Dear Mr. Gregory:
Subject: THE BARBER SHOP
Regarding the Movie Barber Shop, I want to make a few points. First, it appears as though the primary folks who objecting to this movie are those whose truths were re- revealed. Rev Jackson, as the trollop you rode to commit adultery said, if you have no respect for your family, why should we. You are the one we counted on to set an example for us. Yes, you are fair game. Mr. Dick Gregory, with all the respect you are due, I respectfully ask what have you done for us lately. We acknowledge and appreciate all that you have done in your day, but I again respectfully…. Will say that if “they” had tried to tell you what to say on stage, and indeed your act, was for its time very rebellious. I believe the words you would have uttered would not have been nice. It is a new day, and after suffering so long, we deserve some humor. Truth hurts, so does adultery, no matter by whom it is committed.
I have been in that barbershop, I went to the New Chicago barbershop in San Francisco for over 10 years. Many times, I was the only female in the shop; the movie captures that environment vividly and accurately. In the context of a barber shop the movie took no creative liberties. The depiction of barbershop life by these artists is real. If you have never experienced barbershop banter, then the nuances of this movie will be missed. Which brings me to my next point; people other than Black folks will not even get the intent of the movie, because a black barber shop is not a hang out place for whites, or black folks who grew up in Washington DC. The same black folks who thought rap music was so distasteful, who have distanced themselves from the hub of black life, simply will not relate, and will in fact be offended by the humor.
Where were these voices when that crazy white girl was awarded an Oscar for “representing black women” in that horrid, disgusting, no storyline, offensive movie Monsters Ball. The only thing black about Ms Berry is her obsession with being black. Now that would have been something to shout about. She in no way exemplifies black women, and to be recognized for that trashy movie, a movie that only white people would relate to as something representative of black women. Hoodwinked, bamboozled yet again, why were voices not raised in defense of decent black women when this travesty was inflicted on black women nationwide? Now when adulterous men are the subjects of humor, it is cause for boycotting. Get over it!
Ms Rosa Parks is respected in all facets of black life, no reasonable black person in their right mind, would have their opinion of Ms Parks and her contribution changed by one statement in a movie. A statement when taken in the context it was said is appropriate, and again unless you are familiar with black barbershop life, you will not get it anyway.
Halle Berry should be ostracized for defaming black women and keeping that whorish image alive. Most black women get that one. Stand up for black women in demeaning movies like Monster’s Ball. Dr King was all the great stuff that he was, but he was a man, a human with the inclination and desires of any man. Adultery is wrong and men need to drop the double standard. It was done, we know it and we are going to laugh and talk about it.
I am not with any calls for boycotting or cutting anything from this movie, and I will personally gather a counter movement against black men who won’t stand for the dignity of black women, but are offended by their indiscretions being publicized. Be morally correct and you will not have to worry about negative images or being the butt of public humor and discussion.
Respectfully,
Barbara Seymore
P.O. Box 150
Hawthorne CA 90251-0150
sundaydog@aol.com
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