For White People only...?

Question

I was wondering have any of you seen any of Tyler Perry's movies (Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Madea’s Family Reunion, etc). If so, what are your actual thoughts about them? If you have seen his plays live or attended any of his movies in your town, how did you feel being the minority in the audience? Did you feel uncomfortable and out of place? I am just wondering because I know what I feel like when I am one of a few blacks(African Americans) in any setting, but I was just wondering how is it for you (honestly)? I am not being facetious, just asking a question from the heart. In general, how do you react to any situation where you are outnumbered by another race? If this question offends any, please forgive me.

For all the people taking the question the wrong, "your bad" not mine. The ones attempting to answer the question with common sense thank you. To Jess: the phrase is “boring question,” not bored question.

PseudoSlySpyderGuyLied: thanks for the deep reply. I am African American (black) and I was just wondering because his plays became popular with black audiences and his appeal is spreading and was just wondering how you all feel about his works. I know humor transcends cultures and life is just that, life. Those who twist an innocent question around and make it about racism, when the question asked dealt with race only, befuddles me. I know white can see and enjoy whatever they like, I only asked because I read many reviews from white critics who did not or could not follow Tyler Perry concepts.

Project lava: Thanks for the very detailed response.

ALPHAOMEGA: I am grown…being an adult means that you can talk about an array of subject matter with other adults and come to an amicable conclusion, or so I thought…moving on.

Answer 1

It really depends on the situation I'm in...haven't seen the movies yet (I'm working on a LIST of things to see).

Here's the deal...when I was in junior high school (a private, Catholic, mostly white school) I decided on one thing: diversity. I was scared that any other race would think that I was racist...I know it's stupid. SO, I decided on going to the extremely diverse high school on one side of town with less money as opposed to the snooty, jerk-filled one (with the exception of Saith_07 and a few others that were only forced to go there) that was proud of the fact that they were from the South (their mascot was Rebels).

I was nervous at first that many of the other races would hate me and not "get" me...but after that first year there, I figured it out. It's all about what you've grown up with...the culture you experience with friends and family, the priveliges you have, etc.

I was only nervous because I didn't understand (and still don't understand) many of the mannerisms that, in general, each race shared individually. So..that was high school. If I were in a crowd going to see some famous black rapper (or white rapper for that matter) I'd still be nervous...because I don't know everyone and I'm scared my stuff will get stolen. I'm scared even if I'm in a totally white crowd...or totally hispanic crowd (which I could pass for either race). I don't know everyone...I can't trust everyone...so, I become a nervous wreck.

It's not about race...it's about unfamiliarity around those with different mannerisms and practices...in short, we're ALL pretty prejudice because we want constant security and certainty about things.

Answer 2

I understand how you feel. However, i am on the other end of the spectrum because i'm white. But there have been numerous situations where i have been really outnumbered by another race, not just blacks, but any all together. When i first moved to Atlanta most of my friends were black and when they would introduce me to their friends, i usually felt a little out of place. The place where i moved from you were either black or white. No one treated anyone any different cause we were all the same to each other, so i have learned a LOT of hard lessons since i moved to such a diverse city.
By the way, this was a really great question, and i hope you're getting the feedback that you want!

Answer 3

I can understand how your question stirred up so much angst - people are still not comfortable talking honestly about racial issues.

Being outnumbered in any setting can be unsettling - any kind of difference attracts attention, even just having a limp or being overweight. Maybe it's those stupid drawings that they give us in first grade - "Now children, find the differences in this picture!"

But I am white and I love going to see movies with black audiences and to see talented comics like Chris Rock. I've never felt threatened or been treated like I didn't belong there. I also love to go to Baptist churches when I'm down South - just to feel that much energy from people who care so deeply is amazing! I went to a college that had students from all over the world - people should concentrate on how much we have in common, not on a few tiny differences in our skin color or the shape of our eyes!

Did you see the National Geographic special about the scientists who used DNA to prove that all humans living today are decendants of the earliest Africans? It's called the Journey of Man - amazing. We are ALL brothers and sisters! Guess all of the Kluckers will say it's liberal-Hollywood-NAACP propaganda, right?

Answer 4

I went to a Cedric the Entertainer stand-up with my Korean husband, my Korean sister in law and her Puerto Rican/Portuguese husband, his black best friend with his Latino girlfriend. I am half Sicilian, 1/8th Cherokee Indian, and some European mixture for the rest, but I am considered Caucasian by all means. I didn't look around to see if I was the only white person, so, I don't know if I was a minority or not, I was too busy laughing my butt off.

My best friends when I was a child were of all races, but mainly African American, such as Sahatha and Kelly, because they listened to Prince, Michael Jackson, and Madonna, just like me, they loved to dance like me, they were the nicest girls I have ever met in my life, and no friend before or since has ever been as dear to me. My mother's side of the family does include a mixture, and my favourite cousin in the world is half black, half Sicilian, but we never looked at her different. She was Shanda, now called "Shay Shay", wife and mother of three.

I did not experience any form of racism in my life until I moved to Texas (we were military) and it was made apparent that I was white like a lightbulb. It has never bothered me to be the minority, nor has it even changed my love of movies and books. I took African American history in college to learn more about American History because I knew a large part of it was missing from the books. I do not enjoy Tyler Perry movies at all, and it is not because it is about a black lifestyle. One of my all time favorite movies as a teen was Boys in the Hood. I don't like Madea's character, I don't like the opening scene of Diary of a Mad Black Woman (which I've said so so so many times on this forum). I prefer Waiting to Exhale, Poetic Justice, Love Jones, etc ....

But to answer your question. Do I feel out of place? Only when it is made into a negative. I don't mind being with people of other cultures, in fact, I enjoy experiencing other culture more than most people because my family moved so so so much that everything is new to me, dance and music and art and food, that I crave the knowledge. When any person uses the term "white girl", it hurts me just as much to hear that ignorance than to hear my white friends use the term "red neck" when talking about other white people.

Something you can learn from movies and plays and books, is that we all love the same, we all enjoy life the same, we all hurt the same.

Answer 5

I love the tyler Perry plays and movies. I think he is a very Talented person and has a bright future. He is so funny. And I never once felt out of place or that I was a minority. i think is type of comedy brings all of us together no matter what race. I am white and to tell you the truth i never even thought about it. Race is not an issue in my life.

Answer 6

What difference does it make if white people see these movies? Tyler Perry is not successful only because black people go to see his movies.

When people stop asking questions about skin color maybe we can have a color blind society where people do what they want, without feeling "out of place" and just live their lives as they are supposed to.

His movies are funny. The content of his films is pretty much universal but told from an African American perspective. The "mother figure" of the family, the "loveable screw-ups" of the family, the "bad kid who needs discipline" of the family. People of all groups can identify with that.

I think people of all backgrounds watch his movies because he's good.

And if you feel out of place where you go, you should think about something that Madea would say:

"Feeling out of place is mind over matter, if you don't mind, it don't matter". When you start to feel comfortable in your own skin you won't matter what people think of you and people who are comfortable in their own skin don't feel out of place wherever they may go.

But i'm just a cat, what do I know...

Answer 7

I saw "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" at home and was not in an audience of any kind.

Sorry.

That being said, I travelled to Honduras recently and I realized how quickly I questioned whether or not I belonged because, well, if it were a melanin contest I would lose!!

It's an interesting experience. One that for me, made me very self concious. I know it probably shouldn't have, but it did.

Answer 8

I grew up in a racial environment, but let go of my "conditioning" once I began to participate in sports around 1970. Nowadays I don't get any feelings no matter what the setting. Of course, I am careful to examine any situation that I am about to get into. I find it interesting too that despite having friends and acquaintances of all "walks of life", most folks that I stay away from for their lack of character are those of my race.

Answer 9

I have been in several situations that engulfed me into a black crowd of people.(concerts,weddings etc).and I did feel like the minority there however..I was given respect because I gave respect..A few off the wall comments were made but I just blew them off without confrontation..I act like I always do in any given situation because its all I know how to do,if someone has a problem with my race thats their problem not mine..good question by the way and thanks for the sincerity in asking..=)

Answer 10

It is a little odd sometimes. You almost feel out of place. But when people are polite to you or really make you feel welcome you don't feel any different. Or at least I don't anyway. I try to treat everyone equally. I always thought it was what was on the inside that counts. I am white with a Mexican so I don't think I am racist and I feel sorry for the ones who are.