Why Is Hollywood Scared of a Black Movie?

Campus Moviefest is coming back to Alabama on the 24th, and I've been hammering away at my latest entry in the competition which has helped me to elevate myself as a filmmaker.

I decided to take an unconventional route, as I did last year. I'm hoping to make something really special this year so wish me luck in this endeavor.

Along with film and photography, I do a lot of writing for my school's newspaper as well so I'd like to share some of my thoughts on George Lucas, Black Movies in America, and Hollywood's interpretation of the norm in cinema.

Posted in The Crimson White today.

I have a newfound respect for George Lucas. I’ve always loved the man for his work as a filmmaker. I love Star Wars. I envy the life of Indiana Jones. These are the stories that have captured the hearts of children and adults alike. George Lucas is literally a staple of American culture. That is not an opinion. 

I also have my qualms with George. In the eyes of many fans, he’s done a considerable amount of questionable re-editing with many of his best-known films (mainly the Star Wars franchise). Many fans were also dissatisfied with the latest Indiana Jones movie, citing the weak story and inclusion of Shia LaBeouf. I may not agree with many of his decisions, but I believe he’s a great filmmaker, and his impact is unequaled.

My newfound respect for George has stemmed from his willingness to do something the majority of Hollywood is completely against—he made a film consisting of an entirely black cast steeped in one of the most prominent African American stories, The Tuskegee Airmen. Note: Go see the film Red Tails.

The Tuskegee airmen were the first African American combat pilots in the United States Army. They fought in World War II. The airmen were met with racial discrimination and hatred from the army and citizens of The United States. Still, they served their country valiantly and became known as one of the best groups ever to emerge from the US Army Air Corps.

Now, why is George Lucas’ movie important? Simple. Absolutely no one wanted to make it. Forget story structure, production costs, or the magnitude of the film’s scope. It is an African American movie that does not feature melodrama, gang violence or hood portrayals. Hollywood is having none of that. If the story does not revolve around what I previously stated, sports, or a white person helping a poorly educated (often idiotic) black person (see The Blind Side, Finding Forrester, etc.), it will not be made. The Help is not an exception. The story may have African Americans, but it dwelled on the overwhelmingly privileged lives of southern whites.

There are bright spots. Spike Lee’s movies can bring a non-black crowd. Tyler Perry movies have been notably profitable, but are rigorously scrutinized by mainstream critics.

So what’s the problem? Hollywood does not think black sells (unless you are Will Smith, maybe Denzel Washington or Samuel “I Play Myself in Every Movie I Make” Jackson). A cast for a mainstream, high budget movie will never be predominately black (or predominately minority for that matter). Hollywood will not even allow a white woman to be a black man’s love interest, unless it specifically deals with race issues (see O, a modern conception of Othello). In Will Smith’s movie Hitch, Nicole Kidman was considered for the part of Will Smith’s love interest, but executives opted for a Latino lead role in fear their white audience may not approve of such interracial sexy. The opposite is untrue. A white man can bugger up a black woman on screen all he wants (see Monster’s Ball or Star Trek).

Hollywood executives said no, watching the screening of Red Tails. One executive didn’t even show up. I could understand such individuals ignoring Spike Lee or Tyler Perry in this endeavor, but to know someone of George Lucas’ clout could be ignored tells us Hollywood retains a circle jerk of high-powered money-rollers who still have a stamp of prejudice on the money they stuff up their rear-end.

So, thank you, George Lucas for making this film. Thank you for using your own money to distribute it. Thank you for fighting the convention minorities should not be allowed to play lead roles in major movies. I can respect someone who is willing to push boundaries. This also lends itself to the fact some issues will not be resolved until white people address the gash of racism still upheld by their less forward brethren.

God, I just hope the movie doesn’t suck. That would really ruin my argument.

To read the article from the school newspaper click HERE. Be sure to like Que The Lights page on Facebook and follow me @QueTheLights. 


This scholarship is sponsored by USDish.com

The Gameplan

If you check out the Writing section of the blog you already know I do a substantial amount of work for my school newspaper, The Crimson White. 

Most who read this do not know me personally, but if you did you'd know I THRIVE on ranting. Many MANY people say or believe things which  leave me with a pounding headache and an overwhelming case of "WTF R U SERIOUS! GTFO!"

(Type in the acronyms in a search engine if you do not know what they mean).

It's only appropriate such an appreciate for the art of despising ridiculous notions would lead me to be a writer for the opinions article, especially considering the majority of writers on the current staff have very similar opinions on a majority of subjects.

A week ago I wrote an article on the idea whether or not a degree guarantees you anything in the real world (FYI - it does not). I used my work at Alabama as an example to prove a specific point, but some of the comments below my article took a more personal tone asking me about my career path.

Or this one...

These comments made me realize I've never really tried to explain why I've taken the track I'm on. I don't mean why I'm majoring in Film Production, but why I've gone about it the way I have. Before I go any further check out the article or just read it below:

This is the question simplified. How did I even end up triple minoring in the first place? Am I not defeating the purpose of gaining a specified education. It would seem I'm becoming a jack of all trades rather than a master of a specified art. 

It would have been impossible to go more in-depth in the small amount of space the newspaper provided me, but I'm able to do so on here. 

This is my philosophy on the college experience-

"Graduate with experience, not credits." 

What does that mean? Basically, I see far too many individuals leave school with a degree, yet still have a basic or vague understanding of their craft. Worse, they are unsure of their own aspirations. 

Right now, I'm technically a Film Production Major with minors in French, Liberal Arts, & Telecommunications and Film. 

Disregard the French and Liberal Arts minors. Those were necessary play-calls to pad grades and find a comfortable habitat during my years in school. 

I've been taking French since high school. I love the language and culture and I'm hoping to live there at some point, so it's a personal goal. Plus, it was a good call considering I used it incessantly during my internship in France. Hindsight is 20/20 though. I would've never guessed my time in the foreign language would prove beneficial during my undergraduate years. 

The Liberal Arts minor stemmed from a program I participated in known as Blount Undergraduate Initiative. Some say a Liberal Arts degree is useless, but participating in the program has landed me a permanent job as a Residential Advisor on campus, grants ensuring I had enough money to go to France, contribution to help finance projects I've worked on, and tapping me into one of the best support systems a student can hope to have during his undergrad. 

Still, this isn't the most important piece to understanding the state of my game-plan. As stated before, I believe in getting experience first, credit later when it comes to classes. I've done well academically no matter the class, but I adamantly believe a class is only worth the real-world experience it garners. 

My concentration in film stems from an interdisciplinary route devised through the UA department known as New College. I began my studies working through classes I considered beneficial to understanding the extent of my concentration. This therein led me to the TCF (Telecommunications and Film) department. Unfortunately, after taking their entry level class (which was completely irrelevant and unnecessary) I knew I needed the technical skills within the TCF department, but I did not want to waste my time or money on classes with little gain except a few more credits towards graduation. 

Two semesters later I would end up meeting with Dr. Raimist, whom I've spoken of before. She allowed me to skip most entry level classes and register for courses she considered beneficial. She did give me one condition. I would have to declare a minor in TCF. This would allow me to register for classes without a need for overrides and give legitimacy to my concentration. 

I dived in without hesitation. 

Thankfully, my choice has not led me astray. It has also allowed me to produce some of my best work   including Bottom of a Glass and I Dont' Got. 

Honestly, this is the short version of how I came to be a Film Production major with three minors, but the entire story is something I'd like to share another time. 

My main point in detailing my evolution in course study is to highlight my belief experience trumps everything. If you don't need a class to learn something then don't, but if you are going to take classes do whatever is possible to ensure the ones you are taking prove beneficial in the long run. 

So far, I believe I've done so. 

Remember, It's Not Everyone

I tend to directly highlight photography or film-work I've done on the sight, but I occasionally do written work as well. The Crimson White is The University of Alabama's student newspaper. Founded in 1894, the CW caters to the university as well as the Tuscaloosa area. During my freshmen and sophomore years I wrote as a freelance writer, but recently I've been picked up as a bi-weekly columnist and an occasional photographer. 

Here is my most recent work for the newspaper. 

Just remember, it’s not everyone

by Xavier Burgin

Recently, the University of Alabama endured quite a dilemma in regard to inappropriate comments aimed towards individuals of African-American descent. Simply said, a white student used a racial slur against a black student. Definitely not on my cool list.

Let me first dispel any validity in the argument that if African-Americans use the “N word,” it gives everyone the right to do so. In conversations, ladies have the tendency to call one another slurs. This may not be the most endearing way to refer to your best friend forever, but it is used nonetheless.

Now, if you heard two ladies say this to one another, please visually gauge their reaction if you walked up and began a conversation in the same manner. You’re not proving a point that if one person says it, all should be able to say it. You’re not fighting for free speech or the equality of verbal language. You’re just worming through the rhetoric and logic of a racist.

The use of racial slurs has happened on many occasions, but one of the main notions generated from situations such as these always leaves me adequately annoyed. When any act of prejudice or discrimination occurs, you can expect the black community to produce an uproar. It is expected and it is justified. What I do not like from the upheaval is the immediate classification of all white people under an overreaching bluegrass country, racist umbrella.

During times of immediate crisis or racial upheaval, individuals quickly focus blame on others. This is understandable, especially when speaking in terms of those victimized. Unfortunately, blame is most often overextended.

In this case the blame was delegated to the Panhellenic/Interfraternity Council Greek system and then the on-campus white population in general. It is true when an individual makes an egregious decision you can map back his background to a larger, more intricate system which he or she can be defined by, but the entirety of the problem cannot be displaced on a system or, more specifically, on a race.

It’s the equivalent of someone linking one African-American’s decision to rob a store to the entire culture, or relating one Islamic individual’s decision to commit acts of terrorism to the entire religion.

It’s unfounded and has little substance. Specific people must be held accountable, not entire groups. Extreme prejudice, hostility or racism must not be pinned on an entire culture.

I say this with an asterisk beside my words. A culture still has the capability to breed problems. Racism is not inherent. Somewhere along the spectrum prejudice based on skin color is taught. Let’s just not forget there are those people who actively fight against racism as diligently as the African-American populace.

Still, for those teetering on the spectrum, quietly pondering whether your dislike based on another person’s skin color is acceptable, walk outside the intellectually incestuous group you live within. You’ll find an atmosphere of tolerance quite unexpected at the University of Alabama. Contrary to the microcosm you have been raised in or have found sanctum with, racial slurs and bigotry are not prized possessions students at this University hold with pride.

For my fellow African-Americans, do not forget that lumping together an entire race or culture based on the actions of one or a few makes you just as intolerant as those who have always held our ancestry against us. One of the biggest steps towards progression is the ability to teeter away from hypocrisy. We cannot allow ourselves to succumb to the same harmful thoughts another individual harbors. More importantly, we cannot allow similar actions to be repeated in retaliation. All validity in an argument or belief is lost when those who stand behind it lose their own credibility through harmful decisions.

Most of all, just remember. It’s not everyone.

Xavier Burgin is a junior majoring in interdisciplinary studies and film production. His column runs biweekly on Fridays.

Topics: Columns, Opinion
Tags: Short URL: http://cw.ua.edu/?p=13858

I've also had the privilege of being part of articles as well, the most recent being the wrap-up of Campus Movie Fest, welcoming new members of my Fraternity, and my time at the Cannes Film Festival. When you get a chance check out the work being produced at Alabama in The Crimson White. 

We Are The Youth

Dianna Scholl and Laurel Golio 

A week or so ago I have the privilege of photographing the minds behind the "We are the Youth" movement and documentary.

W-ATY was an idea cultivated from the minds of Laurel Golio and Dianna Scholl. Quoting from the website:

"We Are the Youth is a photographic journalism project chronicling the individual stories of LGBTQ youth in the United States."

If you don't already know LGBTQ stands for Lesbian-Gay-Bi-Transgender-Queer. Here's some background. The LGBTQ is a large nationally recognized group which highlights many of the problems children, students, and individuals in general experience due to prejudice or hatred against their sexual orientation.

The group does not discriminate against membership. Straight or Gay, LGBTQ looks for people who are willing to help the cause. As a Residential Advisor at the University of Alabama I recognize LGBTQ and sponsor an offshoot of their premise known as SAFE ZONE which designates my residence as a place kids can go to if problems related to sexual orientation occurrences emerge.

Dianna talking to a Anna, a student at the University of Alabama, about her experiences

I'm getting a tad bit off topic though. Laurel and Dianna decided to document the lives of LGBTQ youth by photographing & interviewing students across the United States who proudly express sexual orientation without qualms in response to those who would condemn them.

I ended up covering this event for a news photographs for my college newspaper, but I thought this would be something interesting to share as well.

Be sure to check out their blog We Are The Youth and their fan page. For more information on LGBQT check out their site here. Looking forward to seeing this piece of work completed,