So...I went to see the movie The Help last night. I was hoping to finish the book prior to seeing the film, but given I was only 4 or so chapters into it and I was hearing so much chatter filled with many great reviews from the general public (and not so great reviews from more critical sources) I didn't want to miss out. Therefore, I decided to see it during its opening weekend. My thoughts?...several.
First, I must preface this discussion with a few things. Overall the film alone was good- dynamic acting, decent writing, very compelling moments of laughter and sadness. Where the film fell a bit short was character development and the whole "hollywood" effect of a very serious and real story with "happy endings" that are unrealistic but established to keep the audience's spirits lifted at the end. So, the film alone- I'd give it a B+ for effort and a B/B- for the actual product.
The next thing I must preface is that it's very difficult for me to see a film of this nature without considering a load of factors. One of the fascinating things I witnessed in the theater last night was the level of diversity in the audience. White, Black, female, male, elders, young adults, etc. Truly, the demographics of America were very well represented and I might add that this particular theater is in an area that is predominately White, so that was refreshing to see; finally, a piece of art that we're ALL actually interested in engaging. That alone gives the movie high marks....but, then my reflective self begins to surface and say "why?" I mean, why NOW? I mean, Black artists such as Alice Walker and Toni Morrison and Lee Daniels and Spike Lee and John Singleton and Octavia Butler have all provided so much literature in the form of film and books to tell the perspectives of Black people/women from a historical context and never have I ever seen such diverse interests in the subject matter. Hmmmm....
I tend to circle around subjects, but I'll just get to the point...there wasn't anything in this film that was new information for me. As a Black woman who is constantly nurturing myself and trying to understand why we as Black women today are who we are, I (like MANY other Black women) have had no other choice to find out our history and what has allowed our condition to be what it is. What's disturbing is that many non-Blacks don't know this story nor even attempt to research it given the amount of relative literature that is out there and easily accessible. This is where I begin to get hot.....why does it feel as though the masses pay attention to our stories when it is written or conveyed by a White person but somehow gleam over our stories when told by Black scholars??? Notice I used the word SCHOLARS. So, incredibly reputable people. That is a bothersome thing for me. I appreciate The Help in that given its early success, hopefully those who have somehow missed movies like Rosewood, The Color Purple, Beloved, Imitation of Life, A Raisin In the Sun, and many others will now have a piqued interest in the condition of Black people as well as begin to actually reflect on their own race and racial perspectives and how such perspectives have come to be.
Race matters...it always has... and that doesn't have to be a bad thing. This film takes place in the early 1960's...my mom had finished high school and college and was preparing to get married, my sister was born, and I was somewhat "considered" (at some point just a decade away!). Folks this history is NOT eons ago! This is VERY recent and the consequences of such oppression are very real and evident today. The Black community is so sociologically scattered. Our ability to unite is so terribly difficult and The Help depicts a very good cause and effect explanation as to why this is the case for the current condition of Black families. But, again, this isn't new in the film industry. Its not groundbreaking. Its not innovative. At least not in the world of Black film. But, I suppose it is in the world of mainstream film...?
I simply wish that we as Americans could embrace more diverse stories and perspectives and not only take special interest when conveyed by a White person. We HAVE to be more socially responsive. There is no way we can have the level of sympathy and empathy that is necessary to be productive with one another without having a clue of what each other's history and culture suggests. Ignorance is bliss- period. When you know better, you do better....
Recommendation- see the film. Reflect on your gut reactions and why you're reacting the way you are. Is it because this is new information? Is this because its a reminder of things you've already known or experienced? How will this influence how you view your own identity development? How will you choose to engage in "otherness" or those aspects of culture in which you have not a clue? Don't be critical without engaging. Don't speak without knowledge, understanding, experience, and/or perspective. Be INFORMED when sharing your perpectives. This is what brings collaboration and respect.
While the The Help wasn't entirely "helpful" for me, I think it is incredibly helpful for others and I'm glad people are having a visceral reaction to the history of Black and White relationships in America. Such responses will hopefully encourage further conversations and engagement which ultimately promotes mutual respect.
Peace & Blessings,
KMJ
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