There's no doubt that we all face a great deal of conditioning. Without it,we wouldn't even know to call ourselves “black”, “white”, or anything else. Conditioning is ,traditionally passed down from parent to child;friend to friend; man to man. However, with the rise of technology, we have so much more exposure to other stimuli and influence. From our :television, phone, or mp3 player; We're plugged in.
So with the messages of our friends,loved ones, favorite performer, floating about through our day, how do we form an opinion. Let's start with movies. More specifically, hyper-personified “reality” based movies.
Taking a break from reading hooks and Williams, I figured I'd “field” investigate so to speak. And what better place to start then the blaxplotation films of the 70's. After looking through the scattered history, reading bios, etc I choose Willie Dynamite.
With larger than life characters,costumes, and glitter. The costume designer probably broke a thumb bedazzling this movie.
It promotes crime as business, indulgence, and other hedonistic endeavors. However it does end on a somber note. The social worker(as self-proclaimed Ralph Nader for hooker) helps a hooker who decides to “leave the game” a bit too late, and a broke Willie Dynamite.
Although many feel that these movies never should been made. There's a lighter note that not many people consider.
I browsed around blacktree.tv and found a film the served as a loving homage to blaxplotation featuring the great Arsenio Hall.
http://my.blacktree.tv/profiles/blogs/arsenio-hall-amp-michael-jai
In the interview they explain,and defend, their stance on the genre.
Blaxplotation helped to save Hollywood. They were cheap to produce, cheap to write, and made a lot at the box office.
Although the images and ideals of these films is usually not very conducive to a productive lifestyle. There were at least black. They were real live black people on screen, living life, not just being maids. It's not the best role,but it's a start.
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