankhesen, my friends already agree the plot is bullshit, and that the casting is racist--they just want to kick back and enjoy the music/clothing/special effects/dance routines!
Don't fall for the "Avatar Defense"--all it does is make you shut up and tolerate an "-ism" which devalues you...but not your white friends for some cosmic reason. Anyone pulling this on you is not a good friend. This is a person who's deliberately ignoring your reality as a person of color and derailing your social concerns, once again, for their own comfort and convenience.
And don't swallow the "Oh...I didn't know" milksop either--ignorance is no excuse, and no, it's not your job to educate them.
But Ankhesen, what about my kids? Aren't they too young to learn about race? Should I boycott things for them as well?
Ah, the Princess & Frog Defense...how lovely to see you!
Not.
Kids are too young to learn about race? Tell that to all the children of color right now who--by the ages of 4,5, and 6--have already heard something snarky from their white classmates about their hair, skin, eye shape, nose shape, lip shape, or accent--and whatever other fucked up shit "Mommy/Daddy says".
A critic wryly queried about Princess Tiana's transformation into a frog, "Is it possible the filmmakers — even if unconsciously — were worried that white adult ticket-buyers were more likely to take their kids to a movie about a frog than to one about a black girl?"
(By the way, read the first comment on this review of Princess & the Frog. 1) Notice the idiot author writes: "You don't see this sort of issue from Natives or Asians", and 2) note all the derailing from other commenters).
But Ankhesen, what about actors of color? How do we support them if we're boycotting films where they're the token POC or are overall negatively portrayed?
If they're the token or they're negatively portrayed, then they're not in the movie for our benefit. And if their portrayal is not to our benefit, then we don't owe them a goddamn thing. Granted, we should encourage POC actors to portray homosexuals or be a part of healthy, balanced, interracial couples (not just BM/WW or WM/AW--heaven knows those combos have already been overdone). However, if they can't find such roles our actors have two options:
1) Take whatever roles they can get and make whatever money they can without our financial and moral support.
2) Try to express themselves through alternate forms of art--plays, musicals, literature, spoken word, painting, sculpting, dance, etc.--where they can work with like-minded artists, have more say over creative content, and connect with their audiences more closely.
But Ankhesen, what if Hollywood starts making films which properly portray multiple POC in the casts and White America won't go to see them?
Like, I said, Hollywood's after a "real money" audience, i.e. a worldwide audience.
Guess who makes up most of the world?
I hate to go all retro on you guys, but...it's time for some old-fashioned, consistent, no-nonsense boycotting.
But Ankhesen, I don't see how a simply not paying for the products will help.
Tell that to the music industry.
In the meantime, Hollywood has made it clear that it's all about the money and not about the the substance. So...don't give it your money. You don't have to see a film opening night. You can check IMDB to find out who's in the film first. If there aren't a significant number of POC in the main cast, just pass. If there are, wait and read multiple reviews to find out how they're written before you run off and give Hollywood your money. Inform your friends and relatives of color around the world about dodging a film which misrepresents any POC. Explain to your more prejudiced relatives--and we've all got a few--that POC will not see progress if we don't stick together on these matters.
But Ankhesen, I have mostly white friends/a white significant other. How do I explain why I won't go see a film with them?
That's easy: you don't. If these people who supposedly care about you don't already understand, then they're actually part of your problem. True friends try to understand each others' reality, not just stick to whichever version's more comfortable and convenient for them.
But Ankhesen, my friends already agree the plot is bullshit, and that the casting is racist--they just want to kick back and enjoy the music/clothing/special effects/dance routines!
Don't fall for the "Avatar Defense"--all it does is make you shut up and tolerate an "-ism" which devalues you...but not your white friends for some cosmic reason. Anyone pulling this on you is not a good friend. This is a person who's deliberately ignoring your reality as a person of color and derailing your social concerns, once again, for their own comfort and convenience.
And don't swallow the "Oh...I didn't know" milksop either--ignorance is no excuse, and no, it's not your job to educate them.
But Ankhesen, what about my kids? Aren't they too young to learn about race? Should I boycott things for them as well?
Ah, the Princess & Frog Defense...how lovely to see you!
Not.
Kids are too young to learn about race? Tell that to all the children of color right now who--by the ages of 4,5, and 6--have already heard something snarky from their white classmates about their hair, skin, eye shape, nose shape, lip shape, or accent--and whatever other fucked up shit "Mommy/Daddy says".
A critic wryly queried about Princess Tiana's transformation into a frog, "Is it possible the filmmakers — even if unconsciously — were worried that white adult ticket-buyers were more likely to take their kids to a movie about a frog than to one about a black girl?"
(By the way, read the first comment on this review of Princess & the Frog. 1) Notice the idiot author writes: "You don't see this sort of issue from Natives or Asians", and 2) note all the derailing from other commenters).
But Ankhesen, what about actors of color? How do we support them if we're boycotting films where they're the token POC or are overall negatively portrayed?
If they're the token or they're negatively portrayed, then they're not in the movie for our benefit. And if their portrayal is not to our benefit, then we don't owe them a goddamn thing. Granted, we should encourage POC actors to portray homosexuals or be a part of healthy, balanced, interracial couples (not just BM/WW or WM/AW--heaven knows those combos have already been overdone). However, if they can't find such roles our actors have two options:
1) Take whatever roles they can get and make whatever money they can without our financial and moral support.
2) Try to express themselves through alternate forms of art--plays, musicals, literature, spoken word, painting, sculpting, dance, etc.--where they can work with like-minded artists, have more say over creative content, and connect with their audiences more closely.
But Ankhesen, what if Hollywood starts making films which properly portray multiple POC in the casts and White America won't go to see them?
Like, I said, Hollywood's after a "real money" audience, i.e. a worldwide audience.
Guess who makes up most of the world?
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