Who the f*ck wants war?! Apparently, Spike Lee and Tyler Perry are going at it with a harsh war of words. Spike Lee thinks Tyler Perry promotes “coonery and buffoonery,” in his movies, and Tyler Perry is sick of Spike’s criticisms.
In a recent press conference, Tyler Perry blasted his fellow filmmaker “Spike can go straight to hell! You can print that. I am sick of him talking about me.” Now, if those aren’t fighting words, than GlobalGrind doesn’t know what is.
Spike Lee is most notably known for making black films in the late 80s and early 90s, and is a two time Academy Award nominee. Tyler Perry is ranked the sixth highest paid man in Hollywood, according to Forbes.
What matters more, entertainment or art? The good old debate of blacks promoting and engaging in coonish behavior continues to persist, but does Spike Lee have a point? Or is Spike being critical of a man who’s trying to keep black Hollywood employed?
Tyler Perry’s films have been said to perpetuate stereotypes about black women, black men, and the black family structure. Tyler Perry’s character “Madea” is a classic example of a “Mammy” type character. “Mammy” is usually negatively depicted as a woman from African descent who is usually dark, ugly, overweight, loud, and funny.
The images of “Mammy” have affected black women’s self-identity because they’ve been thrust into a character that they don’t want to be or become.
More negative African-American archetypes include Sambo, who is usually the young black man who’s often viewed as lazy. Uncle Tom is an older black man who is docile and complacent with being subservient to his white slave master. Pinkney’s are usually little black children who run around the plantation.
All of these images and depictions of black people have been citied in Tyler Perry’s work, but many people believe that American society is no longer affected by these depictions.
For the past 25 years, Spike Lee has prided himself on blasted racial stereotypes of not only black people, but of all races. He usually addresses the stereotypes head on and makes the audience realize that stereotyping is a negative American trait.
Who’s right and who’s wrong? GlobalGrind isn’t picking sides, but you all should decide for yourself.
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Tyler Perry’s movie “Madea Goes To Jail” promotional pics have been cited as perpetuating black stereotypes.
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Spike Lee always made a point to address and squash stereotypes about not only black people, but Italians, Jews, and Hispanic people in his movies.
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Tyler Perry makes light of a black woman going to jail, but the sad fact is that many believe he’s perpetuating the stereotype that black women are angry criminals.
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Spike Lee’s movies “School Daze” addressed the self-hatred and discrimination within the black community.
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Madea in the kitchen rocks a house coat and totes around a frying pan.
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Spike Lee produced and directed “Miracle At St. Anna” which chronicled the untold stories of black soldiers in World War II.
