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I sat for three hours with Rev. Al Sharpton during his radio show the other day. Although being on the air with the reverend is always interesting, I believe some of the best conversations happen during the commercial breaks. One such conversation involved Tyler Perry films and his public lashing by 'Boondock's creator Aaron McGruder. I am not at liberty to share things that were discussed off the air, but we did hit the issue on his radio show, and I thought it would be worth a second discussion.
I am always impressed with McGruder's work, which tends to be incredibly funny, bold and creative. In fact, I would say that 'The Boondocks' cartoon can be "funny as hayell," with that kind of Richard Pryor, slap-ya-mama, tell your friends kind of laughter that is all too rare in modern comedy.
McGruder is the black Bill Maher, presenting intelligent and cutting-edge social commentary that surely makes the establishment squeal. When Sharpton and I discussed McGruder's latest bomb on Tyler Perry, neither of us were sure what to think. On one hand, McGruder's freedom of speech must be respected. On the other hand, you have to wonder when and if he has gone too far.
In this particular episode, McGruder yanks Perry out of the closet in a parody of him that describes the powerful director-producer as a gay, tyrannical filmmaker who enjoys sexually harassing the men on his staff. The portrayal was hardly flattering, and it was even more astonishing due to the fact that both Perry and McGruder are employed by the same network. I'm sure some were stunned to see this kind of black-on-black crime in the midst of a multibillion-dollar media empire; Aaron McGruder might describe this fight as a "n*gga moment."
The broader question to be considered here is that of Perry and his work. Do his films, which possess a somewhat predictable recipe involving the church, black women, a man in a dress and muscle-bound men with sweaty bodies represent the good, the bad or the ugly of the African American community? Some, like Spike Lee, have gone hard on Perry, saying that he presents the kind of minstrel show that racists in America are always willing to pay money to see.
I don't agree with Spike Lee, and I am actually quite proud of Perry's achievements. On one hand, we can argue that Perry's films are an exciting view into the life of a man who started with nothing and ended up with everything. He's hugged up with Oprah in every other picture, and he even built a studio in Atlanta that employs hundreds of African American actors, writers, producers, sound engineers, etc. For that, he should be applauded.
On the other hand, some might say that Perry is a man who has intelligently analyzed all of the really stupid things about being black in America. In spite of the fact that his films share many high quality lessons after the show is over, most of us are somewhat disturbed by yet another image of a cross-dressing black man next to other black people who seem all too willing to dance for a piece of chicken. The Buffoonery Clause of Southern life is one that would be difficult for a strong Northern filmmaker like Lee to accept, since his unapologetic style contrasts quite directly with the subtle smile-in-your-face methods used for the survival of Southern blacks since slavery.
When it's all said and done, McGruder has the right to portray Perry as he wishes. The attack, however, is poor in spirit, primarily because Perry has become successful by attacking almost no one. It's not as if Perry is a gangster rapper telling men to have sex with every girl in the world, or an athlete who squanders his wealth and tells kids to smoke weed every day (through example). He simply makes simple-minded comedies that center on black culture, providing lessons on morality and family at the end. There's nothing in the world wrong with that.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce's commentary delivered to your e-mail, please click here. 
Comments: (138)
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By: Lucille on 7/10/2010 1:24AM
The exception is the movie, "Precious". Tyler Perry was greatly helped by the presence of Oprah Winfrey on this project. Perhaps his association with her in the production helped him to see African American women through a different lens. Perhaps he can now take his artistry in a healthier direction that will have a more positive impact within the Black community.
I hope he has grown.
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By: PyramidCY2 on 7/06/2010 8:59PM
As a Famous Radio DJ used always say, "Small minds talk about people, large minds talk about ideas." In as much as TP has INCORPORATED the largest only Black filming studio outside of Hollywood, I guess we know how big his mind is. Spike, McGruder, where is yawl's studio? Aha! DON'T HATE, CONGRATULATE! And Professor Lynch said that Jealousy $hit was only going to last 300 years. I think we are in year 500 something people! Loose that hate! Be proud of any of us that get there.
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By: ASchmader on 7/06/2010 9:17PM
We're actually in year 298. In America Media is made to control and who seemingly gets controlled more than others... Black Americans aka the MOst lost and confused people on the planet.
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By: Chocolate by choice on 7/06/2010 9:05PM
Entertainment, the man is providing us with entertainment and knowledge, yes some of the movies he produced hit home to some one, and hopeful they had the opportunity to laugh a little and reflect later.
I have always seen the message in each movie or play Tyler Perry produced, and I'm so proud that he displayed an over view of diversity as it relates to our culture. Spike Lee's movie, she gotta have it depicted us in a negative light, but we laughed and kept going.
Tyler has reached the masses,a market that Spike Lee is unable to relate to, he has moved on, so by all means keep trucking at leave us the grass root African Americans alone to enjoy members of our family and friends we see protrayed in Tyler Perry's entertaining movies and Plays.
You Go Tyler, I don't care if you comes out of a closet or a garage door, I'm so proud of you. Thank you for employing my sister and brothers both behind the scenes and in front of the cameras who may not be working if not for you.
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By: smittyt on 7/06/2010 9:09PM
Why do black people get upset over comedy movies.They suppose to be funny, and baffoonish.How can anyone take comedy serious?I like Tylor Perry,i saw him 2 times in person,and i enjoyed his shows.I also like most of his movies except, the one Janet Jackson was in,her acting like her singing STINKS.
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By: derrick5 on 7/06/2010 9:36PM
Firstly,
I would highly doubt that Tyler Perry sends any messages to white America that other black actors havent. The images of the black mammy have been overkilled- so that is not what makes his films attractive. For that matter, I dont believe he is extending any stereotypes about black culture. Tyler Perry is likely the last person in line who belongs in the entertainment industry to be criticized by the black community. There are certainly less admirable people to express our dissappointment to (soulja boy, slim thug, lil wayne, to name a few). Also, I believe that we are forgettin the more poignant fact about Tyler Perry.
My thesis would be: white people DO NOT watch Tyler Perry movies. You will not find anyone in Elizabethtown,PA , OR any other predominantly white city or town spending their friday or saturday in the movie theater. Tyler Perry appeals to the middle to elderly black woman. He has made the elderly black woman a participant in the theater-attending process again with personalities, and ethos, and religous undertones that gain the interest of not only the elderly black woman, but women who live in southern areas wherre religion and the mammy-type are the most familiar and endeared. Also, his core dollars come from Atlanta, Washington DC, Chicago, Albany GA, Houston, and maybe St. Louis....
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By: Spiritually Yours on 7/06/2010 10:12PM
Yes, we in the Black Community have many more issues to discuss besides attacking Tyler Perry for his success. We should not only be talking about but actively doing something about the lack of employment of our black community members, men, women and children. We should be actively working to stop the violence and drug abuse in our communities. We should be actively discussing and coming up with a plan to counteract the lack of academic achievement on a wide-scale in our communities. We have so much more to talk about and do than to criticize one another for how we develop our particular talents. I am interested in joining a group of community minded, serious black folk to discuss how we will take advantage of the advent of a black man in the office of President, and develop meaningful, longlasting programs of self-help for our communities. Any Takers? These are things we should be doing and as Rev. Al says, everyone should stay in their own lane. Stop the violence, Love Yourself!
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By: Deanna Jameson on 7/06/2010 10:04PM
I don't think the question should be if his movies are bad for Black folks', but it should be 'are these the types of movies/shows it takes to really succeed as a Black Hollywood producer'. I'm OVER the whole Madea thing and simple-mindedness of TPs movies, but it's obvious these are the types of movies that drive black folks to come out in masses. Is that really TP's fault or is it our fault for being so 'simple-minded'? When Spike Lee comes out with movies, a lot of us don't get it or it's a little too heavy for some of us. I like what both of them bring to the table--Spike Lee is a conscious-film maker, and TP is a comedy-film maker. More of us would rather laugh than to be educated, so as they say, "don't hate the player, hate the game."
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By: Skeewee on 7/06/2010 11:05PM
I think instead of finding what each lacks, why can't we as black Americans just celebrate that in America everyone can get their chance at creativity whether good or bad.
Support who you like a big glad that all can get a piece of the pie. Let go of the crab syndrome our race seems to grasp on and refuse to let go of.
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By: Deanna Jameson on 7/06/2010 10:17PM
The bottom line is this: You can't be all things to all people. TP has his niche for what he likes to write about, and Spike Lee has his niche for what he likes to write about. Is it unfortunate that TP has a mass following of "simple-minded" Black folks. Yes, but is it his fault that there are so many simple-minded Black folks who would rather watch Madea Gets Crunk vs Malcom X. Hell no! However, that is where we are, and TP has tapped into something that, no matter how bougie some of us think we are, we can all relate to TP movies in some way shape or form. Until a new powerful Black Hollywood producer comes along to fill in the gap of giving us more serious/drama movies, this is what we got. As they say, don't hate the player, hate the game.'
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