Precious

I recently read an article that peaked my interest-
http://www.afro-netizen.com/2010/03/embracing-precious-the-nuances-and-truths-in-the-individual-and-collective-stories-we-tell.html

It talks about the movie Precious and how it brings a voice and solidarity to those in similar situations while at the same time brings a negative image of Blacks in the US. She makes an interesting point of the duality of impact a movie like Precious has. Part of me wants nothing to do with the film because it just perpetuates the victimization of Blacks in America and shows negative aspects of my people to an ever increasingly ignorant audience. But on the other hand it gives a voice to the voiceless and lets them know they are not alone and may stimulate some type of change and help motivate people to impliment better child care, and mental health sources for the abused and traumatized. I am leaning more toward Precious being a negative impact on the image of Blacks in America because there aren't enough movies to balance it out. I recently went to see Brooklyn's Finest and the trailers that were shown were more of the same- Black families acting crazy , drama, drama, and more drama. Even the movie, which was directed by a Black man, still managed to depict Blacks in a negative way. I realize that movies like Precious, Slum Dog Millionaire, and Maria Full of Grace, aren't there to perpetuate stereotypes. But when those are the majority of films being made which represent a cast of minorities it gives those of privelege a narrow minded view of the people being depicted. I think the movie studios need to broaden their horizons and release more positive movies as well. Most people haven't even heard of The Great Debaters, and when there is a positive movie with minorities in it there is a white hero there to guide them to glory. *Cough* Sandra Bullock *Cough*. The article goes on to say that we are in fact getting misrepresented in the media because even though there are many stories out there like Precious there are just as many successful stories of minorities that have persevered.