"42" changed my stance on "Black Struggle" movies...

[Easy-E]

No matter how sanitized or vanilla or cookie cutter these types of films are; we really need them.

Over the last couple of years; I've ignored films like these; where the prime plot is either racism or poor Afro-Americans just strugglin'.

42 is very Disney-ish & even cookie cutter. It's the same thing as a lot of light-hearted Jim Crow era movies;

brave white man puts his rep on the line, black guys just must not fight back, there's always that one white guy who sees the the light and starts hanging with the black guys, there's that one overly racist white guy everyone hates, black guys win at the end...
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But, films like these are still needed.

I still don't like this dehumanizing tone where it's all up to Jackie, by himself, it not fight back. HE'S STILL A HUMAN and fighting back wouldve shown him as just that.

If I were to change anything; First, way more Nicole Beharie and the movie couldve shown more of Jackie's struggle to keep it together more than that one scene after that Philly manager was going in on him.

This is our (ALL AMERICANS, not just Afro-Amer') history and it happened.

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Overall, it was a great film and I enjoyed watching it.

On the real; I want to see 12 Years a Slave, now. But...

There still are those films that are basically struggle-porn. I'm still never watching Precious [I've heard enough ]. And 12 Years may be the same...

Lot of films satirized and take the legacy of racism too lightly,

And these "discussions" sparked by film never seem to be follow by a real political movement.

But, I still believe ppl need the history and it's modern legacy put into a package that is able to be understood and entertaining, at the same time.

 

[Clark Wayne]

I definitely feel you. And what's even worse is that although the actors do an amazing job in the roles, it seems like these are the only roles where blacks get any type of acclaim or major award.

I do however recommend 12 Years though, based on a true story that not a lot of people know about and I even heard it might be incorporated into schools. It might be a hard watch but the cast is amazing and it was written and directed by black men as well.

 

[Banned Account12]

op whats your favorite "black struggle" movie if you have one?

 

[Easy-E]

I definitely feel you. And what's even worse is that although the actors do an amazing job in the roles, it seems like these are the only roles where blacks get any type of acclaim or major award.

I do however recommend 12 Years though, based on a true story that not a lot of people know about and I even heard it might be incorporated into schools. It might be a hard watch but the cast is amazing and it was written and directed by black men as well.

42 could have used a better writing job, but, Chadwick was great ( & Nikki).

I thought they spent too much time on the same ol same Civil Rights Era tropes (White Only Hotels and bathrooms, white players arguing amongst themselves, etc.) and on Jackie's mindstate. It did start to feel like the Branch Rickey movie.

Watching the NAACP Awards rubbed me the wrong way, because, I was still on that " Too many slave movies" tip. And really, The Butler and 12 Years really has moved Hollywood. And I'm not sure, anymore, if that's a bad thing.

I know imma struggle with it; 42 had it's moments. I hope it as bad as when I re-watched Rosewood as an adult.

Only thing is; will this lead to more neutral/normal roles for black ppl.

For example; Kerry Washington was nominated for Peeples. It wasn't too bad & and it was just Black people (albeit super successful) living there lives and dealing with normal issues outside of racism.

 

[Easy-E]

op whats your favorite "black struggle" movie if you have one?

Rosewood, for all the wrong reasons...

But, Glory Road is a very close 2nd...a breh didn't even realize there was a time racist didn't think we were smart enough to play basketball .