'Red Tails' 60 Years Later, Still Fighting a War

Hey guys!

I recently posted support on Facebook for George Lucas 'Red Tails', the movie about the Tuskegee Airmen and their valiant efforts during World War II. Hollywood distribution companies did mot want to sponsor the movie claiming that an all-black cast would not sell as well without a major white character written into it. "Vote with your dollars.  Go see Red Tails on opening weekend and send a message to Hollywood execs that an all black cast can be as profitable as any other." I also asked my cousin, Lah Tere, a hip hop activist and social justice advocate to send to her followers.  She sent me a link to a blogger's essay about supporting the movie 'Pariah' instead of 'Red Tails', and asked me for my opinion.

(http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7406343060284054429#editor/target=post;postID=5119878895812692735)

Ms. Bell, the blogger, makes a case for supporting 'Pariah', a movie about a Black teenager in Harlem coming to terms with her sexuality and how that affects her relationship with her mother, instead of 'Red Tails'.

Now, here's the deal.  I will be seeing 'Pariah'.  As soon as I saw the previews for the movie my heart was riveted and it made the top of my list of films to see. Yet, if we are talking about making a point and sending a message, 'Red Tails' is the film that will do that.  'Pariah', unfortunately, does not have the same marketing machine that 'Red Tails' has. Yes, the movie has a higher budget, and will probably be formulaic and not delve deep into certain issues.  But it is a mainstream movie that will have a wider reach.  Particularly because George Lucas was able to appear on The Daily Show and make a case for this movie is why we need to support it.  This is a movie made the same way that other movies it will be compared to were made.  There is no handicap in film making for this movie.  It's budget is about the same as other movies of it's kind, the director is the creator of one of the most recognizable movie franchises in the world and the past three generations, and it's stars are internationally known and award winning actors. Yet, in the 21st century, the people who shape the mainstream are unwilling to fund it because it's an all black cast. People on the internet have gone wild extending the conversation about this issue: not only the marketing issue, but the fact that it took over twenty years for this movie to get made.

Well, finally, the movie is made and the issue is up and being spoken about. Whereas 'Pariah', I expect, is a wonderfully deep movie, 'Red Tails' or the idea of supporting 'Red Tails' has, even before it's opening become more than a film, it has become a meme. (Okay, fine, I was looking for an excuse to call something a meme.  It's not quite a meme but it has made it's way into the national conversation.) This movie has become, in a way, part of a fight for social justice and equality.  The same can certainly be said for 'Pariah', which puts LGBT issue at the forefront.  But whereas the Civil Rights movement is finally becoming an adolescent in our history, the Gay Rights movement is a toddler and at this moment in our time, giving 'Red Tails' a big opening weekend paves the way for more movies like 'Pariah' to be made and funded.  Comparing these two movies falls into the 'apples to oranges' category, but as a strategy in social politics one choice is stronger than the other.

In addressing the issue, criticism has come forth about both George Lucas and Tyler Perry.  The former mentions the latter as the example of black filmmakers.  George Lucas is criticized for the character of Jar Jar Binks in one of his movies, but as my friend Ed Weathers pointed out to me, this is also the guy who wanted to cast a mostly Japanese cast for one of his Star Wars movies because it better suited the story and his influence by Kurosawa but was also told no at the time. I personally would have preferred that he intended for there to be more Spike Lees than Tyler Perrys but we also have to face the fact that Tyler Perry has made more films dealing with the African American experience that have crossed over to mainstream America than Spike Lee has.  Again, not giving one more artistic credit than the other. His movies might seem watered down, run of the mill, trite stories of the Black community, but he has moved those stories into the living rooms of other American racial communities that otherwise wouldn't have seen them.  He has been able to make non-Blacks relate to the African American experience through his films.  Because of Spike Lee there is a Tyler Perry and hopefully by supporting the cause of support for 'Red Tails' there will be more Dee Reeses and Lee Danielses and more movies by all these filmmakers funded, marketed, and distributed the same way that other films are.

So go see 'Red Tails' this weekend, and don't miss 'Pariah'.

This is Tony and that is what's going on.


 

Una poesia a mi familia

 

El silencio fue más fácil a tu lado

Cuando el soplo de un instante

Transporta la canción a un jardín distante.

Cuando el mañana vuela en las alas de esperanza

Y en el ayer, con sus hazañas, solo hay rastros de añoranza,

Descansa el perdón en zapatillas del pasado.

El silencio fue mas fácil a tu lado.

Cuando las letras, marullos arrollados,

Se encienden y se estallan, sentimientos atrapados;

Cuando una mano torcida y un ceño fruncido

Acceden a un segundo, amor eterno extendido,

Entonces sobran palabras, el silencio es hablado.

El silencio fue mas fácil a tu lado.

Cuando una conspiración divina con fuerza y sin freno

Abarcó mi universo desde la punta de un trueno.

Y bifurcándose ambivalente entre las sombras de un elogio

Catalizó la metamorfosis de armonía en agobio

El silencio fue prendido y a gritos arropado.

El silencio fue mas fácil a tu lado.

Expuesto, pues, a millones de letras en soledad

Ni el ceño, ni la mano, encienden tu majestad.

Solo el recuerdo, la memoria de un ayer,

Le presenta al presente razón a resplandecer.

El silencio fue mas fácil a tu lado

Pues con el amor que dejaste, el silencio es apagado.

A Papi, Mami y Mari

1/11/12