Stomp the Yard

[unspokenone25]

Originally Posted by LoisLane

Quote "Please know that Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. does not endorse the film Stomp the Yard. The Fraternity prefers not to be associated with a movie that juxtaposes gang activity with that of black Greek life."
SC
My argument poses this question--How do you as a national organization, rally support from the community based on POTENTIALLY unfounded claims? You have a responsibility to do your homework. This movie could exhibit a very positive, uplifting and accurate representation of Greek life. According to the letter Rob Hardy wrote, the producer's attempted to screen the movie for the members of the national body, why would they refuse to see it? The whole juxtaposition statement feels like a diversion to mask the fraternity's monetary intentions and ambitions. It makes me question why the fraternity felt the need to be misleading in order to garner support. If the fraternity came out and made a statement saying we want to milk Sony and the producers of this film for cash, would you still boycott this film? I wouldn't, but at least I could respect their honesty.
At the end of the day, if Sony does deliver the cash to the fraternity, everybody will get another memo instructing the Greek community and adjacent to support the film!

Hey LoisLane...how about you stay in your lane? Just a suggestion.

[PhDiva]

The premise of the film is that fraternities are RECRUITING some dude because he can dance and they want him to win the upcoming stepshow.

ACCURACY already went flying out the window, so it is no surprise to me that A Phi A wants nothing to do with this film.

Good point, LovelyIvy84. Additionally, all one has to do is to look at the trailer for the film and see how the main character comes out of a "gang culture" into fraternity life. Real or imagined, many people have a similar perception of Black Greek Life - like fraternities and sororities are legalized gangs. I would guess that no BGLO wants a film utilizing their symbols to be associated with anything that could potentially reinforce this negative perception.

Now, maybe I'm just getting old and conservative, but where is the balance? Drumline and Stomp The Yard even School Daze focused on the more "entertaining" aspects of Black college life but can we see somebody going to class, studying, or even graduating from college? I call this the "BET effect" - ever since BET went to Viacom, all of the educational and informative shows have been replaced with a Black man self-destructing (DMX: Soul of a Man), dysfunctional Black couples (The Christies), more of the same tired music videos being repeated over and over again and re-runs of The Wayans' Brothers. Where is the substance? Where are the inspiring stories and news about what's happening in our communities...I wonder if films like Stomp the Yard will further contribute to the stereotype that all Black folks are good for is tap dancing, cooning and showin' all our teefs. I know entertaining sells but we need some balance.

PhDiva

[LoisLane]

Unspoken, that was cute and kinda funny. LoisLane...stay in your lane! But no one is answering the million dollar question. If the fraternity had come out and said we want a pay day, would you you still boycott this film? This lawsuit just ensures that the next time black filmmakers go to a studio with a script that involves BGLO's or similar story lines that the door will be shut in their face. And I'm not okay with that.

I saw a prelim screening of the movie. Do I believe that this film is the authority on BGLO's? NO, NO AND NO! Do I believe that this film disrupts or negatively impacts the image of BGLO's? NO! The fraternity (APA) has great power and resources. I just don't believe this film is the enemy.

[Luckie1922]

I will wait on the DVD, $1.00 Redbox rental

[SummerChild]

Um, I just watched a trailer at http://movies2.nytimes.com/gst/movie...ml?v_id=358333

and all of the guys in black (or brown, can't tell) are in Theta Nu Theta (or something - couldn't tell) letters BUT IT APPEARS THAT THE SOME OF THE WOMEN WEARING COLORS THAT APPEAR TO BE RED AND WHITE ARE WEARING DELTA SIGMA THETA LETTERS AND NEAR THE END, THERE IS SHOWN A PICTURE OF WOMEN OF DELTA SIGMA THETA THROWING UP THE HANDSIGN.

This is just ridiculous. What are the writers doing?

SC

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by LoisLane

This lawsuit just ensures that the next time black filmmakers go to a studio with a script that involves BGLO's or similar story lines that the door will be shut in their face.

No.

But what do I know, I don't have a psychic friend like you apparently do.

Originally Posted by LoisLane

I just don't believe this film is the enemy.

Damn! Just when we were about to put this film on the FBI list of terrorists.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by SummerChild

BUT IT APPEARS THAT THE SOME OF THE WOMEN WEARING COLORS THAT APPEAR TO BE RED AND WHITE ARE WEARING DELTA SIGMA THETA LETTERS AND NEAR THE END, THERE IS SHOWN A PICTURE OF WOMEN OF DELTA SIGMA THETA THROWING UP THE HANDSIGN.

Correct. That is an actual Delta chapter because there was actually a stepshow competition.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by PhDiva

Good point, LovelyIvy84. Additionally, all one has to do is to look at the trailer for the film and see how the main character comes out of a "gang culture" into fraternity life. Real or imagined, many people have a similar perception of Black Greek Life - like fraternities and sororities are legalized gangs. I would guess that no BGLO wants a film utilizing their symbols to be associated with anything that could potentially reinforce this negative perception.

A lot of BGLO members used to be in gangs. Some still are. That's life.

I don't see how this film would reinforce an image of Greeks as legalized gangs or sway potential members. I think political parties are legalized gangs but that hasn't stopped folks from affiliating.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by PinkPop

I don't know what you meant by this statement but as a avid film goer I know that Animal House began the careers of Belushi and Landis, both who went on to make classic movies that millions of people have enjoyed and will continue to enjoy for years to come including Blues Brothers, Thriller, Coming to America, An America Werewolf in Paris, etc... may not be your kind of movies but I for one appreciate their cinematic contributions.

My taste in movies is a little more discerning about what are considered classics. But then it could just be a generation gap.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

IWhich comes to my second part, most the old head's HATE stepping... Some hate it with a passion.

That may be the situation in Alpha, but in my experience that is not an overeaching sentiment. My mother until she died at 84 always bought tickets to the step shows at our conventions and conferences. She and the rest of the "Delta Dears" clamored for the best seats, because they loved the step shows.

As an old head myself, I too, enjoy the shows. What I don't like are obscenity and sororities acting like frats, but that's a whole 'nother issue.

As for this issue. Again the fundamental issue is trademark infringement and folx feeling as if they can just represent our orgs without properapprovals. That to me is a no brainer. If you aren't willing to go through the proper channels, what are you hiding about the end product?

And again, if you really just wanted to make a point with the movie why not just fictionalize the names?

[SummerChild]

Hi DSTChaos, Oh ok. I posted that b/c I did not know if your organization was ok with being featured in the movie and no one had mentioned it so I was surprised when I saw it and thought I'd like to let someone know.

SC

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

Correct. That is an actual Delta chapter because there was actually a stepshow competition.

[mccoyred]

Despite all the brew-ha-ha, I am going to see the movie and take my two boys as well. I have been trying to introduce them to fraternities early so that they will consider joining when they go to college. I think that this movie is an opportunity to educate the next generation about what is good and bad in BGLOs.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by SummerChild

Hi DSTChaos, Oh ok. I posted that b/c I did not know if your organization was ok with being featured in the movie and no one had mentioned it so I was surprised when I saw it and thought I'd like to let someone know.

SC

I don't know the logistics behind their appearance in it and haven't heard anything from NHQ regarding it.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by mccoyred

Despite all the brew-ha-ha, I am going to see the movie and take my two boys as well. I have been trying to introduce them to fraternities early so that they will consider joining when they go to college. I think that this movie is an opportunity to educate the next generation about what is good and bad in BGLOs.

Soror, check your PM.

[PinkPop]

Originally Posted by PhDiva

Now, maybe I'm just getting old and conservative, but where is the balance? Drumline and Stomp The Yard even School Daze focused on the more "entertaining" aspects of Black college life but can we see somebody going to class, studying, or even graduating from college?
PhDiva

Akeelah and the Bee, domestic gross = $18,848,430
Drumline, domestic gross = $56,399,184

So basically filmmakers can make movies all day long about blacks going to class, studying and graduating but it's not their fault people aren't going out to see them. Instead of blaming filmmakers for the lack of depth in movies one should really be blaming their peers for not supporting the movies that do dig a little deeper.

And on that note, I'm a firm believer that movies should entertain and not be responsible for educating people. It's fiction, a chance to escape reality for a few hours. If you look at the top grossing movies of all time, not one of them mirror real-life... Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Star Trek, Shrek, Finding Nemo, etc... People clearly want to see movies that are far removed from real-life so I never understood why many people feel black movies are supposed to be some kind of education tool.