I have to say that I agree with Too Tots. Someone like Zoe Saldana would b perfect 4 that role, but realistically Hollywood is still controlled by the “White Man.” And sad & very unfortunate that after so many yrs of fighting 4 what we deserve n this country we still keep having da same conversation.

HELLO PEOPLE,

they could have gotten Thandie Newton, for one she is an excellent actress. the only reason, angie got the damn part was because, Brad Pitt is producing the shit.

THIS IS A BUNCH OF BS, UM HOW ABOUT ROSARIO DAWSON TO PLAY THE PART??? HELLOOOOOOOOOOOO

@ 15..Thats what I was thinking…They could have easily gotten Thandie Newton.

But Angelina is not a bad choice..

I’m sorry, this comment made me laugh out loud:

“And while you’re naming actresses that could have played this role, what about Karyn Parsons (Hillary, FP of Bel Air). I’m sure there are many starving actresses out here to play this part. But they needed a big name. I find this SAD!!!”

Carolina, they don’t want this to be some straight-to-video project that nobody will ever see. Yes, “Hillary” from Fresh Prince might actually look like Marianne Pearl, but what is the last film you’ve seen her in??? Does she have the acting range? Have you ever even seen her in anything BESIDES Fresh Prince, which ended years ago?

This is intended to be a big, Hollywood movie. You guys are suggesting some actresses who haven’t demonstrated the capability to even carry a film, all in the name of authenticity.

Go ahead and get mad, and huff and puff about a black person should have been playing the role. If Marianne Pearl wanted Angelina Jolie to play it, then nothing else should matter. I am sure nobody was up in arms when Halle Berry was announced as playing a white woman. It shows that the playing field is more even now. I’m NOT saying that it’s EVEN, just more even. Too Tot, I am sure even you can admit we’ve come a long way from the days of Stepin Fetchit and Hattie McDaniel. We’ve come a long way, and we still have a long ways to go. But we’re getting there.

I am sure this adaptation will be well done, and will shed light on the war in Iraq and the tragic, senseless death of Daniel Pearl. You know, REAL issues. That’s my two cents.

Movies are made to make money, Angela Jolie will bring in that MONEY.
And I don’t have a problem with her portraying this role.

Totally Off topin: This for you Bill, because you’re the best at being who you are!
http://www.youtube.com/wa...ode%3Drelated%26search%3D

http://www.youtube.com/wa...ode%3Drelated%26search%3D

Oops I meant Totally off Topic**

Angelina’s daddy Jon Voit was tippy toeing in the ethnic garden bush…. cause truth be told her french mama looks quite ethnic and dark if you ask me…

It ultimately doesn’t bother me that much. I’m glad the story is being told. Marianne is an incredible person who is no stranger to tragedy. Her father was a manic depressive and threatened suicide often–leaving her mother to constantly rescue him and pick up the peices…ultimately he was successful.

I can’t wait to see the movie.

I think Angelina looks great in that role. She is pulling it off.

IT’S FINE WITH ME. IN HALLE BERRY NEW MOVIE SHE WILL BE PLAYING A WHITE WOMAN I DON’T HER ANYBODY TALKING ABOUT THAT

I wouldn’t go so far as saying that it is modern day black face. but I do feel that it is still deep. The reality is : Unless they are entertainers or sports figures, how many movies get made about ordinary Black people who had extraordinary things happen to them? I can’t think of not one. Ms. Pearl’s case, this issue affected the entire nation, b/c it ties in to all the struggles in the Middle East etc., and teh fact that her husband was a Wall Street Journal reporter. Further more she has shown uncomparable resilience in the face of a tragedy that would have broken many, so her story appeals to the entire nation. I think taking away the fact that she is a black woman from the story is a sad thing. Unless some part of this movie shows her speaking to Afro-cuban relatives who actually look Black, judging by the pictures of Angelina, someone new to the story will never know that this figure being immortalized in this movie is also of black descent.

I have to say, that I do have a problem with this. The one time where a regular Black citizen is the central figure of a movie, and her Blackness is quietly left out. Years and years later, when someone who wasn’t born yet watches this movie, they won’t knwo that one detail. Small as it is, why is it being omitted?

I don’t know if this was done more to appeal to the mass audience who will be watching or more to just disregard what they feel is a quality they would rather not ackowledge.

on Tuesday, October 10, 2006 @ 4:44 pm

sesamestreet said:
——————————————————————————–

Totally Off topin: This for you Bill, because you’re the best at being who you are!
http://www.youtube.com/wa...ode%3Drelated%26search%3D

http://www.youtube.com/wa...ode%3Drelated%26search%3D

——————————————————————————–
Bill Said:
Thank you Honey !!

I feel you love all the way here in New Jersey !

Love ya like a play cousin !!!

How ya know I like DeBarge ??
And Guess what: I’m a BIG Switch fan..
Remember Switch (those were El Debarge’s Brother’s in Switch, Bobby Debarge singing Falsetto).

Their FIRST Album came out back in 1978
here’s a review from Amazon of the Album that I own by Switch (unfortunatly, I can’t find video)
With songs custom-made for those tender moments up at Inspiration Point (”There’ll Never Be,” “I Wanna Be Closer,” “I Call Your Name,” “Love Over And Over Again”), Switch was a hot Motown band who came on the scene at a time when that label really needed them. At the time of Switch’s debut release in 1978, Motown had lost The Four Tops, The Temptations, Martha Reeves, The Marvelettes and Mary Wells, and had also been without The Jackson 5 for a couple of years. Of the star artists that remained, only Stevie Wonder still had mass appeal with the younger crowd. Switch and Rick James were Motown’s (successful) effort at turning that trend. The creative mainstays of the band of multi-instrumentalists were Bobby DeBarge and Greg Williams, who wrote and produced the bulk of Switch’s hits. (Bobby wrote some beautiful songs with his sister, Bunny, for some of the group’s later albums.) Switch was obviously quite adept at churning out songs to get busy by, but they got down too, on cuts like “Best Beat In Town,” “We Like To Party,” “You Pulled A Switch,” and “Go On Doin’ What You Feel.” I feel the inclusion of a few songs (”I Wanna Be With You,” “Why’d You Let Love Fall,” and “This Is My Dream”) would have made this collection 5 stars. The group was outstanding in concert, and was a big hit with the ladies. Bobby DeBarge was an outstanding singer, as well as a crack writer and producer. But perhaps his greatest gift to popular music was the introduction of his brother, El. Bobby was a huge influence on his younger brother. El grew to have a singing style very similar to that of his mentor. He also became a reknowned writer and producer. Bobby DeBarge produced the first album on the family act (DeBarge) led by El. Switch’s star seemed to fade just as that of DeBarge rose. After 5 lps for Motown, Bobby and brother Tommy left Switch, and the group left Motown for Total Experience Records, before fading from sight. When El and sister Bunny left DeBarge for the solo spotlight, Bobby took their place in a four-man version of DeBarge. The one album from that union, “Bad Boys,” was a good effort produced by Bobby and brother James. Sadly, Bobby and his solo-star brother Chico were incarcerated on drug charges soon after that album. Bobby DeBarge contracted AIDS from drug use while behind bars. By the time he was released, he was in very ill health. But he released a solo album, “It’s Not Over,” before his tragic death. It had a very up-to-date sound and is worth looking for. Chico DeBarge served his time and has returned to the charts. He has insisted in interviews since his release, that he and Bobby were not involved in drug dealing and were made scapegoats. El has had tremendous highs in his career, but is a very religious man. He has kept a very low profile since his brother’s death. This compilation of the best of Switch is the legacy of Bobby DeBarge. He should be remembered for being the gifted musician and unselfish brother he was.

Thanks Again SesameStreet !!
One Love,
Your Boy
Bill

Seriously, for people to get upset over a white woman playing the role of a bi-racial woman is a bit childish. I mean gotdamn. We would not be complaining if it was a black woman playing the role of a white woman.

As black people, aren’t there more important things for us to worry about? How about the AIDS epidemic that’s killing our people? How about encouraging our youth to get college educations so they don’t rely on selling drugs for the rest of their lives? How about the gangs and the violence that are so widespread in our community? No one gives a fuck about that, right? Address the important issues. In all honesty, I don’t give a fuck what role she’s playing because I’m not making any money from it and I ain’t going to see this movie no damn way.

We are so fucking sensitive when it comes to minor shit. That’s why we can’t get any fucking where.

OMG I remember Bill…those were the good old say *sigh* Why can’t they come back? Again *sigh*

1million% co-sign with #80 Mika…you tell em girl!

I would be mad but since Halle is playing a white woman.. I can’t really complain!

btw, Thandie Newton would have been a better pick.. BUT can she carry a movie like this??? Angelina is more intense and can lead a movie.. Thandie is always the co-star.. even Halle would have been nice but she’s the obvious choice in a way…

This is absolutely ridiculous.

Marianne Pearl is also half Dutch, from what I know. That means there’s a lot of white there. So for all the people saying a BLACK actress should have played her, a white person has just as much right.

Geez, it used to be white people labelling mixed people as purely black, now it’s black people. This is no big deal, show me the “HIGH CALIBER” actress, who’s also of Afro Cuban/Dutch decent, that was totally passed up for the part.

As we all know, she looks retarded playing a woman of color. Whatever, we all know that her man is producing the film. SO there fore it has nothing to with what her skin color is or anything. Its all because she is sleeping with Brad Pitt. He had Jennifer Aniston in the front seat to play her so it was just a matter of time. Yall fell me.
Its never about how right someone is for the role anymore. They have proven that.

They should have found a new face, in my opinon. Is that so hard. we need new faces on the screen.

Opps I mean co-sign 1million% with #89 MIKA…lol my bad

Whatever….people need to stop playing the race card all the fucking time! Angelina looks just like the damn women, let it go people. If Angelina was a hade darker, people would swear old girl had some black in her….Please someone throw out a few names of light skin black women who are A list celebs, that could have played this role. Because I can not think of any….and don’t say Halle, Tracee Ross, or Thandie Newton!!!

Oh yeah I ment to also say……I AGREE WITH # 3

I don’t like Angelina Jolie as a person. In general, she is much confused about WHO she really is. Adopting orphans and being an ambassador to poor nations on one hand, and f*cking married men and breaking up marriages on the other. That being said, Mrs. Pearl is a woman of mixed decent, so I think Angelina has as much right to the part as anyone else. She is a good actress, but for the record, she is also….

An adulterer
A woman who likes to have sex with other women (as well as men I guess)
I see her as a big fake!

Halle Berry’s next film project will have her starring as a teacher turned politician. The film, titled Class Act, is one based on the true story of Tierny Cahill. Cahill, from Reno, Nevada accepted a challenge raised to her by students and ran for Congress in 2002. The DreamWorks picture is also rare because it features Berry, an African American actress playing a role of Cahill, who is actually white. Many sources have said producers were simply looking for the best actress to play the role and did not want to base that on race.

I think this is the same case! I think they wanted the best actress for this type of role and since Mariane Pearl had formed a close bond with Angelina, she trusts her the most! i think she will do a good job.

AND LET’S NOT FORGET, SHE IS F*CKING THE PRODUCER! WHO ELSE WAS GONNA GET THE PART?

What the hell does Jolie’s past have to do with anything?

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. Geez, I swear…

Amen Pittboi!!! Some people act like they never heard of Jesus before.

I was upset when I first heard about this because there are plenty of talented black actresses that could have played this role. But I believe that when it comes down to the story being told, they were not looking for someone that ‘looked’ like Mrs. Pearl, but someone that could play the part well (and it helps when your baby daddy is the producer ha ha). But on a serious note, I think Angelina can pull it off because she is a talented actress and I think saying that this is modern day black face is a little harsh. Bottom line, they are looking to make money and they thought that Angelina could do just that. An actor/ actress is supposed to be able to play ANY role and if the story is convincing when it is portrayed by a woman of another race, she must be doing a helluva good job.

I am going to make the same post, I made at another BLOG about this story…….(I cut and paste)

I will not be watching the movie, but I wish it luck. Jolie, neither the topic, does it for me. BLOOD DIAMONDS- Now THAT I am going to watch when it comes out!!!!!!! THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND, DEFINATELY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Angelina sucks as an actress. They should have gotten Troy Beyer to play Marianne. Troy can act circles around Angelina and she and Marianne look like they were separated at birth anyhow…lol

Give me a break ……most of the offended masses have no desire to see this film . Or even know what it’s about ! If someone was willing to give you all a free copy,most of you all would decline for lack of entrust ! Stop being so sensitive !

I have no problem with it. If Ms. Pearl wanted Angie to play her then fine…it is HER lifestory. When I have someone playing me, then I will worry about that and choose who I want.
As for Ms. Pearl being confused. Maybe she is and maybe she isn’t. In some other parts of the world people are seen as exactly what they are…Ms. Pearl would then be seen as half dutch half afro-cuban period. Maybe that is y she does not seem to act “black” enough…who knows…who really cares.
I just find it funny that everything is about race. In trini my dougla friend is considered dougla (half indian half black) in the US people hate on her if she recognises that her mom is indian…someone went as far as to tell her she just figure she better than black people cause she light and have curly hair…I was like WTF? She just said her ma indian because…well her ma indian. Is a damn shame really.

Isn’t Jibs song like topping the charts? Why care about Black facin now?

@ #108 that is so sad. When will black realize that when a person is mixed..they are just that..MIXED!!

Mixed race means mixed raced not…if it’s mixed with black the people that are mixed have no rights to claim the other race they are mixed with.

If that’s the case all the half spanish be in Outrage at Jlo’s a$$ because if we go by what our fathers are…she is Jewish not Spanish.

Black people kill me…the truth of the matter is we are still steeped in ignorance as a race!

……And had the nerve to play a Mexican

#55: I was going to point that out too. I love the fact that we are now in a time where ppl r starting to c all actors for their potential and talent in portraying characters and not colors. Back in the day it was an insult for elizabeth Taylor to play Cleopatra because there was never an effort to find someone better for that part in our community, however this is a different time and circumstance. in both Angelina and Halle’s cases they are the right actresses for the roles, regardless of skin tone. If it were a racially/social sharged storyline, dealing w/ certain issues, then the ethnicity of the portrayer would matter, but not in this case.

I am not going to call this modern day blackface. I think as long as the actress is a godd actress then go for it. And if Mrs. Pearl wanted her to play it - then there should not be a problem. I think Angelina is a great actress - and she is telling a real story not a make believe one. I will check it out no matter who played it.

Fine with me. She does look the part.

what’s the big deal??

The REAL Marianne Pearl wanted Angelina to play HER. So if SHE doesn’t have a problem with being portrayed by Angelina, then WHY SHOULD WE???

let’s be real here…Marianne Pearl is PART BLACK…she’s not even 1/2 black…Angelina isn’t exactly the WHITEST LOOKING WHITE WOMAN in the world AND she’s a WONDERFUL ACTRESS, who has a BLACK CHILD…

i’m positive that Angelina will be able to carry the part.

and if EVERYONE would be honest, if it weren’t for Marianne Pearl’s HAIR TEXTURE, NO ONE WOULD EVEN HAVE FIGURED THAT SHE WAS PART BLACK…

stop being so darn sensitive black people

I agree Jewell, but let’s call it what it really is. It’s not sensitive, it’s stupid.

I have no problem with Angelina Jolie playing the role she a good actress and look how much money and FREE publicity she has given Africa over the recent years not only with her adopting Zahara but with having her own child born in Namibia.
Some of you people are acting as if she was starring in the biopic of Whoopi Goldberg. If Marianne wanted Angelina, it’s her life story or would you rather see Jennifer Aniston in that role? I know who I prefer in the film and it ain’t blondie.

Hey, I say, if she was the best woman for the job and nailed the audition, then that’s just what it is. Stop trippin’. Increase the love, stop the hate!

I think that people have forgotten that BRAD PITT’S production company bought the rights to this story YEARS AGO, when Brad and Jen Aniston were still together…

BLACK PEOPLE were NOT worrying about Marianne Pearl’s story BACK THEN…WHITE PEOPLE bought the rights to the book and wanted to make a movie about it…NOT US…

so why NOW are some black folks SOOOO UPSET that a white woman is portraying a woman of color

I’m sorry, I don’t consider her a BLACK WOMAN, and I doubt if SHE considers herself a black woman

She’s probably one of the people like Dwayne “The Roc” Johnson who considers herself a “woman of color”…just because your hair is a little different, doesn’t make you a BLACK PERSON…

Who on the site thinks Mariah Carey is BLACK???…Probably VERY FEW people…it’s the same with Marianne Pearl

Marianne Pearl has MORE Latin and European roots than she has African roots…Hell, her husband was WHITE…just let it be black people

Be glad that her story is being told and that it’s going to get the attention it deserves

It’s wonderful thing to be proud to be Black, but some people take it too far, to the point that some can’t even ‘welcome’ and ‘appreciate’ others…

Wow #99 Dee Dee sure is being VERY JUDGEMENTAL about Angelina…if Jennifer Aniston said that Angelina didn’t break up their marriage, then WHO THE HECK ARE YOU TO SAY THAT SHE DID???

Tell me some of YOUR DIRTY SECRETS #99, so we here on CL can cast judgement and THROW SOME STONES AT YOU…

TO #52..you said “All Africans are BLACK”…HUH???

They are??? When??? I guess someone needs to call Charlize Theron and let her know!! I’ve met people from Africa who ARE NOT BLACK, but they ARE AFRICAN…there’s a difference, and there’s NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT DIFFERENCE

There are plenty of non-blacks who are African…

I agree some people take the race card too far. I would be a little upset if she was portraying the African American struggle of a Civil Rights activist, BUT the subject matter is about this woman losing her husband.

There’s no color in that situation because all races have lost someone due to this bullshit war so you can relate to that no matter what ethnicity you are.

BE EASY FOLKS.

I think it’s sick, I like her as an actress but it makes NO since to me I KNOW that could of found a black actress to play the part PERIOD

#121 LOL, you are correct. Charliz Theron is more African than most of us African Americans. Just a thought to consider that people are wrapped around the color thing than nationality, but to tell the truth Americans are not the only one.

excuse my typo I ment they

When are we going to stop this entire thing with race? I think it has gone too far and we should rise above all this nonsense! First, Angelina is an accomplished actress with real talent. Did anyone ever stop to consider that the reason she got the part was based off her ability to deliver? Second, Angelina has a very exotic look and her look is versatile and she is able to transform her look into virtually any look! I think she would play this part very well and its time to look beyond race and consider reality. Which in this case a woman lost her husband! Period. The end of the story!

#68..It doesn’t matter that Africans consider mixed black folks “colored”…When they get to America, they’d still be black. Been there, seen it, and understand where you’re coming from though.
Also, no I can’t go “half and half”…..How old are you and how come you don’t know how the world really works?? Black is black and American blacks have mixed blood already. There is no half this or half that when the police are arresting your ass.

Also, you can play a trump card all you want..it doesn’t matter how much of you is black. When you look black, you are the same as other black folks with two black parents. It doesn’t matter if you’re only half or not.

Ok, Bill, why did I think Switch and DeBarge were the same group??? LOL I’ve got some SERIOUS studying to do. LOL

#93…Nobody has to label you black when you’re mixed….It’s just a fact. Deal with it! All this “best of both worlds” bullshit is killing us as a people. If this were slavery, we’d all be slaves no matter if Massa was our Daddy or not.

#120, just because Angelina said she was not screwing this woman’s husband, does not make it true. Jennifer Aniston’s just protecting her image. I think what happened there is pretty clear, I’m not buying the smoke and mirrors. What I am saying is, I’m not surprised about Angelina playing a woman of mixed race since she seems to have an overall identity crises. I have no ability to judge her, I’m stating my opinion, as I see things. If you don’t see it that way, that’s your business, or I should say, your opinion. And as for dirty secrets, why don’t you go first? I’m glad Angelina is spreading her good will over in Africa but I am sure Jennifer Aniston and Laura Dern would have appreciated her NOT spreading her legs for their men.

#110…J-Lo’s father is Puerto Rican….get your facts straight! He is just lightskinned. He’s not Jewish..and for the record, being Jewish isn’t a race.
“Mixed” is not a race either. Do a history lesson. If you notice, it’s only those “mixed” folks who have issues with being black that get mad when you call them black.

Wrong #115! I live in NYC and have seen Mrs. Pearl in a particular drug store in Manhattan..she had a bonnet on and I could still tell she’s black. She may have light skin, but she looks like many sisters you see on a daily basis. We could all use that argument you just presented…..”If it wasn’t for our hair texture”. That is B.S.

LOTS OF YOU PEEPS ARE NOT GETTING IT STILL,

WE HAVE COME FAR IN THE PAST TWO DECADES!!!!!

A FEW DECADES AGO BLACK ACTRESSES WERE DOING BLAXPLOITATION AND OTHER LOW BUDGET MOVIES BECAUSE OF THE PARTS.

I FEEL THIS BECAUSE I AM AN ACTRESS AND IT SUCKS THE ROLES THAT WE GET AS BLACK ACTRESSES.

There was a huge thing on this and Tachina Arnold, Lisa Rey, Vanessa Williams (soul Food), and a host of other black actresses had a whole forum on the roles that we get.

I dont think we should just let that kind of stuff go

WE AS BLACKS LET TOOOO MUCH GO..

What happen to REPARATIONS…oh let it go, we integrated already.

STOP JUST BRUSHING SHYT OFF…

… so she adopted an African child AND….SHE is loaded..she probably has a black nanny caring for her.

Black Hollywood’s heyday: on the big screen, Hattie McDaniel and Stepin Fetchit played stereotypical servants to icons like Katherine Hepburn and Clark Gable. Film historian Donald Bogle’s latest book documents their glamorous lives off-screen

No one tells the story of Black Tinseltown like Donald Bogle. From the writing of the classic best seller Toms, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies, and Bucks (1973) to his definitive 1997 biography of Dorothy Dandridge, this film scholar has made Hollywood his town. In Bright Boulevards, Bold Dreams: The Story of Black Hollywood (One World, $26.95), his latest must-read, Bogle turns his attention to the public splendor and private pain of beloved entertainers like Lena Horne, Nat “King” Cole and Dandridge. Here Bogle, who teaches film at New York University, spoke with ESSENCE editor Janice K. Bryant about the dazzling and fleeting world our pioneering stars created.

ESSENCE: In Bright Boulevards, Bold Dreams, you evoke the excitement of the neighborhood surrounding L.A.’s Central Avenue, home to Hattie McDaniel, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, Lionel Hampton and other legends. Why did you find this important to explore?

DONALD BOGLE: I’ve always wanted to know what Hattie thought about every day when she left the set of Gone With the Wind (1939) and ripped that bandanna from her head.

OH, and Mariah is black too!
Just ask her…I have.

This woman is nothing more than a light-skinned black. Lisa Bonet could have played this role. Why would you cast a white actress to play a biracial woman of African/black descent. Hollywood is a trip.

Kourtney: Mariah is white !

You’ve got issues Jewell.
That poster mentioned that she wasn’t talking about white South Africans.
Also, what do you think “latin” roots are?? AFRICAN roots! Duh!
It’s obvious you have a problem with blackness..and stop making those ridiculous posts!

You’ve got a point #134..many of us are so confused and are so quick to forget the damn past…it makes a big difference when white folks are STILL playing people of color’s roles…even though I personally have no issue with Angelina and this role. I actually like her. My problem is with many of these folks who want to sit up here and believe Pearl’s widow isn’t African just like the rest of us.

You’ve got your facts twisted #137..Mariah knows what she is and it isn’t white. She’s not confused anymore..actually, she never was.

Great point #136…I can’t believe so many of these brainwashed folks on this site are sitting up here saying she isn’t black…saying that white folks have just as much right to play a black woman..that is bullshit. Like somebody else said, can I tell the police man I’m only half black when they arrest me?

tyo #131 Dee Dee…don’t even try to throw the same question back at me…YOU ARE THE ONE STILL JUDGING ANGELINA….NOT ME…
and NOW you’re getting crass by talking about ‘gapping legs open’…just like i said before…YOU’RE JUDGING A SITUATION WHICH NONE OF US NO ANYTHING ABOUT….

Wateva, African Americans play africans all the time with those fake ass accents, who cares, its called acting, they pretend to be pple they’re not.

OH YEAH…AND TO #133 Kourtney…who cares if you saw her in NYC?? Did you talk to her and ASK HER if she considers herself a black woman??? NOOOOOO YOU DID NOT…

TO #138 Nikki Jones YOU’RE AN IDIOT….I AM A PROUD BLACK WOMAN

I’M GLAD GOD CREATED ME THE WAY HE DID…I HAVE NO ISSUES WITH BEING BLACK, AND THAT’S WHY I’M NOT MAD AT ANGELINA FOR PLAYING A GREAT ROLE AND PORTRAYING A STRONG WOMAN OF COLOR

“Why hold your hands out for reparation when we cannot even accomplish elevation?”

What are you saying #134, that we need our former masters to throw us a bone? It didn’t happen to you… the person that should preaching that message is probably passed away. My greats got our land through much ado fighting for it and working hard and I can go visit it everyday if I want to. They accomplished that through knowledge of who they were dealing with and getting some form of education.

You want reparation, get into a schoolbook, become successful and UPLIFT YOUR PEOPLE!

Spike Lee did not buy the rights, Tyler Perry did not, BRAD PITT did, and it’s an irrelevent subject matter what some people are getting butt hurt over. You want to do something make a major motion picture or even an independent on George Washington Carver ( I went to Carver Academy) or somebody important to us as a people.

I would be upset if Angie Jolie was playing Rosa Parks, but what significance does this woman have on us. NONE

BE EASY…

I do not like this at all. If anything, they could have gotten the actress who played Don Cheadle’s wife in “Hotel Rwanda”, her name is Sophie O. (I’m not sure how to spell her last name) to play Marianne Pearl or even Thandie Newton or Naomie Harris. With all of the African-American, Latina, and Mixed actresses out there, they could have at least gotten one of them instead of picking a caucasian woman. The same thing happened with “Honey”, who is suppossed to be a young light-skinned African-American woman, but instead they get Jessica Alba who is Mexican and French, they could have given the role to Christina Milian or Zoe Saldana who are both trained dancers. This is very disapointing.

Jewell, whatever….I’m calling it like I see it. Bitch is a homewrecker and she got this part because she is SCREWING BRAD PITT! If he were not doing the casting, I am sure this part would have gone to any one of many other qualified BLACK actresses.

Furthermore, I can’t respect this woman. She can talk till she’s blue in the face about feeding African orphans, but all I can see is that she has a pattern and an affinity for men who are already committed to other relationships.

By uplifting I mean when is the last time you stop to give a homeless man a twenty instead of spare change, when is the last NAACP meeting you attend, mines was two months ago.

When is the last time you did not degrade a black man because you feel he was broke or good for nothing or talk about that girl on welfare?

When the last time you visited African or researched your family tree?

AIDS is a real issue, this movie is not.

Is this arguement seriously going on? Does anyone have any idea what Marianne’s opinion of herself is? NO. Because not one of us has spoken to her. Race is not the issue of this movie. Perhaps Marianne lives her life as a woman and embraces both races that have made her. It is possible that race has no importance to her. She is a woman first. A woman who lost her husband in the most gruesome way, in the most public way. Does it really matter who represents her in the movie? Black people love the blind casting that happened with Grey’s Anatomy and the movie where Halle plays an obviously white woman. But now that the shoe is on the other foot, everyone has a freaking problem.

As stated above…if black people were so concerned about the casting how come a black person didn’t buy the rights to this story? Because black people didn’t really care…perhaps some peripheral sympathy but no obvious interest. Ask yourselves why.

People are so quick to pull the 1 drop theory but I have never heard white people say that. They recognize that if a person is of mixed race then it their right to identify with one, both, or all of their racial makeup. Halle considers herself a black woman…but her mama is white. That’s fine. White people aren’t up in arms about it. Honestly, all the white people I know don’t care about race. It’s interesting.

It’s 2006…get over it.

I don’t see the big deal.

jessica alba played a black woman. jennifer lopez always plays white women. *shrug*