Came across this, what do you think?
>> December 5, 2006
>>
>>
>>
>> Darryl Matthews, General President
>>
>> Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
>>
>> 2313 St. Paul St. >> >> Baltimore, MD 21218
>>
>>
>>
>> To: Darryl R. Matthews, Sr.
>>
>> General President
>>
>>
>>
>> From: Rob Hardy
>>
>> Executive Producer, Stomp the Yard
>>
>>
>> Re: Stomp the Yard
>>
>>
>> Brother Matthews:
>>
>> What a wonderful Centennial year it has been for our fraternity! Yet as
>> we celebrate this great milestone, I am deeply saddened after reading
>> your November 30th correspondence to the members of Alpha Phi Alpha
>> Fraternity Inc, regarding our motion picture.
>>
>>
>> Stomp the Yard presented us with an opportunity to do something that no
>> film has ever attempted on this level: feature Black Greek Letter
>> Organizations in the most positive of lights, as pillars of economic
>> stability, community service and brother and sisterhood within the
>> community. It is difficult to make ANY movie in Hollywood. You can only
>> imagine how difficult it was to make a film about a young
>> African-American male who finds hope, redemption and becomes a better
>> person through his experiences with a fictitious black fraternity at a
>> Historically Black Institution of Higher Learning. These are not
>> 'commercial' themes by Hollywood standards. These are, however, positive
>> ones that should be embraced and promoted by the African-American
>> community, especially those fortunate enough to understand the benefits
>> of higher education and fraternity life.
>>
>>
>> At no point does our film "juxtapose gang activity and Black Greek life".
>> What this film does is illustrate how lives can be enhanced by the
>> experience of college life.
>>
>>
>> It is troubling to me that at a time when we as a people face the reality
>> of inexplicable police slayings in New York, vile racist rants in LA and
>> many other social, economic and political issues around the country -
>> that you would choose this movie as a cause to unify and call to action
>> the fraternity's membership (as well as that of other Black Greek letter
>> organizations). The fact that you've taken this stance without responding
>> to my repeated attempts at contact and without having seen the film first
>> is disconcerting. In fact, you were one of the first people I attempted
>> to contact when we finally were given the green light to make Stomp the
>> Yard. Yet those attempts to reach you went unanswered. After sending
>> materials and conversing with your Executive Director, an in-person
>> meeting was finally set for us to discuss Alpha's support for the movie.
>> Neither you nor your Executive Director showed up at the meeting or had
>> the courtesy to provide an explanation or reschedule. The first
>> correspondence I received from you was the "call to action" you sent to
>> the entire brotherhood.
>>
>>
>> Our goal for this film is simply to make college life seem accessible to
>> all. In a society where the value and relevance of Black
>> Colleges/Universities, and Black Greek letter organizations are under
>> increased attack, the mainstream circulation of the types of images in
>> our film can renew interest among our youth.
>>
>>
>> One of the most encouraging things I overheard someone say after an
>> advance screening of Stomp The Yard was the fact that "they thought it
>> was just a dance movie" but after seeing it, it underscored the fact that
>> they wished "they could've pursued higher education, and that every young
>> black kid should see this movie."
>>
>>
>> At Rainforest, we share your vision of protecting the legacy and
>> promoting the future of our great fraternity. Stomp the Yard is a part of
>> that vision. We have done nothing illegal. Everything we have done was
>> within our legal rights as filmmakers. We did not disparage or tarnish
>> the images or logos of ours or any other organization. The inclusion of
>> real life members of Greek Letter organizations was a genuine attempt to
>> highlight these great organizations to a generation that questions the
>> relevancy of their very existence. It's unfortunate that Alpha feels the
>> need to urge other Alphas to not support a film made by Alphas. I wish
>> that we'd had the opportunity to sit down and settle this matter as
>> Brothers instead of having your lawyers attack myself, my partner, my
>> company and my film.
>>
>>
>> I am a proud 13-year brother of Alpha who has given much of my adult life
>> to upholding the aims of the fraternity. You and I have had a personal
>> relationship for over ten years. Our first film Chocolate City (which
>> also featured fraternity members) was screened, per your invitation, at
>> the 1995 Alpha Phi Alpha General Convention when you were the Executive
>> Director. Based on your appreciation for our work you personally
>> employed our company Rainforest Films, to create the Official video for
>> the fraternity the following year. While President of my college Chapter
>> (Beta Nu, Florida A&M University), we were selected as the Outstanding
>> College Chapter of the Year (1996) for all of Alpha, an award we earned
>> with your support. Further, my producing partner (and line brother) Will
>> Packer was District "College Brother of the Year" in 1996. As recently
>> as last month Will and I were selected to receive the Metro Atlanta
>> Centennial Award of Excellence as part of the Alpha Centennial
>> celebration in Atlanta. We have spent the last 10 years of our lives
>> upholding the light in an extremely difficult and challenging industry.
>> Alpha prepared us for many of the obstacles that we have had to overcome
>> in our path. We would never, ever do anything to tarnish the good name
>> of our beloved fraternity.
>>
>>
>> Film is one of the most powerful mediums in contemporary society. It
>> allows us to capture the attention of various generations of viewers at a
>> single moment in time. What better way to introduce and educate others
>> about the benefits of higher education than a film such as this. Although
>> we may differ in our methods for reaching our youth, I hope that you will
>> at some point take the opportunity to see the film and the spirit in
>> which it was made, before passing additional negative judgment. As we
>> work to move beyond this issue I look forward to a day when we can
>> galvanize the collective brotherhood, with a call to action that will
>> help push a social, economic or political agenda to better our entire
>> community. I will be the first person to help spread that message and
>> lead the charge.
>>
>>
>> Fraternally Yours,
>>
>> Rob Hardy
>>
www.stomptheyard.com
Threaded Mode
