Last night Mo’nique won best actress at the Golden Globes for her performance in the controversial movie Precious. In her role as what I have only heard described as monsterous, evil, heartless and downright repugnant, Mo’nique plays “mother” to young Precious, a poor, overweight, undereducated, loved starved and forgotten young girl who becomes pregnant by her father. I can’t comment on her performance or if it was truly worthy of praise lauded from a dramatic standpoint, I won’t see the movie, but I am familiar with characters from the book the movie is based on that has left me with this question.
Is Mo’nique’s win a dream come true, where women and men of color are being recognized for the content in the characters they play or a continuing nightmare where we are only celebrated for the stereotypical images that hollywood wants to see us in? Poor, Pathetic, Sadistic, Stupid, Lazy, Ignorant…lower than an animal as even they protect their young.
Personally, I am happy for Mo’nique and the win she took home. I am sure last night was a dream she never thought would come true at times, and I want to take nothing from that, but I am wondering on this MLK holiday if her win last night is a signal of true progress or just that we have reached the top of the wrong mountaintop?
Unfortunately, the awards seem to be given for the wrong roles. It was the same thing with Denzel for Training Day, Halle for Monsters Ball, and now MoNique for Precious. To me Sidney Poitier won for a more worthy role, To Sir With Love…he was definitely ahead of his time. We know that these actors and actresses play in a variety of roles, but Hollywood seems to like the more stereotypical roles. Hopefully, this will be our next goal over the next decade or two. Making more actor/actress roles that are worthy of an Oscar/Golden Globe. However, there are many other actors and actresses who have not gotten as far as many African American artists/performers. However, I am thankful for seeing some kind of progress.
All the Best!
I’m happy that Monique won the award but I’m disappointed that it reflects the showcase of the negative stereotypes in the Black community. Monique’s role was stellar but her ability as an actor has been displayed in several other works. I think its time we take a close look at the message behind the award. Its time we forced Hollywood to take a look at great acting by Blacks in other pieces of work.
I am constantly confused at our requirement that every actor and actress of color must play roles that we perceive to be non-stereotypical roles. They are actors let them use their creativity as they choose. Hollywood does not define who I am. If this is the perception out there then it is the problem of those who hold those beliefs. Let’s be happy for Monique and Lee Daniels for the recognition they are garnering for this picture. It certainly does not represent the total picture of our lives, but this kind of travesty exists and if the movie can help someo out there who has faced this type of abuse and help them, lets applaud that and move on.
I too am very happy for Monique getting this award, she has long before this proven to be a very talented sister. But I too wonder why she has not gotten the nod for so many of her other great performances. No one is saying that black actors, and black actresses should not be diverse in the roles they play; however, I have noticed the subliminal message given, that they only are given awards for portraying the type of people that sustains the stereotypes of white America. If we as a people continue to sit back and silently allow this to continue to happen, we will always be portrayed as lazy, crooked, having low morals, incestuos, drug using and abusing, and all these other negatives. No doubt about it, this has nothing to do with any of our very talented bros. or sis. let us open our eye, and see things as they really are, if we are to really make Dr. King’s dream a reality. let us wake up to the real world, and realize that if things are to change, we are the ones that will accomplish it, and we cannot do this asleep.
I am absolutely amazed that the movie Precious was ever produced. The movie is magnificent because it accurately portrays some of the complicated relationships that exist amongst all races of people. Wake up and take a positive step forward in terms of confronting the complexiteis related to incest, rape, HIV, teen pregnancy, and a will to overcome it all. Precious portrayed reality, not a stereotype.
Yes, I too grow tired of the violence that is portrayed in film, but in order to confront a problem we have to make a commitment to solve a problem. The acting in this movie was poignant and accurate. Some communities are captive to control. sexual violence and intimidation.
We need more courage. Wake up and deal with it. I hope the Monique wins the oscar. Halle Berry depicted a complex role as well and she won an Oscar.
Ann
I’m interested in why you won’t see the movie. You might consider reading some of what the director has had to say about the film – he was concerned from the beginning that he shouldn’t perpetuate stereotypes and considered not making the movie because of it, but thought that the book still told a meaningful story that ought to be told to a broader audience. Personally, I think the movie portrayed Monique’s character not as a stereotype at all but as a complicated and real human being who was monstrous and repulsive and yet somehow still resonated as a complicated person with whom you could (uncomfortably) feel some empathy. I think to break those stereotypes, it’s all the more important to actually talk about and portray people in those situations, but in an in-depth and empathetic way (like this movie) rather than simply a surface reaffirmation of the stereotype. I couldn’t be happier that Monique won the award, she MADE the character more than a stereotype.
I would like to see precious and plan on seeing it. I am proud of Mo’Nique but at the same time it just bothers me that its too full figured sisters in terrible situations. Can’t we get a positive film with full-figured sisters. I think the overall cure to all of this is that we simply need more Black Female filmmakers. More Black women in the board rooms and behind the camera making the decisions. Then we can truly be proud, even when its a complex film about hardship and overcoming.
Maybe I’m playing the devil’s advocate but can’t we celebrate that our folks are now at least winning awards?! Regardless of the role being played! It wasn’t that long ago that we weren’t getting roles much less awards! And why are “negative”roles always called Stereotypes…sorry folks but that mess is really out there whether you want it shown or not. If we can stop selling off Black Media and support our writers, producers, etc..maybe we can get some of that Positivity that everyone wants!