I've watched both The Hate U Give & Fences; both powerful and emotional drama.
In both movies, Russell Hornsby comes across as a powerful, evocative actor, which makes both movies memorable.
Russell is definitely Oscar material. He deserves one.
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Being a black man/ African American man in these United States is fraught with peril. Some of the dangers are plain to see others are more difficult to unwind. In either case, the black man has to understand masculinity is not the swashbuckling image American society promotes. Unfortunately, the black man who approaches life like an Odysseus, thinking his way out of danger instead of trying to over come by force alone, is not appreciated by other black men and women. The black man who overcomes dangers through mastering the situation with smart action instead of bravado is seen as weak.
The black man has to not let others define his masculinity. The gangster type man presented by black popular culture or the cowboy of American culture is not the model of masculinity to emulate. Though the "bad boy" image is lauded through American culture -- think cowboys -- muscle does not overcome brains. The black man's confrontation with his humanity has noting to do with physical strength. It has to do with walking the labyrinth of life while trying to overcome the Minotaur of the mind. Yes, the Cretan Minotaur is not a physical obstruction. It is the social, emotional, psychological conflicts of the mind represented by ones interactions with the human condition.
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My book group read The Hate U Give and all of us wondered whether Ms Thomas actually wrote the book or if it had been written or substantially rewritten by the editors.
Complex masculinity? Hmmm. In the book, no one listened to Maverick, he was consistently interrupted when he spoke and his wife spoke to him as though he were a child. I haven't seen the movie, because I so disliked many aspects of the book, so maybe it portrays Maverick differently.
I think it's necessary to mention Grimm, which is the whitest show about the white imaginary. "Black man encounters German nightmares in white pacific northwest." Is the program somehow not worthy of critical engagement in the press?
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I still see affectation.
Growing up a black man in the United States was interest at best for me. I am 65 years old and have been clean and sober for the last 32 years. My oldest best friend who i talk to every Sunday is also 65 years old and been clean and sober that long as well. We have known each other since we were 6 years old. My parents did two wonderful things while I was growing up. My father made us listen to jazz and my mother taught me manners, clean house and respect women. My father also taught me how to play chess at 8 years old. I have two sons, one is 40 years old the other is 35 years old. I love them with all my heart and soul. Anything the shows black men in a positive light is wonderful. The most important song in my life I heard it the first time when I was 15 years old. Say it loud I'm Black and I'm proud. Thank you James Brown!
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