Columbia College Chicago Professor Stephanie Shonekan also questions the severity of Lee and other’s criticism of Perry, defining his dramedy perspective as “just one lens.” “It seems Spike Lee would like the black experience viewed through only his lens, or his aesthetic, but there must be space for everyone,” Shonekan said, “If this is Perry’s way of creating his path to the American dream, it’s his way. If Spike Lee and others want to see more than Tyler Perry, then they need to make more films.”
It’s hard to accept for those who wish he’d do more with his resources, but Perry cannot be expected to ensure that each of his characters and plot lines reflects the full facet of the black experience. And the blue dress wearing, gun-toting grandma “Madea” clearly is not to blame for all that ails black culture. Instead of criticizing Perry, detractors should start encouraging him- once, a homeless playwright – to offer a video based fundraising course aimed at helping underrepresented groups better infiltrate film and TV.
Maybe then, more minority voices could be heard…right alongside Madea’s.
Source: Article appeared in The Red Eye Chicago; April 22nd 2011;
Appeared in The Black Truth News Volume 2 Issue 5 May 2011