| Author | Message | ||
     Lola_ogunnaike First Time Poster Username: Lola_ogunnaike Post Number: 5 Registered: 10-2006 Rating: N/A |
I wrote an article about the TV series, The Sopranos. A reader wrote in to complain that he considers the TV series racist. Why? According to him New Jersey has a high black population and yet the only times black characters are depicted, they are always either criminals, crackheads or prostitutes. But then aren't almost all of the main characters in the Sopranos criminals, drug addicts or prostitutes, regardless of what color they are? | ||
| Toubobie Regular Poster Username: Toubobie Post Number: 55 Registered: 08-2005 Rating: N/A |
Good point. I actually think David Chase has a hidden obsession with blacks, as we are often (very often) implied rather than seen in the series. At the same time, some of his themes touch on the self-hate many Italian Americans experience as a result of race-mixing, subsequent caste systems here and in Italy, and the American immigrant status some fight so hard to shed, while others embrace. I appreciate the complexity he brings to his characters, and once in a while you come across black characters who are just as complex. I can also see Chase very subtley making parallels between black plight and the plight of certain Italian-Americans. The choices he makes are rather intriguing. | ||
| Chrishayden AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Chrishayden Post Number: 3117 Registered: 03-2004 Rating: N/A |
That is wrong. Charles Dutton was on there as a cop (who Tony Soprano gets fired because he pulled him over and gave him a ticket). There was a black man on there playing a U.S. Marshal who shot Johnny Sack through the grease at this wedding. I remember MC Trech on there ([playing a rapper--which he is) and Bokeme Woodbine playing a rapper producer-- Almost all of the main characters are in the Mafia. They are not an equal opportunity employer and are notoriously racist. Most of the non Italians they come in contact with are cops and other criminals. I am very quick to spot racism. This writer sounds to me like a guy who goes to a Klan rally and then is shocked that they are hollering nigger. By the way, some Italians have complained about the program saying that it makes it appear like all of them are gangsters. Was that maybe what the writer was talking about? | ||
| Ntfs_encryption "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Ntfs_encryption Post Number: 1249 Registered: 10-2005 Rating: N/A |
"Almost all of the main characters are in the Mafia. They are not an equal opportunity employer and are notoriously racist. Most of the non Italians they come in contact with are cops and other criminals." This is very true. Great observation. I had noticed there were not a lot of blacks in the series either. But so what? Mafia characters do not have any use nor dealings with blacks in general. The Sopranos reflected real life. If someone is that offended by the lack of black in this particular series, I suggest they stop watching and instead follow the Wire. You'll see all the black folks you will ever want to. | ||
| Nels Veteran Poster Username: Nels Post Number: 609 Registered: 07-2005 Rating: N/A |
Chris -- "I am very quick to spot racism." Ok Chris. How about virtually no light-skin "black" men appear in TV commercials aired in the U.S.? So subtle; intra-racial deference. Poohee. Chuckle, chuckle, chuckle, but no laughs. Yes, the writers make the moment and so does the real-life vision. Black people seldomly get the benefit of the doubt (or the opportunity to showcase their talent and diversity), no matter which way you cut it. | ||
| Enchanted Regular Poster Username: Enchanted Post Number: 200 Registered: 11-2005 Rating: N/A |
Thats very true Nels. I never see light skinned black men featured in black products the way that very dark men are. There is a lot of people who see light skin men as less masculine and not pure blood. I have heard them called "weak"just because they are light skinned. The light skin men are only slightly more accepted than the very dark skin women especially if he has good hair or is very handsome. | ||
| Toubobie Regular Poster Username: Toubobie Post Number: 82 Registered: 08-2005 Rating: N/A |
What's also prevalent in popular media? mixed children, i don't care if both parents are midnight black on a show or in a commercial, mixed, stringy-haired children are almost always cast as the offspring for african americans. I see that as blatant disrespect. | ||
| Enchanted Regular Poster Username: Enchanted Post Number: 201 Registered: 11-2005 Rating: |
Mixed children are a little cuter than black kids and every black person thinks so which is why I dont understand blacks complaining. Some people are blessed with smarts others with athletic ability and other with good looks. Being mixed brings out several types of beauty and is exotic. Dont hate. | ||
| Toubobie Regular Poster Username: Toubobie Post Number: 86 Registered: 08-2005 Rating: N/A |
Enchanted... I just has a terrific laugh from reading your post. Are you serious? LMAO! | ||
| Enchanted Regular Poster Username: Enchanted Post Number: 206 Registered: 11-2005 Rating: N/A |
Yes I am serious what I wrote. | ||
| Toubobie Regular Poster Username: Toubobie Post Number: 88 Registered: 08-2005 Rating: N/A |
If there were two mixed parents, then I can understand casting mixed kids. But come on, it's an insult to both black people and mixed up people when care is not taken in selecting families that make sense. Just slopping us together shows disregard for what makes us distinct. Enchanted, there's nothing cute about mixed kids. Most look like little adults, others like death, unnatural, the devil's spawns. | ||
| Enchanted Regular Poster Username: Enchanted Post Number: 207 Registered: 11-2005 Rating: |
I am a dark skinned black woman and I am not ashamed to say that I think mixed people are more attractive than white people or regular black people. That in no way means that I am ashamed to be black or that I am colorist against my own race. I have an endless list of pride for black people and I am proud to be black. When I discuss physical looks I am speaking of something entirely "aesthietical". I find mixed women to be more beautiful than most black ones but their exceptions to the rule. I find mixed men to be sexier and more attractive than most black men. I find mixed children more interesting looing than black. I think a lighter skin color helps us to see facial beauty more clearly and I think mixed people's hair is generally a better grade. Hate me for being honest with you but that is how I see things. I am proud to be black and I think that I am a very attractive black woman. I have never been shunned or ignored by black men for being dark skinned. This is all just the world according to Enchanted so please dont' shoot. | ||
| Chrishayden AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Chrishayden Post Number: 3127 Registered: 03-2004 Rating: N/A |
Nels: That ain't racism. It certainly ain't intraracial racism since it is white people putting these things on. They don't use light skin black men because they will confuse the consumer. The consumer will not know if they are latino, Mediterranean, black--once they find out they are black they will be turned off. Even the black consumer. That is some kind of prejudice or discrimination but not racism-- Sorry. They want to use somebody who is unquestionably black. And furthermore there is the lingering suspicion that such men may be more attractive to their women--not true by the way. | ||
| Chrishayden AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Chrishayden Post Number: 3128 Registered: 03-2004 Rating: N/A |
They had a black assemblyman on there on one show, too. I'd rather there were no blacks in a program that features Mafia scumbags. | ||
| Renata Veteran Poster Username: Renata Post Number: 1625 Registered: 08-2005 Rating: |
Enchanted, with all due respect (seriously), your post really hurts me. For you to think that bi-racial children are cuter than a child YOU would give birth to who would look like YOU is the VERY ROOT of self hate in the black community. And I seriously hope that when you have children, THEY NEVER KNOW that you feel like that. Feel as you wish and think what you want, but in the interest of your children's self esteem, I respectfully BEG you not to let them know that any kid with white blood is infinitely cuter than them, ONLY by virtue of their being mixed. | ||
| Renata Veteran Poster Username: Renata Post Number: 1628 Registered: 08-2005 Rating: |
Think about it. You're going to let them know this, they're going to grow up thinking it's normal for black people to prefer bi-racial people (mothers are the FIRST teachers), and you're going to be scratching your head and wondering why they call dark skin people names and will only date blondes. HELLO? |
