Tyler Perry's Big Happy Family

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by TonyB06

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.

I completely understand what both you and CherryFlower mean but believe the perception of obligation needs to be more balanced. I am completely fine with someone (in any field of expertise) doing their part to fight the good fight but then using their talents for other things. As for Perry, I think that having Black actors on the screen in relatively positive (relatively, that is) roles always has and always will be a form of fighting the good fight.

[TonyB06]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

I completely understand what both you and CherryFlower mean but believe the perception of obligation needs to be more balanced. I am completely fine with someone (in any field of expertise) doing their part to fight the good fight but then using their talents for other things. As for Perry, I think that having Black actors on the screen in relatively positive (relatively, that is) roles always has and always will be a form of fighting the good fight.

I think the perception would be more "balanced" if it was anything more important than someone's "entertainment" choice. Most people invest a tad more emotionally in the guilty pleasures of our favorite singers, actors, athletes, etc...

Put another way, I can more easily deliver "balance" in my assessment of my Pastor, my parents, my president, etc.. than say, Ced the Entertainer, my favorite comedian. That's why CF's criticism resonated somewhat, particularly when you add TP's outstanding role as his own 24/7 hype man.