[quote]DT20 wrote:
Bodyguard,
Everytime I try to get out, they pull me back in…
I hear what you are saying and I understand. I just don’t agree with you.
There was a time that black actors did “blaxploitation” movies and they were given a lot of backlash from some people.
Nowadays many see “blaxploitation” movies as just movies. The actors were given unnecessary and unfair criticism for playing roles that paved the way for others. These actors were trying to make a living and people were trying to take food out of their mouths.
You are incorrect. Those movies continue to receive backlash to this day. The movie Hustle and Flow is well panned on the local black radio station for its negative and stereotypical connotations - not just b/c it’s a poor movie. Spike Lee (I am not a Lee fan by the way) speaks out on the subject all the time. You are incorrect sir - it is still frowned upon and we are largely beyond the time when someone is “paving the way for another”. And more to the point, Sapp is not paving any roadways anywhere.
Prejudice people are going to be prejudiced no matter what, so don’t censor someone for playing a role as if it is going to change race relations.
Here is where some readiing comprehesion and sticking to the point would be beneficial. First, we’re not talking race relations. I’m talking an obviously negative image and stereotype and this man’s lack of self-awareness or dignity not to do it. It has nothing to do with “race relations”. I never touched that.
Sapp isn’t a professional actor, but he is an actor, what does it matter if he is professional or not?
I never made it a “professional” issue; I only responded when someone put it in that vein. To me, the man lack’s sensitivity and self-respect. That was my point.
Can you explain to me, how Sapp is hurting anyone?
I never advanced the thought that he was harming someone. Please show me where I implied this. He isn’t even harming himself. If he lacks the self-awareness, pride and dignity necessary of any man, than he obviously suffers no pain. After all, “he’s getting paid” right? And that’s all the matters to him, and others who defend him.
I understand how some people may be offended by what he is doing, but I think people need to lighten up.
I am light. I really don’t care. My point was a mere observation. The man is a fool…an Uncle Tom’n fool…and for the japanese no less.
I think he is playing a gorilla because he is a huge muscular and powerful guy.
If you think he’s playing a gorilla solely because he’s huge and muscular, I have a bridge for sale…many a man has played the part of “the beast” as it were…I remember pro wrestlers in the 70’s eating turnbuckles…I just can’t remember a self-respecting black man pacing back and forth in front of a monkey cage at the zoo with banana in hand. Oh yea, he’s doing that b/c he’s huge and muscular…lol.
Do I think the role he is playing is ridculous?
Yes.
Is he hurting anyone?
No.
Why can’t he play a beast?
Do you think there is a connection between beasts and black people? If not, what is the problem?
No, I do not. But the stereotypical image DOES exist. It has been the criticism of the movie King Kong for DECADES. It’s an unfortunate fact…but a fact nonetheless. And a fact any self respecting black man should be aware.
And if I can continue…if I remember the defense in favor of Sapp, it goes something like this;
- He’s getting paid.
Poor excuse in this day and age.
- Japanese are not prejudice and/or the prejudice, if any, is disimiliar to the racism in the US.
Irrelevant. He’s an American…and he’s aware of the negative image. To argue that his Uncle Tom Foolerly is any less demeaning b/c it occurs in anther country is just plain unintelligent. By the way, I’d be equally troubled by some sell out white dude making a fool of himself for the entertainment of the japanese.
Furthermore, in this global entertainment age, especially with the impact of the internet - this argument that his actions occur in a vacuum in a different country are likewise unintelligent. I’m in the US, and I just saw his act.
- The last argument I can see in his defense is that he is an actor…LOL…and he’s playing a role.
Again, this is simply unfuckingintelligent. He’s not in a film, play, etc. It’s a self-created role and a role he can nonetheless play without the ape imitation.
TheBodyGuard wrote:
Professor X wrote:
DT20 wrote:
Bobb Sapp is getting payed to act. That is the bottom line. Acting isn’t degrading.
Is it degrading when someone plays a prostitute? No, it’s a role. They aren’t really a prostitute.
I see no connection between blacks and banannas or gorillas. Sapp is acting like this because he is supposed to be the beast, he is the beast because he is big and strong, not because he is black.
Rampage Jackson is in japan and he doesn’t act like a gorilla. All black fighters in Japan don’t act like Sapp.
Sapp is a spectacle in any country because he is a huge muscular guy.
Is there prejudice in Japan? Of course there is. No country is without it.
I see no problem with Sapp getting paid to pretend he is a beast. Is it okay for whites to play beasts but not blacks?
Anyone should be able to play a role without all of this backlash. Sapp isn’t hurting anyone, let the man pay his bills and leave him alone.
This deserves an “a men”.
I’m really done with this thread - promise…you DO make a valid point but again, I’m sorry - there are COUNTLESS actors, directors, producers, etc., whom turn down roles, movies, etc., because they do not like the negative connotation of a particular part, movie, etc. Jews and blacks have done this over and over again.
And if you do not appeciate, or are sensitive enough to recognize the ape image, then you are just attempting to be purposefully high minded (which in my opinion is racist in itself - “black guy, what black guy” or you are just clueless. My god man, haven’t you followed the age old criticisms of King Kong - dating back to the original and parallels with Jack Johnson who had dated white women?
Look, I don’t like the image - but it has been there for decades - let’s not pretend it doesn’t exist, no matter how disgusting it is. And let’s not pretend he’s not aware of it. And please stop pretending that he couldn’t play the “beast” and do whatever other nutty thing he does if he simply didn’t do that one asinine stunt. He can act like a maniac and chase all the asian girls he wants and otherwise make a fool of himself. But he should have stopped short at acting like an ape at a zoo.
Just b/c you do something for renumeration doesn’t make it right or excuse it. And comparing him doing this to a serious actress playing a prostitute - although a nice attempt to justify it - is just off. First, he is NOT a serious actor. Second, he was not playing a role required of a movie, play, etc. He could do what he does sans the ape act. And do I need to list for you all the black actresses whom will no longer play those roles? Plenty. Did they have to play them at one time? Yes - absolutely - but it was the essence of the character. The essence of his character does not require a visit to the zoo with a banana and monkeys. And I bet no one twisted his arm to do it. Many a black actress did not have the choice to NOT play the prostitute.
Finally, I bet you if more blacks were on this web site / thread, far more would be appalled than forgiving.
Like I said before - Sapp means literally nothing to me. I could care less. I was just surprised his actions didn’t get a reaction from Prof. I was not trying to bait Prof and I regret the thread degenerated like it did b/c it went somewhere I really didn’t intend.
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