Stomp the Yard

[AKA2D '91]

December 20, 2006



To Whom It May Concern:



Previously, I disseminated a written notice of the Fraternity's objection to references to the Fraternity in the film "Stomp the Yard." The Fraternity made its concerns known to Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc., Screen Gems, Inc. and Rainforest Pictures. After several weeks of meaningful and productive discussions with the executive leadership of Sony and Screen Gems, the film has been revised to the satisfaction of the Fraternity. Sony and Screen Gems have also agreed to make a donation to the MLK Memorial Foundation.



The Fraternity raised its objections to the Film without regard to financial remuneration, but to protect its history and its legacy. The removal of all references, in the film, to the Fraternity is based in part on the fraternity's leadership insisting that we observe our written policies and internal protocols' regarding the commercial use of our symbols and marks.



Sony's decision to make a donation to the Washington DC MLK, Jr. Memorial Foundation Project, Inc., is very much appreciated, and helps to secure, in history, the legacy of our brother, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and helps to celebrate his selfless contributions to the fabric of America and the world. The construction of this memorial on the national mall is the only one dedicated to an African-American.



(Signature would not copy...fyi)

Darryl R. Matthews, Sr.

General President

[mccoyred]

Originally Posted by AKA2D '91

December 20, 2006



To Whom It May Concern:



Previously, I disseminated a written notice of the Fraternity's objection to references to the Fraternity in the film "Stomp the Yard." The Fraternity made its concerns known to Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc., Screen Gems, Inc. and Rainforest Pictures. After several weeks of meaningful and productive discussions with the executive leadership of Sony and Screen Gems, the film has been revised to the satisfaction of the Fraternity. Sony and Screen Gems have also agreed to make a donation to the MLK Memorial Foundation.



The Fraternity raised its objections to the Film without regard to financial remuneration, but to protect its history and its legacy. The removal of all references, in the film, to the Fraternity is based in part on the fraternity's leadership insisting that we observe our written policies and internal protocols' regarding the commercial use of our symbols and marks.



Sony's decision to make a donation to the Washington DC MLK, Jr. Memorial Foundation Project, Inc., is very much appreciated, and helps to secure, in history, the legacy of our brother, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and helps to celebrate his selfless contributions to the fabric of America and the world. The construction of this memorial on the national mall is the only one dedicated to an African-American.



(Signature would not copy...fyi)

Darryl R. Matthews, Sr.

General President

Sorry but the motivation seems monetary to me...

[SummerChild]

Well, I may not be grasping the full picture but I understand them to be saying that they demanded that the symbols, etc. be removed and it seems that they are saying that they were. That does not appear monetary to me but moreso a protection of their name. In my earlier post, I noted that the guys were wearing other non-Alpha Phi Alpha letters so maybe this was a trailer done after the revision.

All that money and frustration. The silly, very silly, filmakers could have simply *started with* different letters to begin with. What a waste of time and money.

ETA: I just saw the full trailer when I went to see "The Pursuit of Happyness" and Alpha Phi Alpha para and folk wearing it was all in the movie ... still. Oh well, I'm sure they got it.

Originally Posted by mccoyred

Sorry but the motivation seems monetary to me...

[southernelle25]

Originally Posted by SummerChild

Well, I may not be grasping the full picture but I understand them to be saying that they demanded that the symbols, etc. be removed and it seems that they are saying that they were. That does not appear monetary to me but moreso a protection of their name. In my earlier post, I noted that the guys were wearing other non-Alpha Phi Alpha letters so maybe this was a trailer done after the revision.

All that money and frustration. The silly, very silly, filmakers could have simply *started with* different letters to begin with. What a waste of time and money.

ETA: I just saw the full trailer when I went to see "The Pursuit of Happyness" and Alpha Phi Alpha para and folk wearing it was all in the movie ... still. Oh well, I'm sure they got it.

Interesting. The last trailer I saw of the film, no one was wearing any letters at all... just blank hoodies.

*Wait, just saw it again. There appears to be something on the shirts in the first clips. I can't make it out.

7thSon, I guess in order to get my point one would have to identify with the people in the Boyz N the Hood movie as AAs, not merely as gangbangers. As an AA, I felt that those stereotypes would pervade the minds of our nation as to what generally goes on in our neighborhoods, which is not the case in many instances. In the same way, the nation as a whole will generally be deceived as to what stepping is really all about. My analogy was to make the point that I don't know how realistic it is to expect movie makers to consult with populations that may be affected by however the movie maker is portraying a group. ...

The probably *should* ask but even if they did, do we expect them to change the story if the reaction is negative? Shoot, they didn't even change the story in the face of a threat of a lawsuit. Stubborn, stubborn.

True, but they did make some changes. I would like to see more of us speak out just as passionately regarding these other films too. Whether a film is glorifying violence or minimizing the significance of our institutions, when it is creating a false and dangerous image of us to us we shouldn't stand quietly by and allow it to happen.

Originally Posted by MeezDiscreet

does anyone else think it is majorly WACK that the "college" the characters are attending is called "Truth University?"

Lord...

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by southernelle25

Interesting. The last trailer I saw of the film, no one was wearing any letters at all... just blank hoodies.

I saw the trailer on Tues. when I went to see Dreamgirls. It was much longer than what is shown on TV and did show the letters.

Now it is possible they changed the movie, but not the trailer.