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A Tale of Two "Hollywoods"
Nathan Hale Williams | Posted February 21, 2008 12:15 AM
With all of the progress we're making in this country, I wonder why there remains so much segregation in tinsel town. The top stars in black Hollywood are struggling for recognition in the "greater metropolitan Hollywood area." In the meantime, they are relegated to the "blacks only" part of town.
Nathan Hale Williams is a Film/TV producer and the Arts & Entertainment editor for The Daily Voice.
As Oscar weekend launches, it is clear that there are, at least, two Hollywoods. There is Hollywood and then, there's black Hollywood. A handful of the A-Listers overlap, but there is an obvious distinction. With all of the progress we're making in this country, I wonder why there remains so much segregation in tinsel town. The top stars in black Hollywood are struggling for recognition in the "greater metropolitan Hollywood area." In the meantime, they are relegated to the "blacks only" part of town.
No worries, black Hollywood stars still shine bright! Last week, I spent an entire week in and around black Hollywood for the NAACP Image Awards and it was an interesting, exciting, yet sobering experience. While it was great to see these fabulous folks I lamented at the blatant segregation that still exists in Hollywood and pondered whether or not we'll ever be able to really cross the tracks.
The first order of business was to attend the nominee luncheon, which was hosted by best friends Tisha Campbell ("My Wife and Kids") and Tichina Arnold ("Everybody Hates Chris"). I remember when I first saw both Tisha and Tichina. It was in the 1986 film, Little Shop of Horrors. They were young doo-wop girls with major pipes. Since then, they have continued to succeed in the business with roles on shows ranging from Martin to Rags to Riches to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. When you think about it, no two other black actresses have enjoyed such a long-standing career in television. So, it's baffling that they don't get the respect they've earned in Hollywood. It got me thinking.
Upon arriving at the luncheon, I was in awe of so many of the other black actors, directors and writers that I have admired for so long. In the same room there were major talents like Loretta Devine, Chandra Wilson, Tracee Ellis Ross along with newcomers Nate Parker, Lance Gross and Jurnee Smollett. It was a feast of the gorgeous talent that is black Hollywood, which got me thinking again: why doesn't their star wattage illuminate the grand ballrooms of Oscar week?
At the NAACP luncheon, these stars were the brightest in the room. But, if you fast-forward to this week and the pre-Oscar festivities you will be hard pressed to get a photographer to snap a shot. And, why is that? These are some of Hollywood's most talented actors and producers no matter their color, but they are not given the same respect as their un-colored counterparts. Granted, there has been some significant progress over the years. Denzel, Halle, Will, Eddie, Beyonce, Jennifer, Jamie and Terrence. You could rattle off some more names, but not that many. Truly, the list is not long for black folks who carry the same caché in mainstream (né white) Hollywood.
The problem remains that despite a plethora of black talent in Hollywood the roles of substance for black actors remain few and far between. Moreover, the roles in which black actors are recognized tend to be in white produced and distributed productions (Ray, Training Day, Million Dollar Baby, Ghost). The only notable time that a film produced by a black person (Lee Daniels) earned a black actor an Academy Award was Halle Berry's performance in Monster's Ball. Quite frankly, black actors must crossover to mainstream productions even to be considered legitimate. Think about how many amazing films Spike Lee has produced with outstanding performances by actors of color that have remained unrecognized by the Academy or other mainstream awards organizations. Hence, the necessity for having the NAACP Image Awards and two Hollywoods.
Denzel Washington remarked in his acceptance speech at the Image awards, "I will be at the other awards ceremony [the Oscars] next week, but my heart is right here." It speaks volumes that our most decorated black actor still feels the most at home at the Image Awards. It might be because black people are just comfortable around other black people. Or, it might be because he just directed and produced one of the most outstanding films of last year featuring some of the best performances by any young actors in Hollywood and the Academy failed to notice.
Yes, The Great Debaters was snubbed by the Academy, but it swept the Image Awards. If you've seen the film then, you understand why I am shaking my head. If you haven't then, you need to and you will. It's a masterpiece. Nonetheless, it didn't quite make it across the tracks to that other Hollywood, which is sad. Because if Denzel and Oprah can't bridge the gap then, who the heck can.
Hopefully, we will continue to push the status quo and make strides on both sides of the track. Unfortunately, the progress has been slow coming considering how long it's been since Hattie McDaniel received the first nomination. The good news is that most of our talent that has found a way to cross the tracks understand that we need them to come back to the old neighborhood every now and again. Because not only were Tichina and Tisha at the Image Awards, but so were Janet, Vanessa and, of course, Denzel.
Sitting amongst our brightest stars in all of their glory it is easy to forget that there is another side of the tracks. Or at least, at that moment, it didn't really matter.
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A; commented on A Tale of Two "Hollywoods":
Michael, that is so true. I watched a little of Monster's Ball, and it was very distasteful. Train... -
MICHAELG commented on A Tale of Two "Hollywoods":
Right on Nathan, THE GREAT DEBATATORS was a superior film and it's sad that hollywood never seems to... -
a commented on A Tale of Two "Hollywoods":
Yeah, you're right! The black shows are predictable. Girlfriends started out okay, then, it just g... -
Dluv65 commented on A Tale of Two "Hollywoods":
I don't work in Hollywood or pretend to know the inner workings of the movie business, but as a movi... -
Sybil Barkley-Staples commented on A Tale of Two "Hollywoods":
Great article Nathan! I agree with a lot your points in the piece. I'm the author of 2 african-ame...
February 21, 2008 1:03 AM
Nathan great article. It still amazes me when we talk about black hollywood. I can only think of a few actors that are really good. Halley Berry, Jenifer Hudson are far from being seasoned actors. The real issue is producing. Finding great script written by black actors. I am tired of blacks saying that their is no work. So make it happen black hollywood develop and search for material. Their are so many black writers with great books to be adapted for the big screen even Scifi Octiva Butler black scifi writer whom I bet alot of blacks dont even know about. No one has even tried to look at her work. So wake up and drink the black coffee in you discovery of material for the black actor.
February 21, 2008 3:06 PM
ray, brilliant point! People complain too much but don't seem to want to do the somewhat and unfortunate 'hardwork' of starting production companies etc and so forth. Sometimes you have to play the 'game' in order to get to the final point.
February 21, 2008 3:21 PM
I agree with you both: I just don't think Jennifer Hudson and Halle are all that great. My opinion. Blacks complain too much, and they don't do enough. There are so many accomplished blacks in Hollywood who could do a lot more, but they don't. I am really tired of hearing this. You never have to tell another race to do productive, it just comes naturally. We are the only race of people who are always complaining, but never taking action. There are so many gifted black actors in hollywood, Malinda Williams, Nia Long, Kimberly Elise,just to name a few. They are natural. Also, Queen Latifah is a great actress. Jeniffer Hudson screemed too much, Halle Berry was too depressing, Janet too sad, and Beyonce, pretty, but boring. We need people on screen with talent. We keep passing up the good actors for Halle and Beyonce. Why aren't these talented people coming together to make "Black Hollywood" better?
February 22, 2008 1:29 AM
Nathan, your right on the mark with your subjet matter; however what you fail to mention is that Hollywood is all about white people worship and they the white press live to worship themselves. When a non-white become Iconic the white press comes to their senses. Britney gets more press then Beyounce who is doing everything right. The white press had a love affair with Halle Barry until she started dating a white male and subsequently became pregnant for him,she's nolonger on the alist for poparazzi. Not only are Black entetainers snubbed but Black athletes are over looked big time,it's gotten to the piont where only if they get arrested are they ever mentioned out side the context of their celebrity and whats even worst is that the Black press have been taking their ques from the white press these last twenty years. There is a solution to this problem"love the skin your in" we should be making films about ourselves:Tousaint L'Overure,Paul Robeson,Madame C.J.Walker,Nat Turner,Robert Johnson and of course Oscar Micheaux should all be immortalized in film. We should be focused on telling our stories and not wiening about not being invited to the WHITE PARTY....P.S.Nathan if you get a chance to talk to the people over the Black Movie Awards,suggest that they change the name to the "Micheaux Awards"
February 22, 2008 8:21 AM
Hollywood is about money and who can generate the big bucks. Beyonce, Halle, and Denzel generate big bucks. The problem, like Americas Race problem, is vast and complex and until we can navigate around some these terrains with the precision of a great lawyer, we are going to continue to have these problems. Sometimes you have to go behind the scenes and deal with the bean counters and the power brokers. Many of us have hit that invisible wall over and over again regardless of talent, beauty, brains, and sometimes even money. I feel some of the comments are extremely honest, intentioned and well thought out but very naive.
February 22, 2008 8:22 AM
Hollywood is about money and who can generate the big bucks. Beyonce, Halle, and Denzel generate big bucks. The problem, like Americas Race problem, is vast and complex and until we can navigate around some these terrains with the precision of a great lawyer, we are going to continue to have these problems. Sometimes you have to go behind the scenes and deal with the bean counters and the power brokers. Many of us have hit that invisible wall over and over again regardless of talent, beauty, brains, and sometimes even money. I feel some of the comments are extremely honest, well intentioned and well thought out but very naive.
February 22, 2008 11:42 AM
Nathan... your piece had the answer that you are so passionately looking for...
When writing about Denzel you wrote, "It might be because black people are just comfortable around other black people."... the opposite is also true, whether it be in Corporate America or in Hollywood. White people are just more comfortable around other white people. It may sound archaic or like something out of the 50's, but it is still a fact that rings true in America, whether it be The Great Plains or Los Angeles, California.
There will always be a "Black Ceiling" no different than the Glass Ceiling that women have
faced and the struggle has already been long and hard, but there's a helluva long way to go!
February 24, 2008 4:17 PM
I understand what each of you are saying. I like black shows; I am sure there are other blacks who enjoy watching black shows as well. Why can't all the prominent blacks come together and do their own thing. why do they have to go through whites. I just don't get blacks. Tommy Hilfiger was qoated as saying he does not make his clothes for blacks. He used Beyonce because he knew she could generate a lot of revenue for him. Beyonce didn't need Tommy Hilfiger, it is clear that he needed her. Blacks get caught up in these kind of traps because they don't have any common sense. We fall for this kind of stupidness until the whites turn on us, and then we run back to our "people." The same thing with micheal jackson. All that money - he helped everyone outside his race. A few blacks he was friendly with only because they were in the business. Bod Johnson sold BET. We don't have anything. We keep wanting acceptance from the white man. Leave that race along. What can we do for ourselves. Blacks try so hard to belong to their (whites) country clubs, be part of their lives, and we treat each other like dirt. I just don't get it.
February 24, 2008 11:00 PM
I'm not overly impressed by movie stars, entertainers or celebrities - be they black or white. Our national obsession with celebrities escapes me. Those celebrities who use their position for the good of others tend to interest me more. I don't understand why some black people still tend to want validation and inclusion from white people. I agree with By'a's post. Support each other and do for ourselves. We know we have quality in our ranks - look at Barack's inspiration. It would be great if we started thinking of supporting each other like we have done for him. Besides, everyone knows that when it comes to style and flair - we are trend setters. Whatever we start will surely be imitated in due course. It always is.
February 26, 2008 8:16 PM
OrchidIsleGuy,
I agree that blacks should start supporting one another more. And not just in Hollywood celebrity, but across the proverbial board. Stop acting like those fabled "crabs-in-a-barrel".
February 27, 2008 1:11 PM
Great article Nathan!
I agree with a lot your points in the piece. I'm the author of 2 african-american fiction novels She'll Learn and Candy for My Soul. I would propose that Black Hollywood take they're careers into they're own hands and start turning some of the great literary works by us into screenplays to create roles for themselves. Halle Berry has done this very thing and I'd hope that other AA actors will follow suit. There will likely always be a divide in Hollywood, but we have the talent to uplift ourselves.
"Because if Denzel and Oprah can't bridge the gap then, who the heck can."
You are so right, if these two can't bridge the gap then who?
Peace,
Sybil Barkley-Staples
Check out my Oscar wrap-up on my blog:
http://sybilbstaples.blogspot.com
March 1, 2008 1:40 PM
I don't work in Hollywood or pretend to know the inner workings of the movie business, but as a movie watcher, It seems there are not enough good original stories. Black movies seem to be stuck in either historical dramas or domestic comedies. Both of which are well intentioned but boring and predictable. I'm happy that Tyler Perry is breaking through and gaining power. But I don't watch his movies. If you saw the trailor for Meet The Browns, then you probably saw the whole movie in 30 seconds and what you didn't see you can predict. I don't want to sound highbrow or anything, but I've been watching all types of movies all my life and I just want to see something edgier or interesting. Something that pushes the envelope. We're still shocked if a black actor plays a gay role. We need to go beyond our boundaries and I'm sure many of our black actors are willing to do that.
March 7, 2008 5:35 PM
Yeah, you're right! The black shows are predictable. Girlfriends started out okay, then, it just got boring. Most blacks praise Oprah, but Oprah will not help anyone unless you are lighter than Halle or you have Denzel's status. The school in Africa and the homeless show was huge, but, it is rare that she helps blacks. She sponsored Rachel Ray, Dr. Phil, and a writer who turned out to be a liar. That is just to name a few. She and other blacks in Hollywood have clout and everything it takes to put more black shows out there, but they are waiting on someone else to tell them what to do. I will commend her for having her own projects going on. She has done a tremendous job at staying on top. She started off nothing, and grew into the immense person. Gay roles, not so fast. Sex on TV needs to go away. Kids watch TV. Almost every show now even the kids shows are showing gay parts. I really don't think this is appropriate. your sexual preperence should be private. I don't think this should be on TV at all. Just like fighting in cartoons, it should be banned. This is why there is so much rape and murder in the world.
March 12, 2008 2:14 PM
Right on Nathan, THE GREAT DEBATATORS was a superior film and it's sad that hollywood never seems to acknowledge films of this magnitude.I guess it's racism that always prevents the hollywood machine from honoring these great films.I still cannot believe that Halle got an Oscar for Monster's Ball and Denzel got one for Training Day; and not for Losing Isaiah or MALCOLM X respectively.Seems to me that that hollywood (racist) machine would prefer to show Blacks always in a negative portrayal to reach international audiences to confirm that we ARE like these folks in these movies. SAD BUT TRUE !!!
March 13, 2008 7:13 PM
Michael, that is so true. I watched a little of Monster's Ball, and it was very distasteful. Training Day, was okay, but not Oscar material. Malcolm X was an extrodinary movie. But, Halle and Denzel were so happy to win the Oscar, they didn't care about the content. So, it's not the racism, its our people selling themselves out. We have allowed things like this to happen. We are so focused on being the first black for this or that, we are not looking at the picture for what it is. Tommy Hilfiger was quoted as saying, he does not make clothes for blacks. Okay, Beyonce sells his perfume for him. Now, I read one time that she does not wear perfume because she is allergic. Now, you tell me what is going on here. We are selling ourselves out. Then we complain.