Crabs In A Bucket? Why Tyler Perry Was Right and Why Spike Lee Needs To Refocus

April 21st, 2011 - By Dr. Phoenyx Austin

 

Yesterday, I wasn’t too shocked to come across an article on The Grio reporting Tyler Perry’s most recent and blunt response to criticism by his very outspoken critic Spike Lee. After years of Spike Lee taking shots, Tyler Perry shot back at a press conference this week. He was quoted with saying:

“I’m so sick of hearing about damn Spike Lee. Spike can go straight to hell! You can print that. I am sick of him talking about me, I am sick of him saying, ‘this is a coon, this is a buffoon.’ I am sick of him talking about black people going to see movies. This is what he said: ‘you vote by what you see,’ as if black people don’t know what they want to see.”

I guess a human being can only take so much public ridicule. Now while I do think Tyler’s response could have been more eloquently phrased (clearly he let his inner Madea take over), I still believe he was very justified in his frustrations. And I commend Tyler for standing up for himself.

Tyler Perry is doing what he loves. He is an artist and should be given creative freedom without constant ridicule because he is black and should only be doing certain types of films. Tyler is successful at what he does. His fans love his work. And if they want to see Tyler Perry’s movies, it’s their choice.

I understand the idea of wanting to raise black cinema to a certain level, but I’ve always felt like Spike Lee’s pot shots and negative commentary were bordering on jealousy and grandstanding. Spike just needs to do his thing and let Tyler Perry do his. Yes, knowledge is power. But laughter is medicine. And we should have room for both.

Truth be told, as a black woman, I’m not really bothered by a grown black man that chooses to put on a dress and act outlandish to make audiences laugh. Were white people concerned when Robin Williams did the same thing in Mrs. Doubtfire?

It’s always a bit disheartening to watch famous black people, a group that’s already a very small minority in Hollywood to begin with, publicly criticize one another because we shouldn’t act a certain way in front of the white folk. Black people are not one monolithic group. We are multi-dimensional just like people of other races and cultures. Spike is showing one side of our race and Tyler is just showing another. And ultimately, fans will determine who and what they want to see. I like Tyler Perry’s more recent efforts- specifically For Colored Girls. But I’ve watched more of Spike Lee’s movies. And Bamboozled is actually one of my favorite movies of all time. No one can deny that both Tyler Perry and Spike Lee are talented. They each have a voice, a point of view, and most importantly they both create jobs for black writers, actors and actresses. They should be supporting one another. And in my opinion, the real “coonery” and “buffoonery” taking place is this Tyler Perry-Spike Lee feud.

If it’s truly Spike Lee’s desire to bring consciousness to black America, then I encourage him to get back behind the camera to address more pressing issues other than a man putting on a dress. And Spike if you’re looking for material, I’ll offer an obvious suggestion: Considering the constant negative representation of black women in music and media, which last time I checked, Tyler Perry wasn’t a participant in, I would challenge Mr. Lee to turn his next film project to highlighting and criticizing famous rappers and entertainers that make their millions off the shameless objectification and degradation of black women. Interestingly enough, I haven’t heard much from Mr. Lee on this issue. And I would definitely get in line to see that movie.

What do you think of the Tyler Perry-Spike Lee feud?

Liked this article and want to know more about our writer Dr. Phoenyx Austin? Well show her some love on her Facebook fan page. A phenomenal mix of brains and beauty, Dr. Phoenyx is a physician, writer and media personality who encourages all women to be fierce and fabulous! And follow her on Twitter @Dr_Phoenyx.

Tags:

, , , , ,

Madame Noire Video

Comment Disclaimer

Comments that contain profane or derogatory language, video links or exceed 200 words will require approval by a moderator before appearing in the comment section. XOXO-MN

  • Marijoy

    Have always liked Spike's films, the man…not so much. Does he not know how sour his serious self-important grandstanding makes him look?

  • Ma Dukes

    I think Tyler is good and Spike should knock it off.Tyler keep doing you.LET THE HATER'S HATE.love your movies and plays

  • afo

    spike is no longer "the flavor of the month" and it seems to be hurting his ego. let spike reflect on all the "negativism" he experienced in the 80s and 90s from "the establishment"; black and mainstream alike. at the end of the day, "madea" pays the bills and enables tyler to invest in and take "risks" with his other creative pursuits. not every venture is meant to be "oscar caliber"; sometimes people just want comic relief. under all of the so-called buffoonery is a message, however simple. madea is not the only "black image" out there, so the arguments that it is a derogatory and exemplary one doesn't really fly with me. there's another wayans bros "white chicks" due to come out, which also has a far reaching audience, and there is no hooting or hollering from spike about that! enough already spike and WAAAAAAKE UUUUUUUP!!!!!!!!

  • Nicole

    I totally agree with this article! Like I said eariler in the other post about this, if you want a serious film with drama, then stick to Spike. If you want a good laught to break away from the stresses of the world, then Perry is the guy for you! I can respect both.

    The end.

  • jzycaramel

    great point!

  • The Rain

    Poor Spike,he had no idea of the dept of you people’s stupidity.He is talking a couple of miles above you jigs’ heads.And for the Dr’s information Spike has spoken out about the rap community.And until black women start teaching young black girls that it’s shameful to be video hozes,to barter sex for house notes,rent money,food,car notes and jewelry,it won’t matter how much we teach black boys to be gentlemen.No one is going to respect any woman more than she respects herself.Spike has been putting black actors like Ruby Dee,Ossie Davis,Sam Jackson,Bill Nunn,Jean Carlo Espiseto,Wesley Snipes, Laurence Fishburne,etc ,to work in front of the camera and countless others behind the camera,before this Meda minstrel show was even thought up.And just as black people were making head way into being taken serious in film,this dysfunctionial ,in need is mental health,tranny comes along and sets us back 30 years.Rudy Ray Dolemite Moore’s movies had more social value than Tyler’s passive aggressive tranny shows.

  • Fact_check

    Spike Lee produced Love & Basketball.

  • nehes baa re

    tyler perry needs to SIT DOWN with those African-American antics!!! straight BUFFONERY at it's best.. American Negroes aren't getting any messages!!! it was NEVER their intent to get a message.. they wanna see what COONERY MADEA is up to now… ya'll AMERICAN NEGROES NEED JESUS SO HE CAN TURN YA'LL INTO NEGROIDS!!! IT'S 2011 AND YA'LL STILL HAVEN'T FIGURED IT OUT YET?!? WHAT A WAIST!!!

  • Pingback: Room for diversity?

  • real rap

    last month, idris alba also referred to madea’s antics as buffoonery. the fact of the matter is that there aught to be a progression in tyler perrys portrayal of black people and im tired of hearing about ‘mrs doubtfire’…that movie is dang near TWENTY YEARS OLD!!!!!! since then, when was the last time you saw a white man dressed as a women? madea’s coonery is no different than jimmy walker’s ‘dynooooomite’ & martin lawrence’s ‘wassup, wassup, ‘WASSSSSSUUUUPPPPP’…we found it funny but its all coonery. tyler perry is a GREAT humanitarian and filmmaker. i am of the opinion that he needs 2 continue making quality movies that uplift, show us in a positive life, with positive messages but there needs to be less of ‘her’ bafoonery. real rap: tyler is truly aware that we like madea’s steppin fetch antics & we will always pay to see it so he’ll continue to put her out there. when we stop payin 2 see ‘her’ she will fade.

  • lively09

    Good article. Both men are talented, and maybe they can make a film together.
    White people have comedies on T.V., and you hear nonething about them negative in the public like what you hear about our comedies. Black people are so critical of each other, and it has to stop. We need to work together. Comedy is good for the soul, and remember it's comedy. Jerry Lewis dressed up like a women, Robin Williams, and many other white actors, so why is it a problem for a Black man? Why are we trying to prove things to people all the time. I admire Tyler Perry for employing black actors, building a studio, and giving back to his community. I also admire Spike Lee for bringing us great films.

  • Flip Russell

    On the flipside of the coin, I understand that Mr. Perry often wraps meaningful messages and life lessons within the attractive packaging of humor. I also understand that a large part of his audience may not listen otherwise and this is what makes his approach such a sticky wicket for those who could do without the exaggarated caricatures that often reprise in his films. That and the fact that we can often identify someone that we know, someone in our family, or even ourselves in those characters.

  • Brie

    Lovely article, I couldn’t agree more Dr.Austin. I love your work. Continue writing the truth. ;)