It goes without saying that racism is an extremely sensitive subject. I would prefer to avoid the topic in my blog, but I do have some thoughts regarding the recent furor over the City of Sacramento not showing "Breakfast at Tiffany's" because of racism charges.
A group called the Council of Asian Pacific Islanders Together for Advocacy and Leadership protested to the city, saying that Mickey Rooney's character was offensive. The movie was going to be shown at a free outdoor event sponsored by the city. It was replaced by a movie called "Ratatouille".
I do understand the point that Rooney, playing a Japanese man, reinforced sensitive stereotypes. But the movie was a comedy - and Rooney was even quoted in the Sacramento Bee this morning saying, "Blake Edwards, who directed the picture, wanted me to do it because he was a comedy director. They hired me to do this overboard, and we had fun doing it."
Comedy performers - whether in a movie or on stage - constantly poke fun at stereotypes, whatever they may be. That is how they get paid! Plus consider that "Breakfast at Tiffany's" was made in 1961. There were things done back then that probably would not be done today. But this is certainly a classic movie, and maybe it just warrants a brief discussion before showing it.
Now I just said it probably would not be done today. Well, I just saw "Tropic Thunder" this weekend...what about Robert Downey Jr playing a black man? It is actually part of the plot in this crazy, but funny Ben Stiller movie. Downey plays a white actor who undergoes surgery in order to play the part of a black man. Again, it is comedy, and it leads to lines that help make the movie more funny.
I am also reminded of a joke that I have told a few times. It starts out sounding like it will be a racist joke. When I have told it, my friends - before hearing the punchline - can't believe that I am telling such a joke, because it just isn't me. It asks, "what do you call a black man flying an airplane?" The answer: "A pilot, you racist". Again for me, it is more about the shock that I might be telling such a joke in the first place, which garners more laughs when they hear the punchline. I was embarrassed once - probably the last time I told it. There was one person in the group who I had not met before. He proceeded to fire off two or three actual racist jokes. I was very sorry that my joke led to this, and I think it made it uncomfortable for all of us.
Does racism still exist in our society today? Absolutely. But I think we all can be a little less sensitive in analyzing every thing that may come up. Let's try to focus on the big picture.
Posts
3 comments:
gotta give you snaps for taking on such a topic. I think we're overly judgmental/critical, etc about a whole lot of topics. For all of our 'advancement' we still like to pigeonhole everything/everyone into tidy little pc packages. The truth is, coming from an artist, the beauty of life is in the personality of it. Life is tricky enough to navigate. Lighten up and have a laugh or two. I'm happy to offer up my Irish kin for a good belly laugh. Plenty of stereotyping to play with there, just ask my red-headed, drunken ancestors.
You know Dave, I had a blog earlier this year called "Grey like Me", and I explored race as it relates to me being from a Mexican/American family. I really looked at what it means to me living in our culture and having to see "my people" on both sides of the racism fence. What started out as a forum to discuss people like me, and there are a lot of us, became something ugly and personal. I dealt with so much hate from people who call this country "theirs" because their skin is white and anyone of color is an alien here. I am serious, it got so bad I just stopped blogging about it! With that said, I am the first one to poke fun at myself, my Mexican family as well as my Scottish heritage. I am proud to be a kilt wearing, brown skinned, tequila drinking Rogue, and I am always the first to laugh at myself. I think Sacramento missed the point on this one, and should have shown the movie for what it is. They could have shown Team America next so that people can see how funny it is to make fun of white Americans too! How about Blazing Saddles, or for that matter Airplane! I gues what I am saying is there is no easy way to approach race in America. I think it best for everyone to lighten up and not be so sensitive, but at the same time, some people cross the line and the joke becomes something sinister and destructive. As long as their is multi-cultural societies, there will be hurt feelings, but that allows growth and understanding! It is when one culture becomes dominant in a society you have problems as they polarize themselves from the rest of society and the world. Look to any ancient civilization that dominated other societies to see what happens. Heck, look to our own country's early history to see how our dominant European ancestors dealt with other cultures be they from Africa or indiginous to America!
Yes, sometimes the jokes go too far. But as far as poking fun at everyone, have you ever gone to a Bobby Slaton comedy show?
But that is terrible about your previous blog. I know those people with those thoughts are the minority - but they are still out there.
Post a Comment