Comments on: Precious and the negative black male stereotype http://www.hicktownpress.com/precious-and-the-negative-black-male-stereotype/ We present breaking news stories and interesting tidbits from a conservative point of view Fri, 10 Sep 2010 19:18:11 +0000 hourly 1 By: soldier4THE-ALMIGHTY http://www.hicktownpress.com/precious-and-the-negative-black-male-stereotype/#comment-14594 soldier4THE-ALMIGHTY Wed, 20 Jan 2010 19:44:13 +0000 http://www.hicktownpress.com/?p=3880#comment-14594 Personally, I was not offended in any way by this movie! I am thankful for the voice this movie gave to many victims of abuse as well as the light it shined on communities suffering from poverty! Being that i went through the event of experiencing molestation and rape myself, it definitely gave me a sense of closure and healing. Though my ears could hardly bare the graphic language, i understand the realness it gave to what truly has happened and is happening in alot of homes this moment. I'm not saying that this only happens to african americans but i will say that we as a people have the habit of closing the doors and covering alot of things up rather than speaking up. I am only 23 yrs of age, however, i've been blessed to be raised around alot of wise elders. we actually had this discussion a while back when i finally opened up and spoke my truth long before this movie was made and i find that alot of african americans are closed off to recieving counseling or speakin about rape and molestation. Personally, I was not offended in any way by this movie! I am thankful for the voice this movie gave to many victims of abuse as well as the light it shined on communities suffering from poverty! Being that i went through the event of experiencing molestation and rape myself, it definitely gave me a sense of closure and healing. Though my ears could hardly bare the graphic language, i understand the realness it gave to what truly has happened and is happening in alot of homes this moment. I’m not saying that this only happens to african americans but i will say that we as a people have the habit of closing the doors and covering alot of things up rather than speaking up. I am only 23 yrs of age, however, i’ve been blessed to be raised around alot of wise elders. we actually had this discussion a while back when i finally opened up and spoke my truth long before this movie was made and i find that alot of african americans are closed off to recieving counseling or speakin about rape and molestation.

]]> By: Alex http://www.hicktownpress.com/precious-and-the-negative-black-male-stereotype/#comment-14225 Alex Sun, 13 Dec 2009 18:29:02 +0000 http://www.hicktownpress.com/?p=3880#comment-14225 I am not black. I am from New York and have intellectual black friends, but if you go to the ghetto, you will see the harsh realities of life. There is a Precious in probably every block. There ar no stereotypes. It does not say that all black people live like that, but it does show that there are families like those in the ghetto. I am not black. I am from New York and have intellectual black friends, but if you go to the ghetto, you will see the harsh realities of life. There is a Precious in probably every block. There ar no stereotypes. It does not say that all black people live like that, but it does show that there are families like those in the ghetto.

]]> By: Lynn http://www.hicktownpress.com/precious-and-the-negative-black-male-stereotype/#comment-14139 Lynn Fri, 04 Dec 2009 11:55:48 +0000 http://www.hicktownpress.com/?p=3880#comment-14139 Oregon, I have never heard of J. California Cooper. Very sad that she could be a great writer but not highlighted on shows such as Oprah's. Tyler has admitted to being molested as a child by a man in his church. Oprah has admitted to being molested by a family member. They don't appear able to move past it. Oregon,

I have never heard of J. California Cooper. Very sad that she could be a great writer but not highlighted on shows such as Oprah’s.

Tyler has admitted to being molested as a child by a man in his church. Oprah has admitted to being molested by a family member. They don’t appear able to move past it.

]]> By: oregonsistah http://www.hicktownpress.com/precious-and-the-negative-black-male-stereotype/#comment-14138 oregonsistah Fri, 04 Dec 2009 06:25:31 +0000 http://www.hicktownpress.com/?p=3880#comment-14138 Not sure how many are aware of J California Cooper...She is about 80 now..has numerous novels and short stories that speak of triump out of overwhelming circumstance that includle, joy, pain and some laughter in between...Why hasn't anyone broke her door down to tell those wonderful stories Examples of titles..."A Piece of MIne", Some Love Some Pain Sometime, Homemade Love, The Matter is Life, Family, etc..I don't believe Oprah has once had her on...Oprah and Tyler want to focus on this molestation..Oprah has another reality now and so does Tyler all of his movies have molestation and rape in them.everyone of them accept I think Why did I get married, and the Family that preys.... Not sure how many are aware of J California Cooper…She is about 80 now..has numerous novels and short stories that speak of triump out of overwhelming circumstance that includle, joy, pain and some laughter in between…Why hasn’t anyone broke her door down to tell those wonderful stories Examples of titles…”A Piece of MIne”, Some Love
Some Pain Sometime, Homemade Love, The Matter is Life, Family, etc..I don’t believe Oprah has once had her on…Oprah and Tyler want to focus on this molestation..Oprah has another reality now and so does Tyler all of his movies have molestation and rape in them.everyone of them accept I think
Why did I get married, and the Family that preys….

]]> By: Lynn http://www.hicktownpress.com/precious-and-the-negative-black-male-stereotype/#comment-14129 Lynn Thu, 03 Dec 2009 23:05:51 +0000 http://www.hicktownpress.com/?p=3880#comment-14129 Akalade said: <em>"the opinions shared about how it was such a steretype sound like what I hear from case managers and others who don’t know what the real truth is today and don’t venture out side of their closeted circles. "</em> I'm not sure why you have such a chip on your shoulders. No one is denying that incest exists or that parents attack and abuse their own children. What I'm saying is, can we find a positive movie to put out there regarding the black image? Can we find some uplifting, strong black men to highlight? Can we find some decent looking, in shape representatives of black women, as opposed to welfare mammies. The purpose of a blog such as this is for all parties to share their point of view in a respectful manner and not insulting other signers of the blog by insinuating that they are out of touch with reality due to living in suburbs. Akalade said: “the opinions shared about how it was such a steretype sound like what I hear from case managers and others who don’t know what the real truth is today and don’t venture out side of their closeted circles. “

I’m not sure why you have such a chip on your shoulders. No one is denying that incest exists or that parents attack and abuse their own children.

What I’m saying is, can we find a positive movie to put out there regarding the black image? Can we find some uplifting, strong black men to highlight? Can we find some decent looking, in shape representatives of black women, as opposed to welfare mammies.

The purpose of a blog such as this is for all parties to share their point of view in a respectful manner and not insulting other signers of the blog by insinuating that they are out of touch with reality due to living in suburbs.

]]> By: Akalade http://www.hicktownpress.com/precious-and-the-negative-black-male-stereotype/#comment-14128 Akalade Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:42:24 +0000 http://www.hicktownpress.com/?p=3880#comment-14128 Oregon, Thank you for clarification but I have to be honest the opinions shared about how it was such a steretype sound like what I hear from case managers and others who don't know what the real truth is today and don't venture out side of their closeted circles. There is nothing wrong with living well especially when you have worked hard to get there. I don't apoligize for my accomplishments or my living situation but I do know there is another reality out side of my gated fences and it irks my soul to see people think a movie like Precious was a farce. I read this book years ago before it became so popular. At one time you could not find it bookstores , online or even in the local library. Now it can be found everywhere beause it is has been bastardized by Hollywood but the truth is there is a Precious around every corner and that includes the ghetto and surburia and the quicker we realize it and get our heads out of the sand we will be so much better as a community. Oregon,
Thank you for clarification but I have to be honest the opinions shared about how it was such a steretype sound like what I hear from case managers and others who don’t know what the real truth is today and don’t venture out side of their closeted circles.

There is nothing wrong with living well especially when you have worked hard to get there. I don’t apoligize for my accomplishments or my living situation but I do know there is another reality out side of my gated fences and it irks my soul to see people think a movie like Precious was a farce.

I read this book years ago before it became so popular. At one time you could not find it bookstores , online or even in the local library. Now it can be found everywhere beause it is has been bastardized by Hollywood but the truth is there is a Precious around every corner and that includes the ghetto and surburia and the quicker we realize it and get our heads out of the sand we will be so much better as a community.

]]> By: DeeLove http://www.hicktownpress.com/precious-and-the-negative-black-male-stereotype/#comment-14116 DeeLove Thu, 03 Dec 2009 04:20:57 +0000 http://www.hicktownpress.com/?p=3880#comment-14116 I saw this movie on Thanksgiving and I am STILL disturbed by it. The issues in the movie are more prevalent than we think, but I do believe that it is sensory overload to present a character with that many issues going on. As one of the previous posters stated, it would have been nice to see Precious have some type of positivity so that the story wasn't so hopeless. The movie's ending made me want to seek therapy due to a lack of closure! I saw this movie on Thanksgiving and I am STILL disturbed by it. The issues in the movie are more prevalent than we think, but I do believe that it is sensory overload to present a character with that many issues going on. As one of the previous posters stated, it would have been nice to see Precious have some type of positivity so that the story wasn’t so hopeless. The movie’s ending made me want to seek therapy due to a lack of closure!

]]> By: Lynn http://www.hicktownpress.com/precious-and-the-negative-black-male-stereotype/#comment-14114 Lynn Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:14:20 +0000 http://www.hicktownpress.com/?p=3880#comment-14114 Thanks, Oregon! I'm going to button my lips. You said what I would have. Scratching my head, trying to figure out why AKALady is assuming we all live in the suburbs and are out of touch? Why would living well exclude us from reality? Thanks, Oregon!

I’m going to button my lips. You said what I would have. Scratching my head, trying to figure out why AKALady is assuming we all live in the suburbs and are out of touch? Why would living well exclude us from reality?

]]> By: oregonsistah http://www.hicktownpress.com/precious-and-the-negative-black-male-stereotype/#comment-14112 oregonsistah Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:58:25 +0000 http://www.hicktownpress.com/?p=3880#comment-14112 Akalade: I hear you sister, but don't make assumptions that we all live in "suburbia".. We all are not far removed from having "types" of Precious' in our family or having Precious'' situations happen to us "living in surburbia"....I am talking about a moneymaking venture of the Hollywood Elite, and the author having a bidding war to pay her $500K in 1996 "why" for that story that is no more than 100 pages (just wondering why the majority wanted that story out so bad", and you have some authors who also have something valid to stay and real stories, and she hasn't written a novel since, this is her only one. I say "inflated" by putting all of her experiences with numerous young ladies into one character that was overkill to me at least she could have something going for her, " a grandmother who loved her", "she had to be a sexual slave to her mother and father", she had to have a down syndrome baby, she had to have HIV, she had to be fat, she had to be ignorant and illiterate?...Yes, I have and do mentor. I have been molested and my only baby girl/daughter molested by my exhusband's family member. She is 23 now with a child of her own and I have spent my life since it happened making sure she is a whole human being and not let this experience keep her from all she can be; and she other young ladies in her age group that suffer. Lest we forget the incident last week of the 14/15 year old that was gang raped in Alabama, we know it is real... Akalade:

I hear you sister, but don’t make assumptions that we all live in “suburbia”.. We all are not far removed from having “types” of Precious’ in our family or having Precious” situations happen to us “living in surburbia”….I am talking about a moneymaking venture of the Hollywood Elite, and the author having a bidding war to pay her $500K in 1996 “why” for that story that is no more than 100 pages (just wondering why the majority wanted that story out so bad”, and you have some authors who also have something valid to stay and real stories, and she hasn’t written a novel since, this is her only one.

I say “inflated” by putting all of her experiences with numerous young ladies into one character that was overkill to me at least she could have something going for her, ” a grandmother who loved her”, “she had to be a sexual slave to her mother and father”, she had to have a down syndrome baby, she had to have HIV, she had to be fat, she had to be ignorant and illiterate?…Yes, I have and do mentor. I have been molested and my only baby girl/daughter molested by my exhusband’s family member. She is 23 now with a child of her own and I have spent my life since it happened making sure she is a whole human being and not let this experience keep her from all she can be; and she other young ladies in her age group that suffer.

Lest we forget the incident last week of the 14/15 year old that was gang raped in Alabama, we know it is real…

]]> By: Akalade http://www.hicktownpress.com/precious-and-the-negative-black-male-stereotype/#comment-14105 Akalade Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:59:03 +0000 http://www.hicktownpress.com/?p=3880#comment-14105 I work with youth/women like Precious/the alternative class mates everyday. This isn't inflated as you would hope. Many of you I am sure don't leave suburia to see what is really going on in the trenches. Just because someone of have made it out of a bad situation or were born in better circumstances that does not mean everyone has that mentaility. When you don't know better you don't do better. Do you think Precious would have been able to over come and do a little better if she didn't have some type of positive influence ( Lenny's character and her teacher) in her life? There are stereotypes in the movie but I can take you to women who have been inflicted with many if not all the issues that Precious has. This movie brought out a few things that we do NOT discuss in the AA commuity: 1) Molestation - it is continually swept under the rug with the children usually being blamed for being fast. We 2) HIV - the majority of AA still thinks it is a gay disease and that the immoral are infected. 3) Self image (dark vs light) - Precious wanted to be white because white is supposed to be better. Do you know how many little girls think they are ugly because they are darkskinned? When was the last time you mentored or reached out to a youth that was in a situation that could be changed by a positive role model outside of church? Remember Jesus was always found with "those people". I work with youth/women like Precious/the alternative class mates everyday. This isn’t inflated as you would hope. Many of you I am sure don’t leave suburia to see what is really going on in the trenches. Just because someone of have made it out of a bad situation or were born in better circumstances that does not mean everyone has that mentaility.

When you don’t know better you don’t do better. Do you think Precious would have been able to over come and do a little better if she didn’t have some type of positive influence ( Lenny’s character and her teacher) in her life?

There are stereotypes in the movie but I can take you to women who have been inflicted with many if not all the issues that Precious has. This movie brought out a few things that we do NOT discuss in the AA commuity:
1) Molestation – it is continually swept under the rug with the children usually being blamed for being fast. We
2) HIV – the majority of AA still thinks it is a gay disease and that the immoral are infected.
3) Self image (dark vs light) – Precious wanted to be white because white is supposed to be better. Do you know how many little girls think they are ugly because they are darkskinned?

When was the last time you mentored or reached out to a youth that was in a situation that could be changed by a positive role model outside of church?

Remember Jesus was always found with “those people”.

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