Blogcritics Comments on When White Actresses Act Black: Should Blacks Care?

Comment by Heloise on When White Actresses Act Black: Should Blacks Care?

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 10:01:54 EDT

Race is the epitome of personal Morgan. Besides, I have a sense of humor that is rather sublime. It was an old saying and I thought that I would just apply it to the race/looks issue. Part of being black, my man, is that we are NOT perceived as being beautiful..Hence the "black is beautiful" slogan. That's how deep the majority has projected what whiteness means. Okay. Take no offence Heloise is stating or restating the obvious. I don't mind being a strawman. Heloise

Comment by morgan on When White Actresses Act Black: Should Blacks Care?

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 23:15:47 EDT

angelina jolie doesn't look black even on her worst day? That's not offensive. Why does it have to be a a bad day for her to look black? Please don't project personal race issues.

Comment by Heloise on When White Actresses Act Black: Should Blacks Care?

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 18:42:20 EDT

Great comment. I just watched "Munich" for the first time last week. IT was a good film. Was it the star that was Australian? I think so. You also made my point that Hollywood rewards its own. Today, Jolie and Pearl had a co-interview with Charlie Rose. I can't get over how much like my mother (half Cuban) Mariane looks. I will look for the movie you mention too. Heloise

Comment by Shlogodd on When White Actresses Act Black: Should Blacks Care?

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 18:03:19 EDT

Whenever hollywood makes a film about anything it has to incorporate they're people. I watched the film Munich why was as Israeli played by an Australian who put on the worst Israeli accent of all time (there are plenty of great Israeli actors) and why was the film in English, a language that these people did not speak to each other in. Hollywood has to feed itself it's own industry. The people that run it just take care of each other giving them-self's awards and parts. I think Brad and Angelina are both below average actors but they have allot of power in the corporate structure and that's what it comes down too. I want to see and hear stories in their native natural tongues. That's why I don't buy into the Hollywood crap. Instead of getting upset just go out and see films that respect you as an audience member. A great African-American film has just been rereleased, it's called "killer of sheep". It doesn't have any over the top clowns like Chris Tucker in it (I'm proud to say I've never seen any of the Rush Hour films). Support people who respect you.

Comment by Anon on When White Actresses Act Black: Should Blacks Care?

Thu, 7 Jun 2007 14:07:32 EDT

Even on her worst day? For real?

Comment by Heloise on When White Actresses Act Black: Should Blacks Care?

Sat, 2 Jun 2007 18:32:35 EDT

UPDATE: I just read her book "A Mighty Heart" and she admits that they are a "Mixed couple" in France. And that people look at them differently. WHen they met he was with a tall, blond, blue eyed, white woman. But he married her. People thought they were Algerian (she and her brother). The attraction: both journalists. We are much alike really. She even hangs clothes on the line which is so typical of Cubans. I still do it even though I don't have to. I have two trees in my back yard and would have it no other way. The book is really all about her trying to find Daniel. I can see it as a movie because most of it can be focussed just on her waiting and looking while living in Bombay and other places in southeast Asia. I have spent time in many of the same cities they were in. The woman is black racially. Culturally closer to an oreo, also like myself. Raciallly she is much like Jasmine Guy, whom I happened to mention. Why? Jasmine is part Jewish, and so is Mariane. She and Daniel look like twins really. Things like this often happen to twin souls. They were having a Cleopatra and Mark Anthony life. Too bad I know how much that hurts. Her dad called her, "his mulatto". Like I said in my piece, the woman is black just like me. Should I get someone like Angelina to play me in a movie. Of course, who else? Heloise

Comment by Heloise on When White Actresses Act Black: Should Blacks Care?

Sat, 2 Jun 2007 18:23:48 EDT

Van, In the face of Mexicans checking off the "white box" if they are of white origins (i.e. Spanish mix), especially when one parent IS white, and people being surprised at this, then we know people don't really understand racial distinction. One cannot confuse ethnic group with racial group. Yes, a Chinese-American who is half white and half Chinese may be Eurasian, but then so are Indians. And since they trace their language to IndoEuropean roots, ergo they are Caucasian. Language, according to anthropologists, has always been the source of racial ID. It is stretching it to say a Chinese woman who is half white, is white, but hell, she sure AIN'T black! And if raised white culturally, there is no other choice. If this person chooses to beat the minority drum then that is her perogative. So DNA-wise a person who is half Chinese-White, should absolutely check off the white box. Especially if they do not have ANY traceable black/African roots. I go by DNA mix, not by textbooks. Are there black Chinese? Yes, The Simpson's wife the BabyPhat phenom model is half black/half Chinese. But she could have chose to NOT live as black if she wanted to. But in this country she would be black. But in Europe, if she spoke French, she could easily be NOT black. Race is complex, no doubt. And one racial group excels beyond other groups they are no longer considered minority. Japanese, northern, are White according to biological anthropologists, not me. Heloise

Comment by Van on When White Actresses Act Black: Should Blacks Care?

Sat, 2 Jun 2007 16:37:27 EDT

"Northern Japanese are considered white. China is the root race for Caucasians, AmerIndians, Mexicans and Indians, DNA-wise. So it is a case of the root returning to the the progeny. She is certainly NOT black and that makes her white. That is the box she should check." Ms. Heloise, what science book are you reading? I would surely love to know the algorithms you are using to arrive at an individual's race. Only in America would a person have such a messed up view of race and ethnicity. So much reductionism and simple-mindedness.......

Comment by S.Leslie on When White Actresses Act Black: Should Blacks Care?

Thu, 31 May 2007 03:27:21 EDT

Heloise- No I have not read your other posts but thank you for your comments. Its unfortunate to hear that the black children in your class feel that way about themselves and their color. That issue is one that most blacks grow up with and it has proven very hard to debunk. Imagine being a child and watching images of beautiful princesses on TV that look the exact opposite of you. Its very difficult and I hope you give those black children some type of sympathy. But it still sounds like you're including ALL black people and children in this self-hatred problem. Where I come from there is more pride of the melanin in our skin than hate. I admit growing up even I wanted to be more light-skinned like the popular girls. But now I prefer laying in the sun to tan my skin to a darker brown. I'm speaking what I know as well. I have met blacks that wish they were white and its heart-breaking. But that is hardly the majority of us. Simonique Leslie p.s. Sounds like you raised your kids right. :D

Comment by Heloise on When White Actresses Act Black: Should Blacks Care?

Wed, 30 May 2007 14:58:00 EDT

Good comments. In my original article I said "Brad Pitt was the worse actor in Hollywood" but that did not make the cut. So I am saying it now. Tom is not much better. Jolie does look ethnic with those lips...:) I think because she is so damned skinny it makes her lips look that much bigger and out of all proportion to her body. Finally, that's really why I said she would never look black: black women have figures and some meat on them. Black men love it, but not white society. Heloise

Comment by Melissa on When White Actresses Act Black: Should Blacks Care?

Wed, 30 May 2007 13:13:10 EDT

every one visit this website the answer is here. LookSmart's FindArticles - Why are Black actresses having such a hard time in Hollywood? Racism and the film industry's limited vision contribute to the scarcity of roles for Black women Ebony, June, 1991, by Robin Givens it crushes my dreams of becoming an successful actress and taken seriously in hollywood like so many other black actresses who wants to be an actress

Comment by Gray Hunter on When White Actresses Act Black: Should Blacks Care?

Wed, 30 May 2007 11:10:01 EDT

I like to watch anything with Angelina in it. That's all that needs be said. P.S. - Oprah should be banned. Quit watching that self-righteous pontificator.

Comment by Nancy on When White Actresses Act Black: Should Blacks Care?

Wed, 30 May 2007 09:26:31 EDT

I have to agree, I think Jolie "The Lip" is talentless. And she looks disfigured, not sexy. When I first saw her I wondered what was wrong with her mouth. Frankly, Pitt isn't much better. If he hadn't been in "Interview With The Vampire" with Tom Cruise (another no-talent, IMO), he would have made no sound as he hit the water & sank.

Comment by Heloise on When White Actresses Act Black: Should Blacks Care?

Wed, 30 May 2007 08:49:10 EDT

Dear S. Leslie, You probably have not been reading all my articles and know that I teach black and mexican kids in an urban school. I recommended that Oprah because I SEE IT everyday. I have the hardest time with the girls who are darker in skin, look more black, usually overweight, otherwise not the "Ideal" and then there is the hair issue. They hate themselves and often project it onto others. I talk what I know. THat show really was representative of what most black teens feel about themselves. THat they resent authority figures, does not help. Both black and white teachers agree that Mexicans are easier to teach, are better students, (maybe they are afraid of authority) and do better on tests than the black kids. This was shocking to me when I see kids whose English is not as good as the blacks yet they score higher on the tests. I am talking WHAT I know. I have the scores in front of me. That is all part of self hatred. THen the parents. OMG, they attack the teachers. Then tell you they care and believe in education. Anyway I digress and could go on about it. But believe me, black kids are extremely difficult to teach. My kids love being black. So, I agree with you it is not representative. THey both married black people from Mississippi--both have beautiful spouses (one was a model) the other looks like Barack. And of course my kids, don't look black, but are also beautiful. People swear that they are bi racial, and they are not. Heloise PS That's why I mentioned Oprah show.

Comment by S.Leslie on When White Actresses Act Black: Should Blacks Care?

Wed, 30 May 2007 05:22:33 EDT

To Heloise- Just because you saw an episode of Oprah where some black people said they hated themselves does not mean you can use that as representation for the whole race. I admit African-Americans have always had issues with color, but that is only 'some'. Most of us our proud and happy with our sun-kissed skin. Dont be so simple-minded as to think one example speaks for us all, that would say very little of you. Back to the topic- I dont have a genuine problem with Angelina playing a bi-racial woman. If they can make it believable (which has yet to be seen) then go for it. Unfortuantely some talented bi-racial woman out there missed the role of a lifetime...

Comment by sean Paul Mahoney on When White Actresses Act Black: Should Blacks Care?

Wed, 30 May 2007 01:18:31 EDT

Thank you, Heloise for speaking the truth about Halle Berry. She's awful. Angela Bassett can act her under the table any day of the week.And she's a nicer person.

Comment by Nancy on When White Actresses Act Black: Should Blacks Care?

Tue, 29 May 2007 14:36:26 EDT

When/if my life story is ever filmed (?!) I want to be played by Queen Latifah. Except that everyone will then say, "she (QL) is 'way too beautiful/talented to play that role convincingly!" I disagree that black doesn't sell. I've always gone to see ANYTHING featuring James Earl Jones, Morgan Freeman, Denzel W., Whoopee Goldberg, or Queen Latifah. Recently, when I went to see "Stompin'", the audience was mostly white. When I went to see Bone Collector, the audience was mostly white - & I know I at least was not there to see Jolie. I think at long last perhaps some outstanding actors are becoming draws regardless of race. It's past time for it. Unfortunately, the 'suits' who have the last word about who gets filmed & who gets pushed are still very much in the good old white big-money hollywood clique, especially where risking their money is concerned. We've come a long way from Hattie McDaniels to Hallie Berry, but we still have a looooong way to go. That said, I still have to admit Queen Latifah is way too pretty to play me.

Comment by Heloise on When White Actresses Act Black: Should Blacks Care?

Tue, 29 May 2007 14:17:39 EDT

Lily wrote: The point I am trying to make is when you go down this slippery slope of acting roles being based only on colour, where will it lead? Just who are you talking to Lily? I like non actors, non famous people. I mentioned names but think that an unknown should have played this role. Look what happened when Hillary Swank (an unknown at the time) won an Oscar for her role as a boy! That was acting. That is what I like to see. And she has turned out many good roles since then. Everybody knows Halle Berry can't act. I wouldn't let her in my movie unless it was silent. Heloise

Comment by Heloise on When White Actresses Act Black: Should Blacks Care?

Tue, 29 May 2007 14:11:59 EDT

DON'T confuse black entertainers OR commercialism (i.e. Will, Chris, and the others)with black actors of solid stuff. Lawrence Fishburn is an actor, Harry Belafonte is an entertainer. The British brought drama to a high art. AMericans have torn it down to its tiniest component of entertainment. In case you are wondering compare what jazz artists make to what people like 50 cent make or made. No comparison. Will is trying to get serious. It was HE WHO bought the movie rights to "Pursuit of Happyness" and that's why he and his family starred in it. Only a buffon, clown, rapper, nasty hip hopper will make that kind of multi-million dollar loot. This is why Spike Lee does commercial stuff and serious stuff. He wants to pay the bills. Get it? Heloise

Comment by Heloise on When White Actresses Act Black: Should Blacks Care?

Tue, 29 May 2007 14:06:21 EDT

Marie: There is no controversy about Jolie portraying Marianne, don't try to create one. Marianne is not an African American. When the search for Danny was going on, I never heard reports of a BLACK WOMAN searching for her husband, I did not see BLACKS out in force supporting her in her search, I never heard about her being AFRICAN AMERICAN. Black people should start putting their money where their mouth is. Opprah or any of the rich black people could have bought the rights to her book, they did not. It is time we stopped expecting things to be handed to us. Brad Pitt was moved enough about the story of Marianne to buy the rights, where were the black community, busy making sub-standard movies that pepertuate certain black stereotype. Heloise: Marie, are you plaigarising me here? I said all that and more already in the article. People read a line and then get hot fingers. I said that black people just need to buy their own damn book rights. Not even the generals were out looking for him in a place as dangerous as Iraq. Only those well-armed could look for that man...hellooo. YES THERE IS A controversy about it. Heloise did not create it. Again, Google any parts of this and like a over 100,000 hits come up!!! Marie, you are talking to yourself. I have spoken. Yes, I am elitist. My ex husband was an ordinary looking black man. I wanted my kids to be black. But guess what they came out with soft, wavy, light brown hair, fair skin, and both have green eyes. That's how much white genes he and I both have. I am not light, I am olive skinned. Finally being black, as a culture, is universal. We have genes therefore behaviors in common. One thing is that curly pony tail she wears on her head. That is SO very black. That's black, no doubt about it. That's why people swore Cleopatra was black. She wore her hair the same way, only at the nape of her neck. The woman is black, not African American, not American. Hell, she ain't even French, she's a national or an immigrant, bet money on that. The woman is a black woman and she looks like one with that ponytail on top of her head. I wore one just like it for years. Don't see white women wearing it do ya? NO. Heloise

Comment by Heloise on When White Actresses Act Black: Should Blacks Care?

Tue, 29 May 2007 13:54:12 EDT

First: We ALL get why Jolie got the part. I said it in the article...she's sleeping with the boss. Also, Mariane wanted her to play her. Who doesn't want someone glamorous to play them? Jolie is a movie star, we get that too. I don't happen to like movie stars, but great acting. That's what turns me on, not big names with big hair attached to it. Sheila, we or rather I DID clarify that Jolie did not wear a tan nor makeup. I saw that yesterday. And if you look at the trailer, she looks like her normal color. Stop saying people are part black. Forget that. If you are freakin living as white and have a tiny drop of Indian blood in you so what? You are white. IndoEuropean language roots decided who is caucasian and who is not. When I was in grad school I thought that the skeletons I was analyzing all had the landmarks that would make them white and not Native Amer. But no one would have believed me. Guess what? Now they are saying (the experts) that the Indians were white from Europe and not Chinese! There are aboriginal origins for all races. When I was in the Punjab (northern India) they would not let me sit with the Westerners because the Indians just knew I was Indian. Well, I ain't. Dark skinned, Dravidian origin language, mostly southern Indians are NOT Aryan and not white. All the rest are considered not anglo, but caucasian, there's a difference. ALL Races have the range from snow white to coal black. I saw a few Indians (not all) who were blacker than any black person I've ever seen anywhere. But they are not black people. As for the French. I lived there too. Are they color blind? Hell no. They are mostly racist towards North Africans (who are not black--some may be) because of their numbers!!! When I was in Paris, I was mistaken for French. They liked me, compared me to Josephine Baker, loved me because I was very attractive and spoke okay French (at the time). It's a numbers game people. Mexicans can be white or black just as well. Heloise

Comment by Heloise on When White Actresses Act Black: Should Blacks Care?

Tue, 29 May 2007 13:36:40 EDT

Hi, That was a very good dialogue. If the role was for a black woman who had a "bad" character, would the Angelina's of hollywood be as anxious to play the part? I think not. Terry

Comment by Samson on When White Actresses Act Black: Should Blacks Care?

Tue, 29 May 2007 11:22:48 EDT

I am not surprised that the monster known as Jolie-Pitt made this kind of mistake. The Pitt is too blind and led by his little member to make any kind of intelligent decision when Fat Lips is lurking around. I wish she would move on to the status of has been. She never should have been, but now she's aging poorly and still lacking the talent given to a flea.

Comment by Morgan on When White Actresses Act Black: Should Blacks Care?

Tue, 29 May 2007 11:13:55 EDT

Number 1 power player/actor in Hollywood today - Will Smith. The whole race thing was started by the "poor Aniston, Angelina stole her man and her role" crowd (like Aniston is even capable of playing this part) as yet another reason to be anti Jolie. It is a ridiculous distraction from the story, the role and the actress' ability to play the part.

Comment by Connie on When White Actresses Act Black: Should Blacks Care?

Tue, 29 May 2007 08:58:42 EDT

Gee, maybe they look for the best actress for the part. Why should blacks play bi-racial people any more than whites? I don't get it.