Brian White Says Negative Portrayals of Black Women are Just a Reflection of Reality

February 3rd, 2012 - By Brande Victorian

When you read the responses from Brian White in his recent interview with Shamika Sanders of Hello Beautiful, you’re either going to feel like he’s dropping knowledge, or he’s dropping hate. I’ll let you decide.

Brian sat down to talk about his role in the new project, “What My Husband Doesn’t Know,” and being that he is an actor and has worked with Tyler Perry, he was asked why he thinks people are so hard on him, particularly Spike Lee—and that’s when he decided to go in on black women:

“Because Tyler holds a mirror up to people. Stereotypes are not stereotypes today. The most popular character [in Why Did I Get Married], is not the one that Tyler picked as the most popular, it’s Tasha! You have Janet Jackson and Jill Scott; my point is Jill Scott and Janet are huge music stars with huge fan bases, Tasha became the most popular because her character is portrayed the most like “Love & Hip Hop” the most like, “Desperate Housewives of Atlanta,” you might as well switch it around and pop in Nene [Leakes]. [Tasha Smith] is brilliant, she’s nothing like the character, she’s just portraying what she sees in society, magnified.[sic]

“And people get mad and say that’s not us. Yes it is, turn on “Love & Hip Hop” and turn on “Desperate Housewives Of Atlanta” those are “reality shows.” You can’t call something reality then get mad when it shows up in the movies as reality but that’s what we’re doing. That’s where the cycle continues. They don’t do that in Africa, they don’t do that in France; they don’t connect with that message. What’s interesting is we, here, in America connect with that message and get upset at it.  That’s what Tyler sees. If you look at Spike, what is his most successful movie ever? successful defined by how much money it made versus how much it cost to make. “Inside Man” and the stars were Clive Owens, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Denzel Washington and Jodi Foster… Four huge actors, two white, one known–Denzel and then another amazing British actor people don’t know here. That is not the type of film that Spike necessarily wants to focus on, right? So what makes money isn’t what Spike makes, so it’s upsetting and frustrating–I would assume. But, what Tyler makes, does make money…$500 million worth of money.”

He’s got a point about about what images we connect with and where we spend our dollars, but he’s alittle off on the next point when he’s asked whether he thinks Tyler Perry only depicts black people in a negative light.

“You can’t call it a stereotype if it’s the majority. The most prevalent image in ‘urban society’ right now is women like Nene [Leaks]. If there’s a fight that breaks out on “Love & Hip Hop” those people are one every blog, the cover of every magazine the next week. It’s not Taraji or Gabrielle, it’s whoever just got into a fist fight. Tyler’s not stereotyping, he’s holding up a mirror and people are mad at him because people don’t want to look at that image in that way.[sic]

“When we use the term here in America, and say ‘black movies,’ that has no reference for the rest of the world. Look at “Luther,” Idris just won a Golden Globe for “Luther,” that is NOT a black show, it’s a British show. British don’t see color they see quality. People who watch BBC don’t go, ‘oo’ there’s that black show, nah. Most African Americans were not even aware of Luther because it’s not a stereotypically urban themed show. Once we in America start focusing on quality first and telling human stories that connect with everybody that might want to watch it, the problems will solve themselves.”

Pressed again about whether he really thinks Nene is a fair representation of the majority of black women, he said this:

“I have five sisters and two moms, none of them are like that! To me, I can say I’m offended if they want to represent that and don’t want to represent my mom, but my mom represents Phylicia Rashād and has been represented on TV all my life. I can’t say that. I don’t watch “Real Housewives,” I’ve never seen an episode of “Love & Hop Hop” I’m not supporting it, I’m not giving it ratings. I’m not making the stereotype exist on TV. You’ve watched it, you’ve added to why it’s on TV.

If you look at Hip Hop, the rappers and their girlfriends, their reality shows look just like “Love & Hip Hop” and “Housewives,” some of them are even on those shows… so we’re taking the line between what’s real and what’s on TV and its all blurred but it looks exactly the same as what’s in Tyler’s movies. That’s not what I see when I go on Rowland Martins show or having this conversation with you, we are not the majority. Look at the statistics in education, only our community not all blacks African Americans we perform the worst along with Mexicans. The rest of the blacks in the world are like second and third. There’s no correlation with race, it’s our culture.”

At least he backs up what he says by not supporting shows he doesn’t approve of, and you can’t knock the brother’s passion, but I think Brian is absolving Tyler of any obligation to show new images of black people. It’s not fair for that responsibility to rest totally on Tyler but if he says the depictions on reality TV aren’t OK and Tyler flips that and puts it in movie form, then that can’t be OK either. Everyone from the creators down to the viewers has to be accountable. Also, I urge him to really find new statistics on what black women are doing from the classroom to the boardroom. What’s the majority in terms of depiction doesn’t mean it’s the true reality.

What do you think about Brian’s mouthful? Is he on point or is his opinion on portrayals of black women a little skewed?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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  • SmartandBeautiful

    Sheesh people are so sensitive! These people are in business to MAKE MONEY, and some {negative} depictions are just plain funny. So because Tyler Perry is African-American and he makes movies he has a responsibility to African-Americans to depict them in a positive light? C’mon people! Movies and TV shows are STORIES just on the big screen. He actually does have positive roles in his movies, but no one talks about those. All some people see are the negative things as a means to criticize. Brian didn’t “go in” on Black women, I didn’t see how anyone could be offended at his comments and his general observances and opinion. We ALL have opinions

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  • Brownie2shasta

    I disagree with his statement, if it does not apply to ALL black women ,then it is a STEREOTYPE!.

  • LovelyGal

    honeslty im not mad at him. Love & Hip Hop House wives of Atlanta are embarsing shows. Those grown a** women bicker, gossip, cat fight, and act so damn immature. I don’t support those lame shows neither. But do i think (agree with him) thats its the majority of sistas=Definilty not. Only the fame-crazed females go on national tv and act like immature fools.

  • Naokinine

    Truth. Put the responsibility on the viewer. Tired of blaming people for just depicting the truth

  • Cocolicious

    The below is loosely quoted from elsewhere, but the person made such a valid point that readily applies to this article. I commented that I trust Tyler Perry’s portrayal of black people. Well, the below had me reconsider that trust. We shouldn’t trust the media, at all.

    [QUOTE]
    We make a huge mistake in trusting the media. It’s not above certain segments to create drama and encourage bad blood between groups. This lends itself to profits as it’s used as a vice in creating sympathy, antagonism and supporters – fan$.

    We really should not rely on tv and the media to give us a true picture of the thoughts and feelings of people we don’t know.

    The idea that black women are nothing but bitter, lonely, jealous harpies that nobody wants, not even men of their own race is a ridiculous meme that exists only to keep black women pinned down for abused by other people. In the case of the media, the idea is perpetuated for profit. We should really consider all the people behind the scenes who have made these type productions come into fruition, especially their creators.

    Some black women, unfortunately, buy into this idea wholesale, and then project this negativity towards other black women. Then, people believe it’s true for all of us, people like Brian White who don’t object to this negative perpetuated image of blacks.

    Black, African descended, male celebrities like Brian White who are involved with white, or non-black, women seem to like getting a rise out taunting the black female audience. This seems to be nicely implemented into their publicity efforts.
    [/QUOTE]

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  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_4QQMFIWHPDRPWP5UPXU4PBT2UY onritalin420yrs

    I’ll say this….the images Tyler Perry shows in his movies and TV shows….the “characters” had to come from somewhere, right?  Maybe all of this Tyler Perry hate stems from our guilt…guilt knowing that we know, or knew, or ran across someone that lives foul JUST LIKE that, and instead of showing them a better way, or encouraging them to be and/or do better, we attached them to our lives as perpetual comedy relief. That is, until the end result of their tragic lives finally catches up with them somehow (divorce, teen pregnancies, baby mama/daddy dramas, untreated mental illnesses, alcoholism, drug abuse, child abuse, domestic violence, poverty, being trifling and lazy, uneducated, ignorant, infected with STD’s/HIV/AIDS, etc.), and we toss them aside like yesterday’s trash when they aren’t useful to us anymore.  Let’s face it; these images ARE our reality.  I agree with Brian on that.  But what needs to stop is us using these hurting people to make our lives, ourselves or our situations seem better than it really is. Tyler Perry puts our issues……hell, even HIS OWN issues (Oprah, anyone?) out there for everyone to see.  It’s ugly, it’s unbecoming, it’s base, it’s embarrasing, but tragically, for many of our bothers and sisters, it’s REAL.  The question is not whether Tyler should show “new” images of black people (read, “white” washed, Bill cosby-esque images that white America will accept), but rather, what the hell are we as a people going to do with these real issues that are destroying us daily?  Is Tyler really profiting from our pain? Or is the brother just fed up with watching his people hurting?

    • Cocolicious

      Is Perry profiting off of the pain of black people? Aren’t ‘they’ all? At least, Perry put  the stories out there when no one else would.

      People assume that having come from a legacy of disenfranchisement that minorities would be more sensitive to others’ pain as so not to profit from it? But that’s the cycle of human, one group of people getting a leg-up on another. And if you’re the one getting duped, then you’re the idiot, you deserved to be in that dispositon – that’s life. It’s your fault that you didn’t get the information, that you aren’t informed.

  • Lorenzo

    Let me first acknowledge that this is not all African Americans in a general sense, Unfortunately it is enough to count towards a large demographic that control billions of dollars,

    Reality TV, RHOA, USBasketball Wives, Love, Hip Hop etc, this is to african america as herion in the sixties and seventies, crack in the eighties, etc. I am speaking metaphorically, you see those items and many more were inserted into the hood to appease and to make content. Unfortunately the african american will spend his/her hard earned money on fads quicker than anyone else. I don’t have the statistics, but compare the many, many latest and greatest that african americans have participated in over the last twenty years. I can even do one better what about the last two years (jeans thaty were made specifically to hang off your butt). I don’t think the maker of those were african american. You will look back on this day and say (WTF) was I thinking and where is all my money. Unfortunately african americans can be counted on to participate in fads and support fads. I recall at one time african americans were speaking out about why not have ebonics on the cirriculum in public schools.If you put it in slick colorful packaging, call it a catchy name, associate it with a hip environment or celebrity african americans will support it. Ask any Wall Streeter, Advertising Exec, Hustler, the recipe that I just mentioned will seperate the african american and his hard earned cash quickly. Brian White was speaking about of a culture and how some african americans perceive themselves and what defines them. 

  • unque43

    What people don’t realize is that these women don’t portray every black women. Why is it that the behavior of some means all.  The women and men in these tv shows and movies do do portray the whole. I find it to be an insult for anyone to do so. Should I think that every white women on television portray every white women. People even the ladies on ATL housewives turn up the drama to pull viewers in. I don’t care if its called reality television. If there is not drama then the viewers number will drop. So although its call reality. It is built up to ensure it get the viewers it needs. Believe me there are a lot of behind the camera people making money off these types of shows. Brian White is not dropping hate he’s just not informed, and needed something to say to give you. Why didn’t he discuss his new movie if he has one.

  • ASCOX1

    I do not agree with his statements regarding the depiction of black women and reality TV. What many people fail to realize is just because someone says its so doesn’t make it so. If you enjoy watching Ms. Leakes make a fool of herself, then you should form your opinion around her. Don’t assume that all black women are like that, and also I don’t think producers go around looking for “poster children” for reality shows. They just want people to entertain you, not to exploit a whole race of people. Its called conforming when you believe what the majority says. Having a mind of your own is saying, “Yes I’m entertained by this person(s) but I will not take my opinions and stick them in places where they did not begin.

    How can you say that the Black Women in realty TV represent ALL black women as far as the fighting goes, but women like Deborah Lee, First Lady Michele Obama, Oprah, and many other ground breaking woman can’t represent our strength, courage, wisdom, and beauty?

    Let’s not forget these other beloved reality shows that have just as much drama that no other race is complaining about.
    MOB WIVES
    BASEBALL WIVES
    REAL HOUSEWIVES OF BEVERLY HILLS/ OC/NEW YORK

  • Vickilove84

    Wow! That was a loaded interview but I see where he is coming from. I just dont think it is right to generalize a group because we are not all the same. We dont all have the same living experience and situations that shape our lives. I read alot of comments on here talking about black women this and black women that. That is nonsense! To each is own. These negative characteristics that everyone is talking about is not exclusive to black women. However, I feel that as a black woman, I know the stereotypes out there about us and I live my life to a standard that doesn’t perpetuate those stereotypes. I am a 27 year black woman with career, working on my MBA and I dont have ANY children and I see other like that as well. But the truth about stereotypes, they come from a source. Whether or not they are further distorted, they could from a source. Only we can change the way we are perceived.

    • Ch

      “ Only we can change the way we are perceived.”

      Loved that

  • Ms. G

    Come on people. The man is just saying we are magnifying these type of women (shows if you will), instead of magnifying the black women and men who rises above the black stereotype. Their are some smart intelegent black women and men and thats what more movies and television should show. I often wondered even before Tyler Perry, why all of our black movies, rap tracks and videos had to show the Projects, show us as drug attics, show our women half naked, etc. Everybody did not live in the projects, everybody was not a drug attic and not all young black girls show their tits and as.. We have black men and women who live a life of integrity, some are Dr. Lawyers ect. and some are just your average person with a 9-5 job, but they are living a life of integrity. Why can’t we have movies about black people with integrity.

  • jackieOsassin

    people treat you similarly to what you portray. if you perpetuate the stereotypes of a spoiled, entitled, conceited, and angry black woman that is exactly what black men (and all me for that matter) are going to treat you as. you can’t get mad at someone for fulfilling the same stereotypes you are.

  • jodyjoe0

    Blackwomen yall the least wanted women on the planet for a reason.

    just look at the comments.

    SMH……………

  • NicDiva

    And it’s also sad to see these black actors talk so much crap about black women when ALL OF THEM wouldn’t be where they are without black women who are their biggest fans.  Look at ugly axx Wesly Snipes. Brian White is not much of an actor anyway.  Black men father more biracial kids more than anyone else.  They hate their own color and refuse to have babies that look like them.

    • Mina

      Because the majority of bm are garbage and bich-made

      • jodyjoe0

        says the angry black women that nobody wants. B1TCH GET A LIFE

        • http://profile.yahoo.com/LOL4WKIVBZFF776G62Q5SEBZMI nicole

          How mature?

      • KIR12

        @71437a5b277291f38ef744c98fac9901:disqus You forgot to mention that you’re a L3sban (or F@g acting like a woman). The truth is that all men (White, Hispanic, Asian, ect) have the same relationship issues that black men have with black women. If you really want to be honest about it, black women don’t get along with the majority of other black women. Everyone ain’t lying on you boo

  • NicDiva

    Here we go with “angry black women” nonsense again. Why don’t people start talking about black men who constantly going to jail or the ones who don’t take care of their kids and treat white women like queens.  I don’t any black woman who acts like Nene or the women on other reality shows. He is so dumb.  The producers and directors encourage these women to act like that for a reason. Not only that, the white women on other reality shows act just as bad.  When a black woman does something its actumatically GHETTO! But when a woman does it, it’s ok.  Look a Kim Kardashian the ultimate groupie of all groupies.  People praise her. So Brian White needs to STFU!  He can’t act, He looks funny and he can’t act!

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