Why are all the black characters in many movies the flattest of them all? Why does every black character have to have this attitude and stereotypical dialogue and reaction to situations?
It’s not every movie, but it happens more than I’d like. It’s like, in some movies, the writers have this formula: Do we need more “diversity” and humor in the movie? Put in a sidekick black man or gossipy black woman, give them some attitude and eyes that roll around in their head and you’ve got instant comedy. It is similar to the overused little animal/animated inanimate object comic relief employed by almost every recent Disney movie since the Little Mermaid. Although, when it is an ethnic group used in such a way, it is a little more offensive.
And I am, admittedly, a white dude. I’m not saying that playing on stereotypes is totally unacceptable, only that OVER playing them is questionable. Gets old pretty fast.
And we could talk about other ethnic groups that this happens with, too. It just seems to happen most with African Americans.
Any thoughts?
Peace.
The theme in movies usually seems to be that the black man is either magical or funny (in the stereotypical way). Maybe more recognition needs to be given to good character development in TV and movies. Or maybe the movie-going public needs to complain about it.