AngryGayBlackCanadianman

First off let me say congratulations to Halle Berry for have a successful delivery and giving birth to a healthy baby girl. Halle must be thrilled right now she’s always wanted to have a child. I am sure Halle will be a wonderful loving and caring mother. Although some people think I don’t like Halle Berry this is simply not true. I do think Halle is a solid actress one of her performances was in the television film “Introducing Dorothy Dandridge” for HBO.

Eighty three year old Ruby Dee was nominated for her performance in the film “American Gangster” she didn’t win. I was shocked this was Ruby Dee’s first Oscar nomination for best supporting actress. I think it is such a disgrace that Ruby Dee wasn’t nominated for her electrifying performance in the 1961 classic film “A Raisin In The Sun.”

I started to think to myself what is Halle Berry’s appeal really all about? Obviously Berry is a very attractive woman I’m not blind. My questions refer more about Halle Berry’s acting abilities. Halle Berry definitely takes risks in her roles more risks then other black actresses. I applaud Halle for taking challenging roles for pushing the conventional thinking about black woman. Halle Berry’s most controversial and perhaps the one she won an Oscar for was for Monster’s Ball. Halle’s acting in Monster’s Ball is superb you see the layers, the complexity the feelings of anguish, sadness, grief, regret, pain, and finally acceptance of her character’s circumstances.

I also believe Halle Berry benefited at being at the right place at the right time. Prior to winning the best actress Oscar Berry was already the top actress of colour in Hollywood. The best actress Oscar win simply cemented Halle Berry’s A list status. The question is will another black woman ever win best actress Oscar? Does it even matter? Should we care? Or is the bigger issue the lack of dramatic roles for black women? The Oscars appear to me to be more about politics then about the actual craft of acting.

In the year 2002 the Academy had heard for years that talented black actors weren’t winning Oscars. The Academy killed two birds with one stone giving the best actor and actress Oscars to Denzel Washington and Halle Berry. I cringe when people say this is progress. I am not so sure. Denzel’s character in “Training Day” was a crooked cop. Halle Berry’s character in Monster’s Ball comes across as a whore willing to do anything to move up the social ladder.

A lot of the criticism for Monster’s Ball is the fact many people believe Halle’s character Leticia Musgrove should of went to a less sexually attractive actress. I will admit seeing Halle even without make up on she still looks glamorous even though she’s not supposed to be. It makes sense that Billy Bob Thorton’s character the racist prison guard Hank would want to have sex with Leticia. Although Hank is a racist he is still a red blooded man with raging hormones.

The part of Monster’s Ball I don’t believe is how quickly Hank “falls in love” with Leticia it doesn’t make sense to me. Was it love or just lust? How can a man in middle age suddenly transform so quickly from being a racist bigot to falling in love with a black woman? Why did Hank send his racist father to the nursing home after insulting Leticia? I doubt this would occur in the real world.

After Leticia’s husband is executed she is struggling to pay her bills, she is forced to leave her apartment, and Hank decides to help her. The question is why? What was Hank’s real motivation? I wondered why didn’t the movie explore this a bit more? Didn’t Leticia have any family or friends or any connection to the black community? Leticia appeared isolated from the black community?

Perhaps this was the screenwriter’s true motivation the fantasy that a black woman needs to be saved by a white man in order to have a better life? The screenwriter’s real motivation also is to cheapen a black actress force her to perform in a degrading and racist sex scene for shock value. Hank doesn’t appear to me as a noble or nice man he just looks like a racist old man that wanted to exploit and take advantage of a young black woman that was vulnerable and in danger.

Heath Ledger has a small but important role in Monster’s Ball his character Sonny is a sensitive young man he works with his father at the prison. Heath Ledger was an attractive guy he easily could of been Halle’s love interest in Monster’s Ball. I think Berry and Ledger becoming a romantic couple in this movie would of made more sense. Sonny is depressed he feels unloved he sleeps with prostitutes because he cannot make a connection to a woman in the mainstream world. Sonny also feels unloved by his racist father Hank. I think it would of made more sense if Heath Ledger’s character Sonny fell in love with Leticia because Sonny wasn’t a racist.

Billy Bob Thorton is simply too repugnant, unattractive, and old for the leading man role. It just didn’t seem right that Leticia would fall in love with such an unappealing old guy. Monster’s Ball would of been a more interesting movie if Sonny and Leticia fell in love because they are closer in age and Sonny appeared to to be more open about interracial romance. Sonny was just insecure and weak he followed his father Hank because he was desperate for his approval and love. Sonny wasn’t a racist. Sonny commits suicide right in front of his father Hank and his racist grandfather.

Leticia’s son also dies in a tragic accident. Next, the media and public focus shifts to the intense sex scene between Berry and Thorton. The sex scene seems to me purely for shock value a way to gain publicity for the film and it worked. I am sure millions of heterosexual men flocked to the movie theaters because they can see sex symbol Halle Berry naked in her full glory. Leticia Musgrove is reduced to the pernicious stereotype of being a whore. In Hollywood black women are stereotyped two ways the black woman is either the maid or the whore there is hardly ever any balanced perspective of black female sexuality in the movies.

The quandary is the sex scene reduces Berry’s character Leticia to a filthy whore. Leticia screeches the famous line “make me feel good” with a sneer. I can understand why some black men were so enraged with the sex scene. The question has to be asked does a black woman have to reduce herself in a licentious nude sex scene to win Oscar? Is this really progress?

When was the last time you seen Angelina Jolie in an intense interracial sex scene with With Smith? Can a leading black male actor have an explicit sex scene with a top white actress and win an Oscar? Can Terrence Howard have an intense sexual scene with Jennifer Aniston or Julia Roberts and receive critical acclaim? The answer is never because that’s never going to happen. Hollywood is all about white male dominance and white heterosexual men will never allow leading white women to have black male love interests.

Would a white actress that is considered beautiful have an intense, nude sex scene with a black man and receive critical acclaim? Charlize Theron and Will Smith have a movie coming out this year called Hancock and according to reports there is an interracial love theme in this movie. Hancock is going to be a comedy it is not a drama. Theron is an A list white actress actress she is considered to be one of the most beautiful and talented women in Hollywood. Will Smith is A list the most powerful man in Hollywood and he is black. The question is despite Will Smith’s crossover success will Hancock be a success with the black and white audiences? How intense will the movie’s interracial theme be?

The sex scene in Monster’s Ball was meant to be fractured to be awkward, to illustrate two anguished souls smashing together for comfort. At the same time Halle Berry’s sex appeal was exploited to lure in the male audience and create a buzz for the movie. Monster’s Ball reduces Leticia Musgrove to being a prostitute. Angela Bassett slammed the character Leticia Musgrove in a famous interview with Newsweek magazine. Bassett said she was not impressed with the character Leticia Musgrove because she believes it stereotypes black female sexuality.

The relationship between Leticia and Hank is basically a transaction it is a form of prostitution. Hank the older white man wants Leticia’s body because she is young and pretty. Hank will allow Leticia to live with him if she has sex with him. Since Leticia has no money she offers her body to Hank for shelter. Hank also has a higher social status then Leticia she benefits from this as well. But where is the love? I didn’t feel that either character truly loved each other. I will give Halle Berry credit for taking on a role that despite the controversy her acting is very strong you really do believe Leticia is in a lot of pain. Monster’s Ball was the last big dramatic movie role for a black actress and that was over seven years ago. The paucity of leading lady roles for black women is still very rare. Think about it, when was the last time you went to a movie theater and saw a black actress in a serious dramatic piece as the leading lady?

I just heard that Jensen Atwood the gorgeous talented actor from Noah’s Arc may not return for the movie. According to Jensen’s Myspace blog he says that he isn’t certain if he will return for the film. The rumor is that Shemar Moore may replace Jensen. Isn’t Shemar Moore kind of old the guy is almost forty?

Of course Shemar Moore is attractive but he’s not very good at romantic comedies his acting comes across as stale, dry, lacking layers, complexity, and wooden.When people think of Shemar Moore they think he’s an attractive man nobody thinks he’s a solid dramatic actor.

If Shemar doesn’t get his act together when his looks fade he may be out of work. Shemar has always been typecast in just about every movie he’s been in as the hot guy. Perhaps, Shemar wants to be in the Noah’s Arc movie to demonstrate he has range?

The character Wade on Noah’s Arc is a tough role in relation to acting. Wade has a strong masculinity yet he is also vulnerable. Shemar Moore never impressed me with his acting. I just don’t think Shemar has the range or talent to pull this performance off.

Also would Shemar be comfortable kissing another black man? Shouldn’t a younger actor such as Jensen Atwood be cast? Also, isn’t Shemar upset about the so called gay rumors? Wouldn’t the gay rumors just fuel the fire if Shemar was starring in the Noah’s Arc movie?

The quandary for the Noah’s Arc movie is how can the film reach a larger audience? LOGO wants the movie to make money but I am not sure Shemar Moore is “famous” enough anyway to attract a larger audience anyway. Shemar Moore has been on a few soaps, a few supporting roles in films, and on a CBS show “Criminal Intent” but he’s never been a leading man.

Gay people already know about Noah’s Arc and perhaps a few heterosexual women. However, the dilemma for the marketing team for the Noah’s Arc movie is how can the movie grow and reach other demographics? Can Noah’s Arc reach the lucrative heterosexual black audience such as the Tyler Perry crowd?

The dilemma for black gay and lesbian entertainment are the barriers in relation to race, gender, and sexual orientation. Race is an issue because some people won’t watch the film because it has a black cast. The gender and sexual orientation is another issue because how many black heterosexual women want to watch a movie about black gay men falling in love? How many black heterosexual men would watch the film? Can some black females handle seeing gorgeous and sexy black males kissing on screen? Will it upset them?

I think since Jensen Atwood developed an audience with his character the sexy, mysterious Wade he should be cast in the film. Now of course, this is just my opinion but remember Hollywood is a business and it is profit driven. Remember earlier this week Sean Combs ruined “A Raisin In The Sun” with his horrible acting? Well the ratings are in and despite Combs ludicrous performance the movie had a respectable ratings of 12.7 million viewers on ABC. I will admit I am sure some people tuned in just if Combs can act. LOGO doesn’t want the movie to be released in just a few hundred theaters and pull in a low box office. Also, how many people know about Noah’s Arc anyway?

The ABC television movie “A Raisin In The Sun” will be broadcast on February 25th 2008 at 8:00pm. The television film fulfills the black quota for “black history month”. Pop star Sean Combs is the protagonist Walter Lee Younger. The title of the movie refers to black gay poet Langston Hughes poem “Harlem”.

African American lesbian playwright Lorraine Hansberry’s legendary play once again will be brought back to television to reach a new generation next week. Hansberry was the first black lesbian playwright to have a play produced on Broadway in 1959. “A Raisin In the Sun” was a huge success for Hansberry and launched her career.

The general public of course does not know that Lorraine Hansberry was a lesbian due to homophobia. Why is black lesbianism considered “private” yet “heterosexuality” is a part of the public domain? Although Hansberry married a white Jewish man Robert Nemiroff in 1953 the couple separated in 1957 and divorced in 1964.Hansberry was conscious of her lesbian identity and she negotiated between the public and private spheres. Black lesbians encountered racism from the mainstream, white gay culture, and also persecution from heterosexual blacks.

Lorraine Hansberry’s lesbian identity emerges from the articles she wrote for the lesbian publication “The Ladder” in the late 1950s. Hansberry did not use her full name when she wrote articles for “The Ladder” she used her initials L.H. instead. In the 1950s in America gays and lesbians lived in fear due to witch hunts against homosexuals. Black lesbian women encountered a triple form of oppression in relation to their race, gender, and sexual orientation.

Can you imagine the difficulties black lesbians endured in the 1950s? Homosexuality was still considered a mental illness that can be cured. The topic of human sexuality was still taboo in the 1950s. America was sexually repressed due to heterosexual male domination and male supremacy. The racial and sexual apartheid existed in the United States and black lesbians lived in constant danger due to racism, sexism and homophobia. The civil rights and gay movements did not gather strength until the 1960s.

Black lesbians encountered racism from white lesbians and were barred from entering white lesbian bars and establishments during the 1950s. Black lesbians also endured gender discrimination due to being women and unwanted sexual advances of dangerous, violent, and hostile heterosexual men.

Hansberry was indeed a lesbian but this important component of black queer history should not be erased by the homophobic Occidental world. Heterosexual black publications always ignore the important fact Hansberry was a lesbian. I didn’t know Lorraine Hansberry was a lesbian until I read lesbian activist, feminist, poet, and writer Adrienne Rich’s incisive essay “Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence”. Rich’s analysis is correct society attempts to erase, diminish, and destroy the contributions of lesbians in many ways. I believe the silence about Lorraine Hansberry’s lesbianism is due to the negative attitude that still exists against homosexuals.

Why is the term lesbianism treated like a scatological word? One argument is some straights believe “it doesn’t matter” and if people discover that Lorraine Hansberry was a black lesbian it might “scare people off” from watching the movie. Why is there this invisible code and this silent barrier? If black lesbian emancipation is to occur why is black lesbianism still a social taboo? Society appears to have a love and hate relationship with lesbianism.

The political, cultural, social, and artistic merits of black lesbians such as Lorraine Hansberry must be celebrated and not treated as some shameful abhorrent secret. It is the year 2008 so why are we still reticent? Why hasn’t this final chasm been shattered and the truth still shrouded in silence? Lorraine Hansberry proves that black gay people care about the black community. Often heterosexual blacks believe black gays and lesbians only focus on sexual orientation and ignore race. Lorraine Hansberry proves through art that she was cognizant of the racial, social and political polemics blacks endured during the civil rights era. “A Raisin In The Sun” is about a fictional family struggling to survive in 1950s Chicago at a time when America’s social and racial apartheid was at full strength.

Virtually all the articles published about “A Raisin In The Sun” always mentions Lorraine Hansberry’s race and her gender but excludes her sexual orientation. The question is why? It appears in the year 2008 homophobia reigns supreme. Lesbianism is more then just a sexual act there is more to lesbianism then just sex. Lesbians are women that are not sexually attracted to men but there is an illogical fear of lesbianism in society that lesbians are anti male.

Lorraine Hansberry lived a double life a life where she constantly was in fear that the heterosexist matrix would discriminate against her since she was a black lesbian. The real Lorraine Hansberry is blurred between the printed lines of “A Raisin In The Sun”. The sentences, paragraphs, thoughts, feelings, emotions, and doubt, lives in Lorraine Hansberry’s groundbreaking play. “A Raisin In The Sun” is about emancipation and personal determination I believe this also relates to the struggles gays and lesbians encounter. Perhaps Hansberry used her play as a metaphor to explore the internal struggles she endured during her own life?

Lorraine Hansberry’s incredible groundbreaking play proves that black gay and lesbian people were cognizant of the struggles blacks endured in the mid 20th century. Hansberry wanted to bring a greater awareness to the incredible racism, sexism, and economic discrimination African Americans experienced in the United States.

Lorraine Hansberry is very important she shattered an artistic and cultural barrier in the performing arts. It is such a disservice to ignore Hansberry was a lesbian. Lorraine Hansberry’s lesbian identity should not be concealed in the shadows and be treated as an afterthought. I believe it is imperative, and crucial that there be a dialogue about how Hansberry’s play relates to her lesbian identity. It is simply disgraceful that the mainstream press to ignore and attempt to erase the importance of lesbianism in Lorraine Hansberry’s life and art.

The articles Lorraine Hansberry wrote for “The Ladder” are very passionate and powerful she wrote about the struggles she endured as a black lesbian woman in the mid 20th century. Legendary African American actors Ruby Dee and Sidney Poitier were the stars of the original stage version of the play and the 1961 feature film. Sadly, Lorraine Hansberry died in her prime at the tender age of thirty four in 1965 due to pancreatic cancer. Lorraine Hansberry died at a very young age she was such an incredible talent.

The press have showered the movie with a lot of praise saying the three hour film is a testament of Hansberry’s incredible talent. The cast includes Phylicia Rashad, Sanaa Lathan, Audra McDonald, and the omnipotent Sean Combs. I will admit I might take a peek at the movie. However, I am not impressed that Sean Combs or P Diddy or whatever that guy calls himself is the star of the film. I wanted a younger black male actor to be the star of the movie.

The crisis in black Hollywood is the paucity of film roles available for young black actors. I am sure some black actors are seething right now that Sean Combs is the star of the film. In white Hollywood you rarely ever see a “singer” attain a prestigious movie role these days. Can you imagine Jon Bon Jovi as the star in a movie about Elvis? So why is there a double standard for black Hollywood? Why do untalented bottom feeders such as Sean Combs get to the be star of such an important movie?

I really feel for the talented young black male actors that are training hard at various universities, colleges, theater programs, across North America and the world. The only reason Sean Combs was hired is due to greed. The producers and director behind the television film believe Combs can generate huge ratings for ABC television. ABC television will hype this movie to the maximum I just believe a talented and much younger black actor should of chosen for the male lead.

The lead in “A Raisin In The Sun” Walter Lee Younger is a young black man and Sean Combs is thirty eight years old. Since Combs in thirty eight one argument is he can bring “maturity” to the role. However, I believe the feeling of naivety and optimism is diminished for the character Walter Lee Younger due to Combs advanced age.

A younger black male actor possibly someone between the ages of twenty five to perhaps thirty two should of been chosen for the role. Combs is simply not talented enough and too old for the part. Combs is also a rap artist he’s a wannabe actor he is not a serious dramatic actor. I have so much sympathy for the talented black actors that want to become stars in Hollywood but are not given the opportunity.

Why does Hollywood continue to insult the audience and cast these talentless flakes such as Sean Combs in such prestigious roles? The barriers for black actors in Hollywood are incredible there are limited opportunities to advance up the Hollywood star system. Twenty five years ago perhaps an unknown black male actor would of been chosen for the lead role. Hollywood is profit driven and the ideology is since Sean Combs already is successful in various demographics his fans will fans will flock to watch the movie. However, does talent not matter anymore?

Why do young blacks in Hollywood have to always be singers or dancers in order to breakthrough and get the big movie roles? Beyonce just won the lead role in a biopic about the legendary singer Etta James. I cringe because Beyonce is not an actress she needs acting lessons. Beyonce cannot act she requires an acting coach and numerous hours to learning the craft of acting.

Young talented unknown black actors are being disrespected and ignored. A young black male actor with talent would of been electrifying in the role of Walter Lee Younger. A young black actor could of brought pathos, complexity, sensitivity, and range to this very important role. Unfortunately, Hollywood is now all about profit margins, ratings, and the craft of acting is now secondary. The only glimmer of hope is that young people will learn more about Lorraine Hansberry and gain an appreciation for her incredible talent.

Well I just checked www.boxofficemojo.com The Perfect Holiday bombed big time. The movie only made $2, 930,138 at the box office. “The Perfect Holiday” is a flop and I am not surprised. I have to be honest I am sick of seeing the same black actors in the same genre together. Gabrielle Union and Morris Chestnut have been typecast in the black romantic comedy genre. I think people just passed this movie because its the same recycled cast. I think Gabrielle Union and Morris Chestnut are good actors but my goodness don’t they realize they are typecast? I think the major issue is Hollywood’s myopic view of black culture. Hollywood thinks blacks can only “make money” in romantic comedies. Why not present another genre to the black film audience? Stop insulting us with this garbage.

Black movie fans want to see more then romantic comedies. Where are the dramatic films with young black actors under the age of thirty five? Where is the diversity, the deep layers, the complexity? I think most black people said “whatever” and just skipped this movie “The Perfect Holiday”. I can’t blame them either.

I wish Gabrielle’s dramatic film Neo Ned can finally be released. Go to www.neoned.com or visit You Tube and type Neo Ned in the search engine. It is so frustrating because Neo Ned is an incredible film. My goodness is Neo Ned ever going to be released or what? I have been waiting over two years to see that damn movie! Release Neo Ned damn it! Hollywood needs to realize where is the younger talent? We need newer and younger black actors to shine on the silver screen. Gabrielle needs to realize that if she wants to become a serious actress the time is now. Yes, I understand Gabrielle Union has bills to pay but girlfriend “The Perfect Holiday” is like another “Honeymooners”. I wish Gabrielle would take more risks in her career like she did with “Neo Ned”. I think “Neo Ned” has got to be the strangest thing going on in Hollywood. How can a film with so much critical acclaim not be released? I mean my goodness release the damn movie!!!

Meanwhile, This Christmas continues to do well grossing over $46, 043,000. This Christmas had the advantage of being released during the very lucrative American Thanksgiving holiday. I think this should be a lesson for Hollywood perhaps?

I think the release date for “The Perfect Holiday” was wrong. I actually think a late December or perhaps a January release would of been better. Why release two black Christmas movies back to back? People are just going to choose one over the other. Oh well, Morris Chestnut is so cute he is still a hunk!!!! I wish he was getting more serious film roles.

In this clip from Jackson Katz’s documentary he explores the issue of masculinity and why it is considered palatable for men to be “violent”. Katz film investigates many issues about “why” men think we have to present this macho image. Its clear to me that society accepts male violence and tells men that in order to be real men the only acceptable emotion is anger. I don’t agree with everything in this clip of the documentary  but Katz does make some valid points.

I see it all the time on the bus, walking through the mall, on the subway, I see young men posturing trying to act hard. I’ve always wondered why do they do this? The documentary also explores the role that women have in this. Some women admire and want men that appear “macho” they consider this to be attractive. Also some females look down on men that are not “tough” or “aggressive.” I think that’s part of the appeal rapper such as 50 CENT has with young males. I love Kanye West because he illustrates that a man can be just be himself, show his emotions, and be real. I wish there were more positive images of black manhood out there.

Why are John Wayne and Steve McQueen so revered and popular? One can argue that Wayne and McQueen were just actors in films but they were also very masculine and dominant in their movies. I think a lot of men don’t want to admit it but there is so much pressure to be strong all the time. I find this emotionally and psychologically draining and I am glad I never tried to be that way. However, I have been criticized throughout my life for not being “macho” and “aggressive”. Men place a lot of pressure on other men to conform to gender roles.

Pop culture such as music videos and movies have a role. However, I think socialization is a big part of it. Its obvious society believes that men must be “dominant” or “in control” at all times to be real men. My perspective is that the education system has a serious role in shaping the minds of young males. I think this film is very interesting because I have fought with my emotions about what it means to be a real man my whole life. I remember when I was a kid I got called sissy, fag, wimp. I cry when I am depressed and sad I don’t hide my emotions although society says to be a real man we are supposed to.I was a very shy boy I didn’t really stand up for myself. I also recall my older brother verbally abusing me and I didn’t really feel that my parents stood up for me either.

Instead of turning my anger on to “others” I internalized my anger and hurt myself by not speaking out. People wonder why so many young men are dying? Its because in society some young men don’t know that it should be okay to “talk” about our feelings. You turn on the news and you watch and listen about more young men dying on the streets due to male violence. Men are killing and hurting other men and we just sit and watch. I think a real man is a man that can admit he has feelings and emotions that can feel hurt, feel pain, he can also cry.

I read an interview on Reuters website yesterday with Halle Berry. Once again Berry is complaining about the struggles she still has with finding quality work. I was stunned and shocked. Berry has an Oscar, SAG awards, a Golden Globe, a Silver Bear, and an Emmy. She is also the “only” “black” female celebrity other then Beyonce that is always profiled in the mainstream media. If you need a translation let me be blunt. Berry and Beyonce right now are the only light skinned black women that have white features that are celebrated by white Hollywood. Berry and Beyonce’s success has as much to do with their talent but also with their Eurocentric appearances. If Berry was extremely dark and didn’t have white features she simply wouldn’t be getting the film roles she gets right now.

Berry’s life is constantly in the news in the mainstream media and the black media. Halle Berry is a crossover actress. What about darker skinned black women? You know black women that actually look black? Where are they? Where are Angela Bassett’s leading lady roles? Where are Whoopi Goldberg’s leading lady roles?

Angela Bassett and Whoopi Goldberg in my mind are superior actresses to Halle Berry. Please go see “What’s Love Got To Do with It” or “The Color Purple” as proof. Where are Angela and Whoopi’s best actress Oscars? Whoopi managed to win an Oscar to her credit but Angela Bassett has not. And the question is why? Angela Bassett is beautiful and very talented but she doesn’t have the white features or light skin that mainstream North America and Hollywood favors. Halle Berry has the “right look” she’s making serious cash, she also is the “only” “black” actress that Hollywood considers bankable.

Now some people may think talking about pop culture isn’t important but I believe it is. Popular culture shapes, transmits, forms, and creates, messages through images. Movies aren’t just entertainment they are dialogues between the society and the viewing audience. What are the messages the movies really sending to the African Diaspora? What does it mean in the year 2007 that there is only “one” leading black actress in Hollywood and she’s over the age of 40? What does this say to younger black men and women that are actors or want to become actors?

Let me provide an example, lets say someone wanted to make a serious dramatic film about a famous black woman in history. The first person the studio executives would call is Halle Berry. It doesn’t matter that Berry does not look similar or have the range necessary for the role. In Hollywood Halle Berry would be “first choice” because they consider her the only true A list black actress. Now if Berry doesn’t want a role then the studios pass it over to Queen Latifah and if she doesn’t want it well it the role is up for grabs for all the other black women in Hollywood.

I am sure Halle Berry fans will rake me over the coals for saying this but why isn’t Berry more grateful? Why does she always utilize the same sales tactic to garner media attention for her films? Every time Halle Berry has to promote a movie Halle always plays the victim.Halle is at the top along with Denzel Washington and Will Smith lets call these three the trinity they are the top three black actors in Hollywood. I don’t hear Washington or Smith complain about how hard they got it every single time they are promoting a movie. Is there racism in Hollywood? Of course there is. Is it harder for Berry because she’s a black woman? Of course it is. I just find it derivative that she doesn’t even seem to realize how many opportunities she has compared to every single other actress of colour in Hollywood.

Does anyone care about Parminder Nagra? I do. I think Parminder Nagra is a talented young British actress. Parimnder was the star of “Bend It Like Beckham” yet the white British actress Keira Knightley her co star in the movie is now a major star. I am not going to knock Keira Knightley I mean its not her fault that Hollywood recognized her for her performance in “Bend It Like Beckham”. Keira Knightley has been in the Pirates of the Caribbean series, Pride and Prejudice, Atonement, she is a rising star.

Where is Parminder? Oops I forgot? Parminder is on ER on NBC. Yes the star of “Bend It Like Beckham” you see on Prime Time television. Parminder is not white or light skinned so she isn’t going to be offered any big movie roles. You would of thought that Parminder proved she had an audience with her international hit movie. The attitude of Hollywood remains the same they favored Keira her costar over the real star of “Bend It Like Beckham”.

I am sure Pariminder is pleased she has a steady pay cheque working on a major American TV network. However, I think ER is limiting to Parminder’s talent and that’s just my personal opinion. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could see Parminder sink her teeth into a dramatic movie role?

Did you know Halle Berry’s next movie “Tulia” is about an Indian American woman Vanita Gupta! Last time I checked Halle Berry is not Indian American. Parminder isn’t Indian American either she’s a British South Asian woman. However, Parminder would make perfect sense for this role. Now why did the studios ignore Parminder for this role and pick Halle Berry? Parminder would of been perfect for the part!

Aishwariya Rai and Shilpa Shetty are attractive but I am not sure they are as talented as Parminder Nagra? Halle Berry does not have Indian heritage and its insulting that she’s taking this role. Yes Hollywood is about box office but what about having some cultural and racial sensitivity? Berry’s being hypocritical here she’s complaining about how bad she’s got it but she doesn’t have a problem taking a role meant for an South Asian or Indian American actress.

Here you have Halle Berry saying she has it so rough yet she doesn’t mind taking a role that was meant for another actress of colour. I don’t understand Halle Berry? I find Berry to be so pretentious. I am cognizant of the fact that the film industry is about making money and is profit driven.

I wonder what the other black women in Hollywood are thinking when they hear Halle Berry using this same pattern over and over again about how hard she’s got it? Halle Berry has so many fans especially in the black community a lot of black movie fans would become outraged if another famous black actress dared to speak out against her. However, I bet the other black women in Hollywood are even more frustrated then Halle Berry. Where is Angela Bassett these days? I believe Bassett is a superior actress to Halle Berry. When was the last time you saw Angela in a quality film that was a major success? When was the last time Angela Bassett had a leading lady role? Whoopi Goldberg is on television right now because the film roles simply aren’t there for her. I admire and respect both Whoopi and Angela because I believe they were the ones that really broke down the colour barrier in Hollywood in terms of making quality films.

In Halle Berry’s last film “Perfect Stranger” she had to once again exploit her sexuality to garner media attention. “Perfect Stranger” of course bombed at the North American box office grossing only $23 million dollars. I think Halle Berry should be counting her blessings that at least she has options and choices. At least Halle has a choice. Gabrielle Union and Sanaa Lathan I believe are just as beautiful as Berry but you see Sanaa and Gabrielle don’t have the “white” look. Sorry did I write that? I mean to say Sanaa and Gabrielle don’t have the “right” appearance to appear in major leading lady mainstream roles.

Its tiring and annoying that summer passed and there wasn’t one movie at the multiplex that I wanted to watch. I don’t only watch black movies I like watching good movies. I like character driven movies. However, it would nice not to have to wait until the “end” of the year to finally see some serious dramatic films with black actors.

Berry is promoting her new film “Things We Lost In A Fire” directed by the Danish woman Suzanne Bier. Bier is a well respected director and from what I have read the movie looks like its a comeback role for Berry. I really do hope this movie is a success for her. Berry said she had to “fight” for that role well at least she was “offered” an audition for that role. I doubt Gabrielle Union, Sanaa Lathan, or Kimberly Elise would be considered for that part.

I definitely agree with Halle Berry that an Oscar winning actress that is an A list star, shouldn’t have to “fight” for roles. Halle Berry is paid several million dollars per movie she’s the highest paid actress of colour in Hollywood. Berry is at the very top of the Hollywood ladder then other respected women of colour in entertainment around her age such as Jennifer Lopez, Queen Latifah, and Lucy Liu. What about Asian women or South Asian women or hispanic women in Hollywood? Other women of colour got it much harder then Halle Berry. Yet I don’t hear Jennifer Lopez, or Lucy Liu, or Queen Latifah complain about how hard they got it? And I think other black, South Asian, hispanic, and East Asian actresses would have more valid arguments about the entrenched racism and sexism they encounter. Where is Parminder Nagra’s big movie role?

Where is Sandra Oh’s Oscar? Sandra Oh is on Grey’s Anatomy and that is a big deal. Grey’s Anatomy is one the top shows on television and Sandra has won a Golden Globe award and a SAG award. Sandra has been recognized by Hollywood for all her hard work. However, when was the last time you saw an Asian Canadian or Asian American woman the main star of a studio film? Where are Sandra’s leading lady roles? Sandra has often been in “secondary” roles in motion pictures such as the film “Sideways” or she’s either the white girl’s best friend or somebody’s “friend” but never the main star. At least Halle Berry gets to be the “star” of her movies.

Has anyone ever heard of Rachel Crawford? Rachel Crawford is a very talented black Canadian actress she was in the lesbian film “When Night Is Falling” twelve years ago in 1995. Rachel is a solid actress she’s has had work on Canadian and American television. Where is Rachel’s Emmy?

Now Berry, Latifiah, Lopez, and Liu are the top four women of colour working in Hollywood today. If Halle Berry has it so bad what about people like Parminder Nagra, Sandra Oh, Sanaa Lathan, Gabrielle Union, Kimberly Elise, Kerry Washington, and even the women of colour below them? How must they feel when they read Halle Berry complaining about how hard she’s got it?

Berry not only gets top salary, endorsements, international fame, leading lady roles, magazine covers, TV show interviews, always a guest on Oprah. Wow how hard does Halle Berry got it? It must be so hard cashing multi millon dollar cheques and being the “only” leading black lady in Hollywood.

Last time I checked Queen Latifah is stuck in mammy roles such as “Hairspray” as Motormouth Mable due to her size. Latifah only had one serious dramatic role this year Life Support but it was a TV film on HBO. Union can’t seem to get anything outside of the black romantic comedy genre, Washington is still in secondary roles in films such as “The Fantastic Four” or smaller films such as “The Dead Girl” and Liu is on TV. I am not trying to downplay the frustration Halle Berry has when she says she has to “fight” for movie roles because I am sure she does. I am a bit cynical and a bit irritated whenever she has a movie to promote she complains about how hard she’s got it. Halle has endorsements with Versace, Revlon, and numerous other companies she’s an international superstar. Meanwhile, Kimberly Elise was fired from the CBS show “Close to Home” last season she no longer will the the white girl’s “best friend” this season. I think Elise is a better actress then Berry but Elise doesn’t have “the look.” Elise has even said this in media reports in interviews with Ebony magazine and NPR and other outlets.

Another thing I have noticed is how racially segregated the movies still are. Why is it a black actor has to be in a film with a white actor in order for the film to have critical acclaim? Has anyone else noticed this disturbing pattern? Tyler Perry has a movie out this weekend “Why Did I Get Married?” Perry’s film was not screened for critics because he did not like how the critics bashed his first film “Diary of a mad black woman.” “Why Did I Get Married?” is also the only movie out this weekend with an all black cast but its considered a “romantic comedy.” Is Tyler Perry all we got?

Now Tyler Perry has a right to make the films he wants to make because he is his own artist. Every single artist has a right to his or her’s own artistic vision. I just find Perry’s movies didactic, boring, and not stimulating. Now this is my personal opinion. Also, the black community is not a monolithic group. Just because I don’t find Perry’s movies interesting doesn’t mean other black people agree with me. There should be a place for Tyler Perry’s films we all need to a good laugh at the theatre sometime. My complaint is Tyler Perry at the moment appears to be the “only” black filmmaker at the moment that has clout with the mainstream studios. And I see this as a quandary. I believe there just needs to be more diversity.

In the month of October 2007 only two movies will be theatres that have blacks in leading roles and that’s it. Of course black movie goers can see other films because its our choice. However, why are our choices so limited? I am drawn to black films because I want to see movies about the black experience on the screen. My complaint is the lack of quality choices to choose from.

Link to Berry’s interview about Racism in Hollywood: http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSN1027845720071011

            I know I’m late writing about the whole Kanye West Vs 50 CENT record sales battle but I had to listen to both albums. I got to say Kanye wins by a landslide. I’m not really into rap music. I remember when I was a kid during the golden age of rap music in the late 1980s early to 1990s rap music was so much more pure. I liked listening to MC Lyte, Public Enemy, LL Cool J, Will Smith and Jazzy Jeff, Queen, Roxanne Shante, Supersonic, Salt and Pepa. Rap music meant something back in those days when I was a young kid. And now rap music has transformed into something I don’t even understand anymore.

         BET had a hip hop town hall episode called Hip Hop Vs America recently and I got a chance to watch the program. And I feel like the vicious cycle was just repeating itself. I mean its the same discussion that takes place over and over again and again. I suggest to anyone that bothers to read my blog to pick up an anthology collection of essays called “Everything But the Burden” edited by Greg Tate. “Everything But the Burden” should be available at any bookstore or on Amazon.com or even better I am sure its available at any public library. 

     In the book “Everything But the Burden” black scholars discuss the issues of racism, sexism, and a little bit about homophobia in rap music. However, the most important issue “Everything But the Burden” discusses in detail is the issue of capitalism. And I feel that’s an issue everyone casually ignores. 70% of the rap music bought is not by blacks its by white youths most likely from the suburbs.

    On the BET special the rappers like Nelly and Ti appeared to be very defensive. The scholar and  writer Michael Eric Dyson and the feminist from Essence Magazine slammed the rappers. And the issue of homophobia in hip hop wasn’t talked about much. A lot of the discussion was about misogyny. Of course misogyny and the degradation of black women is absolutely abhorrent and unacceptable.  The rappers say they are red blooded men and they have a right to talk about heterosexual sex. I think that’s fair. However, Nelly’s video for “tip drill” is just disgusting.

       I think the real issue that wasn’t discussed in detail was the record label executives. Why were the white record label executives absent from the BET special? I think they are the ones that have to be held accountable to a certain extent. Its the white executives the corporate bosses at the major record labels that have the power to  block or release  an album. The labels decide which “rap artist” I mean “minstrel” they sign to their label.

              
On a recent Oprah show she also had a town hall this year about rap music and the thing is one guest mentioned the rappers are the new minstrels.  The framework for Oprah’s town hall was all wrong once again Oprah tries to blame black men for the language used by young people. Oprah is such a misandrist she will blame black men for everything if she could. You just cannot take a classic black man hater as Oprah seriously. Of course, mammy Oprah won’t point the target where it should be at the white male record executives.

Black people don’t own the major record labels. The big record labels are owned by whites so obviously they have the economic power. The rappers are the new minstrels. Unlike the old minstrels back in the early part of the 20th century these young black rappers have a choice. Yet the young black rappers choose to make a profit at any means necessary. The black minstrels in the early 20th century didn’t have many choices due to racist proscriptions that prevented blacks from advancement in society. The black minstrels they danced around in blackface and sang for white audiences to make money.

Now, I think its pretty hard for people in the 21st century to criticize black artists in the early part of the 20th century. A lot of the black entertainers that did engage in the minstrel shows did so for economic survival. Yes there were blacks that could afford to attend college in the early part of the 20 century. However, for plenty of blacks during the early 1900s entertainment was a way out. The truth is there were a lot of proscriptions in the early part of the 20th century and Jim Crow laws that prevented black advancement in society. One of the areas black people entered into to make a living was the minstrel shows.

   And now when you think about it aren’t some rappers just “minstrels.” People need to know a lot of rappers are “studio gangsters”. Ice Cube was not “poor” his parents were on the faculty of UCLA. Yes Ice Cube was raised in Compton California but his parents were not poor. There are plenty of other rappers that are from middle class backgrounds to even upper class backgrounds but they play the “poor rags to riches” storyline because it sells.  White kids like listening to rap music because they are entering their “Nigger Heaven” as Carl Van Vechten wrote about.

The white kids can have a voyeuristic kind of look at “the world” the rappers are rapping about. Yet the problem is the rap music is not “real” its “artificial” and its ugly. The rappers stereotype the black community to make a profit and the white kids “love” listening to the “blacks” talk about how bad we got it. Its a constant vicious cycle and its the reason why I stopped listening to most rap music a long time ago. It racist, sexist, garbage, stereotypical filth. The rappers are only concerned about maximizing their profits and the white kids are only interested in getting close to the “blacks” but heaven forbid they would actually want to “change places” with “poor blacks”.

         Black kids and especially the white kids in the suburbs I think like rap music because for some of them its a form of “rebellion” just like in the 1960s when white kids listened to “rock and roll”. Some rap music is considered “dirty” and “tainted” and “forbidden” and the record companies conduct research. They find out  what the white and black kids like and they sign artists that provide the crap the kids want to listen to.  The record labels realize the rappers have to cross over in order to sell more records they have to reach a wider demographic therefore they have to do “things” to get the white kids to buy their music. Kanye West is refreshing he reminds me a bit of Will Smith in the fact he’s just a regular ordinary young black man that’s intelligent, has talent, and is a good entertainer. Talib Kweli he also is a “conscious” rapper but he’s never had the record sales Kanye West has had. Kanye West is the first “conscious” rapper from the new generation that has been able to somehow crossover and appeal to all demographics. Kanye is definitely marketed well. Perhaps that’s Kanye’s image or gimmick to just be himself? The thing is though very few rappers that are successful now in rap music are “like” Kanye West.

          50 CENT became famous because he proudly proclaimed that he got shot nine times. 50 CENT glorifies violence but I feel he may disappear in the next few years for a few reasons. One 50 CENT is over 30 and music’s young consumers are a fastidious bunch they like what is hot and current at the moment. Second, it gets kind of tiring listening to 50 CENT boast about his masculinity and how great he is all the time.

                The  labels want to sell as much records as possible because with people downloading music now record sales have plummeted. People just don’t want to pay $15 to $20 dollars for a CD anymore.

            My question is are Kanye West and 50 CENT the best hip hop can offer? I have to admit Kanye  is absolutely gorgeous I’m not going to lie he’s nice to look at. And unlike some rappers he appears to me to be a bit more intelligent although also outspoken as well. West also it appears to me has a different kind of image that I find appealing. He isn’t trying to be this super aggressive stereotype of the young black male that I feel 50 CENT gravitates towards. West is also against homophobia and I think its cool that a young black heterosexual male in the media like West can denounce homophobia. I think its very encouraging.

         I think Kanye West’s music is alright but I certainly don’t listen to a lot of rap music these days. I listen to a lot of R&B, jazz, pop music, and yes even a little bit of folk. I like Ani Difranco and Tracy Chapman’s music a lot as well. I find a lot of the lyrics for rap music these days to be a bit childish and immature. I do find Kanye’s lyrics and music to be a bit more intelligent and insightful. I think Common is pretty good and I’m glad his latest album did debut at no.1 as well on the billboard top 200 chart recently. Talib Kweli is also a very talented rapper that unfortunately hasn’t had incredible record sales. I think the issue is why don’t record labels sign more rappers that have different things to say. It seems to me a lot of the current rappers are very materialistic and its tacky to see P Diddy flash his jewelry or Ludacris to flash his cash in a music video. I mean is that all there is to rap music these days?

I first heard about this controversial film Neo Ned starring Gabrielle Union and Jeremy Renner two years ago. Neo Ned won a lot of indie festival prizes last year and was praised by movie critics. Yet after two long years still no distribution. Is there any hope for a release for Neo Ned? Why can’t the producers of this movie get this film into the art house theatres? I think the people behind this movie must be seeking a theatrical release still? I believe Neo Ned is the best performance of Gabrielle Union’s career this film should be her breakthrough.

Yes the N word is used in Neo Ned, however, the movie is clearly about fighting racism and prejudice. The movie appears to be too intelligent and controversial for Hollywood. Here is a role complex, dramatic role for a black actress and Hollywood refuses to release Neo Ned due to the Hitler factor. Gabrielle’s character Rachel is clearly “pretending” to be Hitler she is a victim of sexual abuse. Why can’t people expand their thinking a bit and think outside of the box?

I mean why wait two long years? If the producers behind Neo Ned wanted a DVD release couldn’t they have gotten one by now? I think the people behind Neo Ned still want a theatrical release. Its so sad that a movie that is so controversial and so thought provoking cannot get even an art house theatre release? Neo Ned uses strong language but it really challenges the viewer to think.

Neo Ned is Gabrielle Union’s best performance. Gabrielle really shines in this clip her acting is incredible. It was so nice to see Gabrielle try something different and do a drama instead of a romantic comedy. I really wish Gabrielle would get more film roles like this instead of the saccharine roles she gets like her new Christmas film coming out in a few months. Neo Ned should of been Gabrielle’s breakthrough. No the movie is not another Monster’s Ball contrary to what some people are saying. Why can’t Gabrielle get more challenging films like Neo Ned? Gabrielle tends to be typecast in those stereotypical black romantic comedies. Gabrielle obviously needs to work but why is Hollywood so myopic about the young black woman’s experience? Why can’t black actresses be challenged with tougher more complex roles?

Neo Ned is even better then monster’s Ball. Watch this clip and you will see why Neo Ned should be released. I mean the plot is a bit out there about a black woman that thinks the soul of Hitler is trapped in her body and she falls in love with a white male Neo Nazi guy. However, “Neo Ned” is an independent film and although the language is strong the performances of Union and Renner make this movie special.

I don’t go to the movies that much these days and why should I? I am serious. There is absolutely nothing at the theatres these days that interests me. Am I supposed to get excited about “Superbad”? Its like give me a break! The last good movie I saw was The Notorious Betty Page.

I have written a play and I have sent the play out to various theatre companies. I have also gotten rejected but I am determined to make things happen for myself. I doubt very much my play will be produced in Canada I just don’t think it will happen here. I am determined to make things happen for myself. I want to start small and try to get a play produced first. I figure I’m starting with theatre. I love theatre. I remember when I was a kid in the late 1980s and early the early 1990s I was in a few school plays. The hunger is back and I want to create new art. I am tired of writing articles and sitting on the sidelines. Its time to explore the artistic world and get involved. I might even consider going to film school because I am tired of all the garbage films about the black experience that Hollywood puts out.

Now the argument is Hollywood will only release films that make money and due to the “research” black comedies tend to be more successful at the box office. However, is that all there is? I mean how many times do I have to see a black man in a dress? People praise Eddie Murphy, Tyler Perry, and Martin Lawrence but I just feel like screaming at the top of my lungs when I see their ludicrous drag queen movies. I feel like those movies emasculate black men. Yet if you go to www.boxofficemojo.com go look at the box office for these kinds of movies and you will see why Hollywood keeps on releasing this kind of crap.

And once in a while Hollywood will release a black drama at the end of the year such as “Ray” or “Last King of Scotland.” And what about black Canadian films? When was the last time I saw a good black Canadian movie? I think it was a decade ago when I saw “Rude”.

However, notice my dear readers that the black dramatic films are always about black heterosexual men and not about black heterosexual women, black gay men, and black lesbians. Next, people say to me well what about “Brokeback Mountain.” Well so what? “Brokeback Mountain” has nothing to do with the black gay man’s experience that’s for sure. And I didn’t think “Brokeback Mountain” was that good a film either. I am so sick of not having anything good to watch at either the art house theatres or the mainstream movie complex.

Why does everything that is related to the black experience centers around black heterosexual men? It appears to me we still live in a heterosexist male dominated world. The quality of scripts for black women and other women of colour are seriously lacking as well and nobody seems to care. What about the rest of us? Do our lives matter? Film and theatre is important because I want to see more textured representations of black people in art. Whenever there is something about gay people that is either a hit movie or play its always about white gay men. Now what does that got to do with me? I ask again is that all there is?

The mainstream media has focused on Queen Latifah and Halle Berry for the past five years both women have released once crap movie after the another.Latfiah had once decent film this year called “Life Support” but it was a TV film on HBO. Latifah unfortunately is the new black mammy of Hollywood. I mean look at new musical “Hairspray” and see for yourself. Halle Berry is the opposite of Latifah she is stereotyped as the black jezebel. Berry can’t seem to keep her clothes on she’s always semi nude in so many movies she’s released in the past five years. Hopefully for Halle her new movie “Things We Lost In a Fire” will return her to the glory she deserves.

It is times like this when I wonder why the Hollywood quota system is so racially stratified? Hollywood continues to ignore a second group of young talented black actresses that are poised for a major breakthrough. Black people we want to see good quality films. The black media to its credit has profiled Sanaa Lathan, Gabrielle Union, Kerry Washington, and Meagan Good. Lathan, Union, Washington, and Good have got the looks but also the talent as well. However, the kinds of roles these talented black women have received is nothing to get excited about. I mean has anyone seen “Waist Deep”?

Sanaa Lathan is well respected in the black community for her work and talent. Sanaa is a beautiful woman that unfortunately hasn’t gotten the right roles to match her incredible talent. Lathan tends to headline her own films such as “Brown Sugar”, “Something New”, and “Love and Basketball”. However, Sanaa’s movies also tend to be created specifically for a black or urban demographic. Lathan has attempted to diversify her roles with high profile movies such as “Out of Time” and “AVP.” Lathan was also on the FX show drama “Nip/Tuck” last season. Lathan should be a bigger star but Hollywood has already filled its black woman quota. Right now Queen Latfiah and Halle Berry get the best scripts and then after them every other woman of colour gets a chance.

Gabrielle Union is best known in the USA mostly for her role in the teen comedy “Bring It On” and the film “Bad Boys II”. Gabrielle has done a lot of black romantic comedies and she usually was the eye candy. Gabrielle Union is very beautiful and also very talented. Some people say Gabrielle has been typecasted as the “strong black woman” too often. Gabrielle has tried to find roles where her character is more vulnerable and I commend her for that. I love Gaby’s voice! It was nice to see Gabrielle expand her talents when she was cast in the the wonderful science fiction show called “Night Stalker” I loved that show but ABC cancelled it two years ago after just six episodes. Night Stalker is available on DVD there are ten episodes on the DVD and you will see why ABC should of saved that show.

After “Night Stalker” ended Gabrielle was in the controversial indie film “Neo Ned.” Neo Ned is a film starring Jeremy Renner and Gabrielle. Gabrielle’s character Rachel is a woman that has been sexually abused and she believes the soul of Hitler is inside her body. Rachel and Ned meet up at a mental institution and he’s a white male supremacist. Go to www.neoned.com and see for yourself. Neo Ned I believe could be Gabrielle’s breakthrough performance. The critics have been raving about Neo Ned for the past two years yet the movie hasn’t been able to acquire distribution. I think its because the subject matter is so controversial.

Gabrielle was also in an indie film this year called “Constellation” and even the black media ignored “Constellation”. I don’t understand our community? We complain about the lack of quality roles for black women in Hollywood and when decent films come along we don’t support them?

Gabrielle was also in the Tyler Perry movie “Daddy’s Little Girls” now I am the first to admit that Tyler Perry is not that great a movie director his movies tend to be comedies. And sometimes I wonder is that all Hollywood thinks black people are just for a good laugh? “Daddy’s Little Girls” was more of a romantic drama and it was different then Tyler Perry’s other films because the drag queen character Madea was not in the film. “Daddy’s Little Girls” grossed $31 million at the box office it was nice to see Gabrielle be the star of a film but I just feel like her incredible talent can be better served elsewhere. We like to complain about the gate keepers in Hollywood not greenlighting scripts for black actors but maybe more of us need to get involved and do less complaining?

Yes I am gay but I am not blind. I remember watching Rogers television last year a press conference for the film “The Last King of Scotland” and I couldn’t take my eyes off of Kerry Washington. Kerry is gorgeous!!! Everybody talks about how pretty Halle berry is but Kerry Washington is very attractive and a very serious actress. I read an article in Essence Magazine with Kerry and she is starring in a movie right now called “Lakeview Terrance” co starring with Samuel L Jackson I hope it works out for her. Kerry Washington appears to be the one that might be able to become a big star. Washington has endorsements for L’Oreal Cosmetics and I have seen print ads and TV ads for her.

Meagan Good is the youngest out of this group she is only twenty six so she’s got a bit more time on her side. Meagan is best known for being the eye candy in hip hop films such as “Stomp The Yard.” However, does anyone remember “Eve’s Bayou”? Eve’s Bayou was released over a decade ago it was an amazing African American drama and Meagan had a very important role in that movie. I still think its Meagan’s best work. Meagan was also in a film called “Brick” last year but her part was small.

Meagan is currently starring in a film called “The Love Guru” its a comedy and it is being filmed right here in Toronto! I wish Meagan well and I hope it works for her. After “The Love Guru” Meagan will be starring in a controversial film called “Sundays in Fort Greene” Meagan will be playing a lesbian in this movie. Its nice to see Meagan try to expand her craft as an actress and try new roles.

When are we going to see some serious dramas about black women that are female centered? And no I am not talking about “Dreamgirls.” “Dreamgirls” in my mind was nothing special it certainly wasn’t a serious drama it was a musical. Oprah can’t save the world you know. Black men have always had it easier then black women and other women of colour in Hollywood. Why isn’t Parminder Nagra a bigger star? Yes Parminder is on ER but I mean I think she can do a lot more then that. What is Lucy Liu up to these days?

I just wish the day will arrive when more then just two black women at a time can be big stars and get high profile roles. In the 1980s to mid 1990s it was Whoopi Goldberg and Angela Bassett and now its Halle Berry and Queen Latifah. People also need to discern that stars are created by the Hollywood dream factory there is a network of TV shows such as Entertainment Tonight, magazines, radio, internet, even the tabloids have a role in creating a star. However, for women of colour in Hollywood its just harder. And I commend all these ladies for actually trying to make it in this crazy world called Hollywood. People also have to remember movies aren’t just entertainment. Movies are very important in popular culture because messages are sent through the films.

A lot of people have been complaining forever that there are only a few solid movies with an all black cast per year? People need to pay attention and demand more. Perhaps even get involved? I’ve written a play that I hope will be produced one day because I am tired of all the crap that is being released from the vault in Hollywood. There is so much more to the black experience that needs to be explored.