Correct, But Quite Extreme

While watching the films Ethnic Notions and Classified X, I could not help but to think that even though a majority of the ways blacks were portrayed were incorrect and exaggerated, there were also things pointed out that were true for anyone in Hollywood: black or white. I agree that the Sambo and most of the other characters negatively portray African American culture. The Mammy, on the other hand, would have been portrayed accurately in any film whether she was light or dark skinned. She was shown as a fat, happy, and docile woman who would protect the house. There was no sexual attention drawn to her. I believe that any color nanny figure could be portrayed that way to show that she is devoted to the family. Mrs. Doubtfire was a fat happy, docile woman who would do anything for the family. Even though she was a man in disguise, she was a positive character and it was pointed out in the film that she was also very unattractive. The only way the Mammy was a negative influence on how people viewed the African American race was in the respect of her being a servant of the family. As you can see, I agree, yet disagree with Ethnic Notions' portrayal of the Mammy. I basically agreed with all of the points that Classified X made, even though Van Peebles took many of his examples to an extreme. The movie did what it was made for though; it got the point across that blacks were looked down upon in all film roles until a black person got behind the camera. This semester will be an interesting one and I look forward to seeing and hearing the viewpoints of my classmates, teachers, and the filmmakers.