WEDNESDAY THOUGHTS: IMAGES

The 1938 film "Kentucky", starring Loretta Young, was on television this morning. 

I've seen it twice. 

As an Afican-American woman, who's lived through "colored", "Negro", "Black", "Afro-American" and the like, and witnessed "Black History Week" morph into a whole month, I wondered if one can actually watch a film like "Kentucky" in 2011 and just be entertained?

Each time one hears "Yessuh boss", does it do something to one's insides? 

Is little "Susie Mae" with her braids sticking out all over the place, regarded any differently than Pippi Lingstockings? 

Is the maid any different than Shirley Booth's "Hazel"? 

When one sees the starched and pressed dignity, and hears the articulate dialogue of the white actors alongside the labored mumbles, drawls, unnecessary laughter, and shabby costumes of the black actors, is the deliberate difference too much to take? 

Just when you're about to change the channel, you become keenly aware that the cast of uncredited actors could probably tell quite a story of their own. Maybe they didn't feel demeaned at all. They were after all, ACTING. 

Who were they? 

Where are they, or their offspring now?

Every time I watch an old movie or classic TV show, I wonder about the fate of the obscure actors in the scenes, and if anyone has bothered to document their participation.

It's not a new revelation, but as a lover of old movies, I've always noted the manner in which African-American actors and actresses were so frequently portrayed. 

"Kentucky" is a period piece, I know, but are we being portrayed with any more, or less dignity in movies today? 

When African-Americans are in control of how African-Americans are represented on the big and small screen, are we doing any better to improve the way we are perceived, or just feeding into long existing stereotypes, and keeping some viewers comfortable with the tropes and opinions they prefer?

I hate to say it, but based on some contemporary videos and films, I'd rather watch "Kentucky".

ThisTV, a favorite network of mine, is airing "Ana Lucasta" with Eartha Kitt and Sammy Davis, Jr. tonight. 

I'll be watching.

I suppose we have come a long way in film and TV, and have lots to applaud, but we still have a long way to go.

#representationmatters