Quote:
Originally Posted by DrPhil
Tyler Perry is not obligated to write scripts that deal with Black "issues" (such as? what are Black folks dealing with now that we need Perry to represent?) ... .
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yeah, but ... TP will show up at Negro award program (BET, TVOne, NAACP etc) 5 days a week if you let him and gladly accept awards for expressing "our view," touting that his view stands out, representing "our" view in contrast to Hollywood's usual fare. Of course, you've got to respect a man's hustle and it's his right to do this or not, but since he chooses to do so quite regularly I think CherryFlower's criticism is valid, even though I probably don't share it to the degree she might.
I was having this same discussion w/ friends regarding Tiger Woods a while ago. Of course, dude is not obligated to "represent the race" and be all things Black to Af-Ams who enjoy what he does on the course, but when he joins the PGA Tour in '97 and open with a dramatic Nike ad series "There are courses he could not play (because of racism)..." he opens himself up for a segment of the populace who will consider him "MLK in golf spikes" and expect him to have relevant comment/impact on issues of the day.
Like most celebrites who "dip their toe" in matters of cultural leadership when it suits their purpose, they rarely live up to the obligation of those who expect more, but when you put your self out there like that, it does go with the territory.
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