The last thing Lillian and George Lewis wanted was for their daughter Tonya to marry "an entertainment type," she says. "Philip Morris is a conservative corporation," and it didn't help that "Spike is mum."
Her quote continues that joining this elite group of black businessmen, lawyers and doctors was historically determined on one's family lineage, although recently there had been a shift to meritocracy. While Spike Lee's father was a noted musician, he was not a member of the Boulé, like Tonya Lewis Lee's father.
With books like Our Kind of People by Lawrence Otis Graham, revealing some of the organizations and customs of the black upper class, it appears as though this group is becoming more discussed within the national media. While I believe that class stratification is present in most, if not all, healthy societies, I could not help but wonder what others think about class stratification within the black community.
I mean, if a successful filmmaker like Spike Lee is still somewhat seen as an outsider in this elite circle, who deserves to belong and who doesn't? Do organizations like The Links, Jack & Jill, and the Boulé (just to name a few) uplift the black community or create a bigger divide?
What do you think about this age-old question?
7 comments:
This is an age old question. Whether we like them or not, they will always be here. By the way, I read the piece you are referring to, and interestingly enough, the writer seemed to be trying to paint Spike Lee as an elitist, something which I do not think he is. I also am acquainted the book, "Our Kind of People." It's a good book, but I was surprised to find not even a mention of E. Franklin Frazier's 1957 book, "The Black Bourgeoisie." It certainly should have been mentioned since "Our Kind of People" is sort of an updating or extension of Frazier's seminal work on the African American class structure.
I'm a writer. Iwrote a book, but some think that it's screen material. I do too, and I would love for it to be. The ideas that I have for it is awesome.
Why do we judge ourselves through the eyes of what whit society says is upper and lower class? We need to promote more of the artistic state of mind to our children as compared to the elitest state of mind that is based in the haves and the have nots. About a week I went to a screening of a film by Marquette Williams in Los Angeles. I saw a great independent film by a passionate and charismatic filmmaker that told an engaging story about child molestation and the social service system in a unique way. The film is a dark thriller focusing on a masked man who takes a family hostage. The reason I was there is because I work in development at a major studio. My boss who was with me decided to pass on the film. Stating it was not black enough, there were no stars and who wants to hear about this type of. For me it was an amazing film. I stated this fact and he scuffed me off. As a black woman I wonder how so many black films that make our men and women look bad get made. Honestly I know why because we will go see any film with our folks on the screen. But we need more directors like Marquette Williams that are making film about black people without telling the world what African-American culture is or is not. We as a people are much deeper than the entertainment products we sell at this time and point. We need diverse story lines and diverse points of view of our culture. Please support UNSPEAKABLE and other small films like this. Here are a few links I have found on the web.
UNSPEAKABLE on you tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrCBziXs3S4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sbPkL6yH6c
oh yeah, the Talented Tenth question...
I think that class and money are overlapping but unequal thangs...
and always unsaid is the question: who determines those markers of class?
Historically, this has been mostly Western European land-holding men, and anyone who upholds the allegiance to that heritage; this is not to say that we should hate or hurt white people. For most us, they and Native American people are our *ancestors* too, so we shouldn't perpetuate the hate. On the other hand, we should not ignore the implications history has dealt us, either.
One problem is that we are at such a remove from our African cousins. The default culture often erases complexity and co-opts the contributions of us and other people of color, working poor, women, etc, and all the groups besides--social arrangements, inventions, stories, architecture, clothing, cuisine, etc.
This mainstream US culture marks us by class and race without the strength or validity of ethnicity; that comes from the notion (which has problems of its own) that you can point to a specific homeland (or two).
As an African-American with a graduate degree education, I think it is essential for me and others to question whether we should seek
>further assimilation
>further assimilation and reform
>further revolt against and rejection of the powerful and mainstream
>acceptance that compromises must often be made plus further acknowledgment that class and race are powerful constructions inextricably linked to access to individual and group success of any stripe
...
God bless you! I am a film major as well... I was wondering if you can help me compile a list of Films that are about the Black Upper Class (dramas preferably). I have a paper coming up. I attend a predominately white institution. I already have films such as "Boyz in the Hood" and "Crooklyn" for my paper. I would, however, like to portray other aspects of the Black community. Any thoughts?
Thank you in advance! I wish you the best with your major! God bless you and remember that Jesus loves you!
Blessings.
I personally have a problem with Lee, especially after he blasted Tyler Perry for his movies. Your blog has cemented just what I thought about this "Woody Allen" wannabe. Perry is talented and a self made man who makes money not marries it and therefore not beholden to the holder of the checkbook.
I buy Perry's movies sight unseen, and own most of the soundtracks. Beyond the sterotypes in his story lines are crucial issues facing blacks today and some biographical stories of his abusive youth and mine too.
Lee acts as if it's a sin for blacks to have a happy ending to our lives. Most of what little he's done do more to perpetuate white mans sterotypes than anything Perry has done.
Perry now has his own movie/tv studio and puts plenty of talented blacks to work that don't stand a chance in mainstream Hollywood. Most have gone on to bigger and better things. What has Lee done lately beside sell shoes for Nike?
hubpages.com/profile/pmccray
I rather enjoy his films. I feel that there are plenty of directors out there that deserve to be considered “elite,” but don’t fall into that category due to unawareness. Take South African director Jann Turner. Her film, White Wedding, was fantastic. I think it is better than most black Hollywood films, including the Tyler Perry’s. Unfortunately, most people have never heard of White Wedding so Turner doesn’t get the praise she deserves. I recommend that everyone checks it out and realizes what great independent films are out there.
Post a Comment