Reid- Chapter 1

The most interesting aspect about the history of Black cinema was the shift that occurred in the 1970s. I find it admirable that these film makers during this time took their film education and went against the grain in rejecting Hollywood ideals and expectations. I have no doubts that their rejection of Hollywood as a place to produce their work has advanced Black cinema far beyond what they could have achieved within those strictly defined parameters. My favorite line (quote) from chapter one was a quote from Haile
Gerima, "Even then, I couldn't imagine how a white supremacist structure such as Hollywood, an industry of culture that has created havoc to all human beings, could be a base for me to peacefully tell my story and experiment." To me, this captured the idea that Hollywood did not hold the same promise to Black producers, writers, and creators because of the racial barriers and stifling of creativity by the mostly white power structure that controlled  the industry.

History of Black Cinema, CH. 1

One of the most meaningful things I found in Mark Reid's chapter 1 was that despite the inequalities of the era, Oscar Micheaux and The Micheaux Film Corporation weren't afraid to confront controversial subject matter of the times such as racial lynching or criminal acts (page 8). They looked controversy in the eye and stood their ground.  If they decided to play it safe and tell stories that weren't evocative and true, progression of films would've been much slower. It was this kind of ambition that led to later evolutions of Black cinema where Hollywood genre mixes with social context. Without such brave ideas, we might not have a lot of entertaining films as well as great filmmakers like Spike Lee, Julie Dash, or Gordon Parks.

Blog 2

In Reid's first chapter, the most meaningful concept I learned about in the history of Black cinema was the argument of the term womanist analysis.  Reid and writer, Alice Walker, argue that this term refers to a feminist movement that is interested in race, class, gender and sexual social justice.  Womanism is basically just feminism for women of color.  African American cultural traditions and a commitment to the survival of people, male or female.  Womanist analysis also focuses on women's cultures and its less constrained position on sexuality and curtailing the negative stereotypes associated with feminism and whiteness.  I found all of this meaningful because not only was it difficult for Black people to succeed as actors and/or directors, but now, Black women are being stereotyped and told what they should do, look like, etc.  We tend to think that once Black people have one success in cinema, they will always have success; however, that is far from the truth, and this concept of womanist analysis helps show the other difficulties they had to deal with.  Although it was not easy for them to succeed in cinema, it was possible, and that is shown through the success of William Foster and Oscar Micheaux.

Black Cinema Concept

I thnk that the most meaningful concept of the black cinema in its earliest days was its abillity, intentional or otherwise, to instill knowledge of the black community to the ignorant masses of the white world. As it stands, it is still difficult at best for the deep aspects of black culture to be shared. Movies share information all over the world. I think it is beautiful to share knowledge, and this shares a lot of knowledge.

Blog 1

I personally think that it is a little upsetting finding out that some of the most talented Actors and Actresses of color do not get recognized for performing exceptionally well in roles that deserve some sort of appreciation for their hard work. I've talked about this issue a lot in a course that I took last semester with Professor Berry so I could go on and on. Actors like Denzel Washington, who in many opinions is one of the best actors in the game, has only won 2 Oscars, one for Training Day and one for his role in Glory. It baffles me that of all the movies that he has played in, he gets Oscars for being a bad cop and an ex-slave turned soldier. He didn't win an Oscar for his role in Malcolm X, or one of my favorites John Q. People of all colors should get recognized for their outstanding roles in film. although, the Academy Award committee is a small group of people who may be stuck in sort of a bias mind set, it doesn't mean that people of color are singled out purposely. I think that receiving and Academy Award is a feeling of accomplishment by the Actors/Actresses and they would all like to receive one, and maybe some new people should be selected into the committee.

Awards in Acting

If one has noticed, there seems to be a kind of status quo or trend. People see that of all the different kinds of movies and actors, the ones who recieve the awards are the ones who are for the most part white. Minority groups like the African American community have awards that are few and far between. These awards to me seem like just the thing to give these film makers and actors just the kind of legitimacy they need in order to make themselves as well known as their white counterparts.

Blog 1

Awards to the success and professional legitimization of actors and/or directors are important for anyone and everyone no matter their race, so awards to the success and professional legitimization of Black American actors and/or directors are very important.  If a white actor and/or director gets an award for their success, nobody really thinks anything of it because it always happens and has become the norm, but if a Black American actor and/or director gets an award for their success, everyone notices because it grabs their attention.  For being a community that does not get a lot of attention, awards for their success would make their community better and help their community rise.  It gives them motivation to continue to act and/or direct more films for the Black community.