Comments on: Call me oversensitive http://journal.thisenddown.com/2009/08/15/call-me-oversensitive/ Writings and musings of Matt Stauffer. Thu, 20 Oct 2011 02:18:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Matt http://journal.thisenddown.com/2009/08/15/call-me-oversensitive/comment-page-1/#comment-16292 Matt Sun, 16 Aug 2009 04:51:22 +0000 http://journal.thisenddown.com/?p=1315#comment-16292 Gayon, Thanks for your comment. I guess I should definitely make some disclaimers, since people who read this aren't all my wife so they don't all know exactly where I'm coming from. Oh, and disclaimer 1 should be: I'm white. My wife is Black (African-American). I'm definitely aware that most, if not all, of the content in this post is day-to-day normalcy for most of Black America. My purpose in writing it, then, is twofold: One, to further elaborate on the subject to people who follow me on Twitter and might be wondering why I've been tweeting about the subject so much, and Two, to be a bridge-builder. It's one thing for someone to stand up for themself; it's another for them to stand up for someone else. I hope that maybe as a white guy I might have the ability to bring this conversation to places where it isn't just the norm. Thanks so much for your comments. I definitely appreciate the rising force of Black actors/actresses who are doing or who have done what it takes to work their ways into positions of influence. Every time we see a Black character on a new show, movie, or whatever, it's an exciting moment; some times, like most you mentioned (although Tereva's not a big fan of Hill's book... but she still loves him), they really do it well. Sometimes (see this year's BET awards in their entirety) it's less exciting. My lament, then, is how much my focus on those rising stars has blinded me to how bad most of TV/film still is (because, until now, my TV watching has been limited solely to the types of TV that *do* have that progressive nature.) Thank you so much for your comment, and for breaking your rule to put your voice here. Gayon,
Thanks for your comment. I guess I should definitely make some disclaimers, since people who read this aren’t all my wife so they don’t all know exactly where I’m coming from. Oh, and disclaimer 1 should be: I’m white. My wife is Black (African-American).

I’m definitely aware that most, if not all, of the content in this post is day-to-day normalcy for most of Black America. My purpose in writing it, then, is twofold:

One, to further elaborate on the subject to people who follow me on Twitter and might be wondering why I’ve been tweeting about the subject so much, and

Two, to be a bridge-builder. It’s one thing for someone to stand up for themself; it’s another for them to stand up for someone else. I hope that maybe as a white guy I might have the ability to bring this conversation to places where it isn’t just the norm.

Thanks so much for your comments. I definitely appreciate the rising force of Black actors/actresses who are doing or who have done what it takes to work their ways into positions of influence. Every time we see a Black character on a new show, movie, or whatever, it’s an exciting moment; some times, like most you mentioned (although Tereva’s not a big fan of Hill’s book… but she still loves him), they really do it well. Sometimes (see this year’s BET awards in their entirety) it’s less exciting. My lament, then, is how much my focus on those rising stars has blinded me to how bad most of TV/film still is (because, until now, my TV watching has been limited solely to the types of TV that *do* have that progressive nature.)

Thank you so much for your comment, and for breaking your rule to put your voice here.

]]> By: Gayon http://journal.thisenddown.com/2009/08/15/call-me-oversensitive/comment-page-1/#comment-16290 Gayon Sun, 16 Aug 2009 04:40:30 +0000 http://journal.thisenddown.com/?p=1315#comment-16290 Just completed a sociology class. Last topic was race in society. Usually I never respond to blogs, but this was such a good post. I like your observation of racialization of our society. Good point. I get the sense that you've probably talked to your wife about this observation you're making (right?); and that you realize this is not new. I would say that you're not "oversensitive" at all...Aware is more accurate. Stereotypes of black people are ALL over the place. Regarding movies, remember when Halle and Denzel won the Oscars? Recall what type of movies for which they won them and you'd probably chuckle with disbelief!!! Halle's movie was horrendous! And Denzel's character was probably the most obscene and vulgar one in his repertoire.... and then they received their two awards. Crazy. To follow up your commentary, there are a line, however, of progressive Black actors/actresses that are making some headway in the TV show industry. (I understand you and I may not watch the same shows. I don't watch TV consistently, but...) Check out Hill Harper (his website is pretty enlightening about his philosophy on Blacks in TV/entertainment/role models; the black dude on House; Jada Pinkett-Smith (will Smith's wife) has a new show out "HawthoRNe". Others are DL Hughley on CNN (hosting his own show. Gotta give it to CNN, I see a black person on there all-day, every-day.), and Tavis Smiley (doin his thing on PBS). (Can't believe I wrote so much. lol.) Just completed a sociology class. Last topic was race in society. Usually I never respond to blogs, but this was such a good post. I like your observation of racialization of our society. Good point. I get the sense that you’ve probably talked to your wife about this observation you’re making (right?); and that you realize this is not new. I would say that you’re not “oversensitive” at all…Aware is more accurate. Stereotypes of black people are ALL over the place. Regarding movies, remember when Halle and Denzel won the Oscars? Recall what type of movies for which they won them and you’d probably chuckle with disbelief!!! Halle’s movie was horrendous! And Denzel’s character was probably the most obscene and vulgar one in his repertoire…. and then they received their two awards. Crazy.
To follow up your commentary, there are a line, however, of progressive Black actors/actresses that are making some headway in the TV show industry. (I understand you and I may not watch the same shows. I don’t watch TV consistently, but…) Check out Hill Harper (his website is pretty enlightening about his philosophy on Blacks in TV/entertainment/role models; the black dude on House; Jada Pinkett-Smith (will Smith’s wife) has a new show out “HawthoRNe”. Others are DL Hughley on CNN (hosting his own show. Gotta give it to CNN, I see a black person on there all-day, every-day.), and Tavis Smiley (doin his thing on PBS).

(Can’t believe I wrote so much. lol.)

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