We are so used to being portrayed, and portraying ourselves as buffoons, criminals and ho’s in mainstream media (The Wayans, BET, every almost every Tyler Perry project)- that we don’t realize how racist and damaging it is to our own collective image of ourselves- and of how people see African-Americans around the world.

Michael Bey- the film’s Director did not see anything wrong with the characters- even when told that people saw them as insensitive streotypes. He didn’t even pause to contemplate it. That’s the problem! When Black people accept the images, other people see them as acceptable ways to portray us. If the Wayans, or Tyler Perry can do it- it’s okay for Michael Bey to do it too.

The last line of Spike Lee’s “Do The Right Thing” is just as relevant on it’s 20th Anniversary…. Black People- “Wake Up!”

Its really a sad thing too…because girl wanted to see this movie too…damn! they fucked us up with that “we dont really do that much reading”….

WELL FORTUNATELY THAT B.S DO NOT PERTAIN TO ME!! so im not offended directly but i am offended indirectly…the downside to this is that its almost true…so its up to us as a black ppl to do better and stop giving them reason to stereostype us in this manner… but just think before they stereotyped us it was the native-americans first…

If u are black and ur not at the least offended by this, its a shame. what they gotta do, make Optimus Prime call them niggaz to drive the point home?

I’m sick of shit like this in 2009. Real talk.

Dlshepp,you made the comment if “most” of us could stop acting ignorant…I highly doubt that you’ve met “most” of us, since there are approximately 13 million of us in the US alone. That statement comes from mere ignorance on your part…might want to fix that!

Zimboa07, you said a lot of people talk and act just like that, so we bring this on “ourselves”. Who is “we” and “ourselves”? (Oh and by the way the word is spelled o-u-r-s-e-l-v-e-s.)
Further, if you refer to the African-American community, who do you suggest we act like? Any suggestion at all?

BIG_DT76, I totally agree, we do have a lot of bigger fish to fry, but I ask you to remember that while this may seem insignificant, it is indeed, the little foxes that spoil the vine. While we guard against what seems to be the more ominous threats, we must not be complacent in those things that chip away a little a a time, at what we strive to accomplish. Those little piles of chippings will eventually turn into very damaging piles if left unchecked.
Finally, Tgodslittlegirl, Beautiful! Wonderfully,intelligently, eloquently and effectively said.

I would suggest that it is not the African American community who needs to “get over” amything. As Billy Joel said in one of his most famous songs “we didn’t start the fire”, yet the responsibility of putting it out has always been placed squarely on our shoulders. We will put it out. It is our destiny to do so! However, for those of you, who don’t know or don’t care to know about our struggle, you don’t have to participate. Just please, get out of the way!

They don’t read much either. They don’t even read the size of their pants.

Hell, I go to the club and rich athletes and stuff wear t-shirts and tattoos.

I’d talk about that shiz too. It’s not Bay’s fault if that’s what 90% of all brothers are acting like. It’s not a stereotype if it’s a majority, it’s an accurate depiction of a bunch of bums.