I need to see the movie AND read the book!

Viola is looking so lovely on the cover of Essence.

I tell you...it never fails....domestics get the tea on everything going on the boss's house. Why do people talk so freely in front of the help anyway? They think the domestics are stupid or something?

I remember my mom told me that she cleaned homes after school in her teen years and there was this one home where the lady had like 7 kids and only 2 of them were the husband's.

I have no interest in seeing this movie, honestly; I get it. We used to have to be maids because a lot of options weren't open to us. I get that, and I respect them and everything they went through. But I'd rather see more movies about healthy, normal black families and young professionals. I'd love to see a movie where the black female lead plays a doctor or something. I'm not a maid, I'll be damned if I ever become one, and I don't know any, either. My sister has a master's degree in psychology, is a few years shy of thirty years old, and is about to buy her own house.

[Edited 8/23/11 14:00pm]

Why Folks in a uproar with the help?

This is just Black history

Who remembers that law where black women where only allowed to do Domestic work?(i forgot what it's called.)

As History major I learned that maids and blue collar working black people were just as influential if not more in the progression of Blacks in America.

IM so glad that someone is recognizing the Unsung hero's. These women didn't choose to be maids...

formallypickles said:

Why Folks in a uproar with the help?

This is just Black history

Who remembers that law where black women where only allowed to do Domestic work?(i forgot what it's called.)

As History major I learned that maids and blue collar working black people were just as influential if not more in the progression of Blacks in America.

IM so glad that someone is recognizing the Unsung hero's. These women didn't choose to be maids...

Thing is, this is stuff we all know already, and a story that's been told over and over and over again. They can find time to make a crapload of stories about black women as maids or welfare mothers but it's rare you see anything about black women as lawyers, doctors, etc.

I'm starting to think that's by design, that they want to make sure we don't see ourselves as being capable of much more than making beds and cleaning other people's houses.

PippiL said:

formallypickles said:

Why Folks in a uproar with the help?

This is just Black history

Who remembers that law where black women where only allowed to do Domestic work?(i forgot what it's called.)

As History major I learned that maids and blue collar working black people were just as influential if not more in the progression of Blacks in America.

IM so glad that someone is recognizing the Unsung hero's. These women didn't choose to be maids...

Thing is, this is stuff we all know already, and a story that's been told over and over and over again. They can find time to make a crapload of stories about black women as maids or welfare mothers but it's rare you see anything about black women as lawyers, doctors, etc.

I'm starting to think that's by design, that they want to make sure we don't see ourselves as being capable of much more than making beds and cleaning other people's houses.

I hear what you're saying and it IS by design because Hollywood doesn't give a shit about showing balanced images of blacks and other minorities. It's not profitable.

SCNDLS said:

PippiL said:

Thing is, this is stuff we all know already, and a story that's been told over and over and over again. They can find time to make a crapload of stories about black women as maids or welfare mothers but it's rare you see anything about black women as lawyers, doctors, etc.

I'm starting to think that's by design, that they want to make sure we don't see ourselves as being capable of much more than making beds and cleaning other people's houses.

I hear what you're saying and it IS by design because Hollywood doesn't give a shit about showing balanced images of blacks and other minorities. It's not profitable.

I think they're just assuming that, because I know plenty of other black people that would gladly go see a film about a black female physician. They'd make way more of a profit than they think.

[Edited 8/23/11 14:43pm]

PippiL said:

formallypickles said:

Why Folks in a uproar with the help?

This is just Black history

Who remembers that law where black women where only allowed to do Domestic work?(i forgot what it's called.)

As History major I learned that maids and blue collar working black people were just as influential if not more in the progression of Blacks in America.

IM so glad that someone is recognizing the Unsung hero's. These women didn't choose to be maids...

Thing is, this is stuff we all know already, and a story that's been told over and over and over again. They can find time to make a crapload of stories about black women as maids or welfare mothers but it's rare you see anything about black women as lawyers, doctors, etc.

I'm starting to think that's by design, that they want to make sure we don't see ourselves as being capable of much more than making beds and cleaning other people's houses.

There alot of great indie movies with meaty black characters. The Black Audience does not support them.

formallypickles said:

PippiL said:

Thing is, this is stuff we all know already, and a story that's been told over and over and over again. They can find time to make a crapload of stories about black women as maids or welfare mothers but it's rare you see anything about black women as lawyers, doctors, etc.

I'm starting to think that's by design, that they want to make sure we don't see ourselves as being capable of much more than making beds and cleaning other people's houses.

There alot of great indie movies with meaty black characters. The Black Audience does not support them.

Indie movies don't do well in general because most people don't know about them. I'm talking about mainstream movie studios and their tendency to always pick subject matter like this when they depict blacks.

And the black market will definitely support different portrayals of African-Americans when they know about them; I think this show did okay...

tinaz said:

myfavorite said:

sooo, I'm wondering, are we allowed to "sass" racist white folk now???

When were you ever told you couldnt?

tinaz, you dont know nothing bout racist white folk do ya???

I really want to see this movie for not only the subject, but also because some of it was filmed right here in Jackson. I remember them altering some of the buildings in the Fondren area of town to make them look like they did back then. They did a really great job of it. It was really a trip though. One side of the road looked like the 1960s and the other side of the road, that the cameras didn't film, looked like the 2000s.

I haven't been to an actual movie theater in decades to see a movie though. I always wait until they come out on DVD and in this day and age, is only a matter of months. I'm tempted to go to the theater though for this one.

I'm a "Movie Fanatic' and I've been reluctant to see "The Help' considering how they painted and played out the young kid in "The Blind Side" as ignorant and a total Baffoon. In reality he's a smart young man. The Director decided to play down the kid and portray him like he was a Dumb "Mute" so Sandra could shine.

Viola is DESTINED for an Oscar and she is a "Movie-Critics Darling"...Whether or not she'll get the "Supporting" or "Leading" Actress Nomination for "The Help" is already being debated by Industry critics.

I've read great reviews online from movie-goers about "The Help"...I might check it out this weekend and report back with my own take on it...

The Essence Photo-Cover above is Out of Sight...Nobody does a Cover-shot like Essence....

Chancellor said:

I'm a "Movie Fanatic' and I've been reluctant to see "The Help' considering how they painted and played out the young kid in "The Blind Side" as ignorant and a total Baffoon. In reality he's a smart young man. The Director decided to play down the kid and portray him like he was a Dumb "Mute" so Sandra could shine.

Viola is DESTINED for an Oscar and she is a "Movie-Critics Darling"...Whether or not she'll get the "Supporting" or "Leading" Actress Nomination for "The Help" is already being debated by Industry critics.

I've read great reviews online from movie-goers about "The Help"...I might check it out this weekend and report back with my own take on it...

The Essence Photo-Cover above is Out of Sight...Nobody does a Cover-shot like Essence....

gilles bensimon (kelly's ex) shot the pics

[Edited 8/23/11 16:24pm]

SCNDLS said:

gilles bensimon (kelly's ex) shot the pics

Did you ever check out the Photo spread in Ebony when they featured Viola & Taraji during their Oscar campaigns(years ago)? Those photos were too-good for words but I think the Essence cover-shot of Viola captures her "beauty" in a way we've never seen....

[Edited 8/23/11 16:35pm]

Chancellor said:

SCNDLS said:

gilles bensimon (kelly's ex) shot the pics

Did you ever check out the Photo spread in Ebony when they featured Viola & Taraji during their Oscar campaigns(years ago)? Those photos were too-good for words but I think the Essence cover-shot of Viola captures her "beauty" in a way we've never seen....

[Edited 8/23/11 16:35pm]

True

tinaz said:

chocolate1 said:

I saw it with my Mom & Sis last week. I thought it was very well done.

In some ways, it was hard to watch.

Personal story: My Granny was a domestic; she took care of a boy and girl who were a little bit older than I was in the 70s. I remember going over there sometimes and playing with the girl, Karen, while Granny worked. Occasionally, Granny would bring a dress or something home for me.

When we were older and out of college, my first teaching job in 1989 was at a private school where Karen already worked (I did not know that when I applied).

When our coworkers asked how we knew each other, I just said that we "grew up" together and left it at that.

One day, Karen got me in front of a group of teachers and said, "We didn't grow up together. Her Grandmother used to clean my house. I used to give her my hand-me-downs."

Watching that movie brought that memory back so vividly.

I also thought about what Granny must have gone through.

She split her time with another house as well. I don't remember as much about that family.

Granny is 94 now; both the ladies she worked for are dead.

I have never wantyed to smack a bitch down more than when I just read that statement

me too!

Who did Octavia play on Ugly Betty? Wait, was she that woman that escaped jail with Judith Light's character?

Chancellor said:

I'm a "Movie Fanatic' and I've been reluctant to see "The Help' considering how they painted and played out the young kid in "The Blind Side" as ignorant and a total Baffoon. In reality he's a smart young man. The Director decided to play down the kid and portray him like he was a Dumb "Mute" so Sandra could shine.

Viola is DESTINED for an Oscar and she is a "Movie-Critics Darling"...Whether or not she'll get the "Supporting" or "Leading" Actress Nomination for "The Help" is already being debated by Industry critics.

I've read great reviews online from movie-goers about "The Help"...I might check it out this weekend and report back with my own take on it...

The Essence Photo-Cover above is Out of Sight...Nobody does a Cover-shot like Essence....

That's exactly what I thought about the "Blind Side" too....I didn't see why it was all hyped up where the "take no shit" rich white lady takes pity on a talented black boy who lives in a rough neighborhood but needs her to help him stand up for himself. Honestly, I think you should go see "The Help"...I really didn't expect it to be the movie it turned out to be and it was excellent.

With that said, I can understand how others are like "why is Hollywood always making these movies about back in the day when African Americans had no options and how hard it was instead of making movies about how African Americans are successful and lead successful lives" but at the same time, I don't think the stories of the past should be ignored either. Yes those awful things happened, but while we have the pleasure of only viewing those experiences in a movie, you can only imagine how the people who ACTUALLY lived it and went through it felt.

scriptgirl said:

Who did Octavia play on Ugly Betty? Wait, was she that woman that escaped jail with Judith Light's character?

She was Ignacio's INS case worker who fell in love with him

missfee said:

Chancellor said:

I'm a "Movie Fanatic' and I've been reluctant to see "The Help' considering how they painted and played out the young kid in "The Blind Side" as ignorant and a total Baffoon. In reality he's a smart young man. The Director decided to play down the kid and portray him like he was a Dumb "Mute" so Sandra could shine.

Viola is DESTINED for an Oscar and she is a "Movie-Critics Darling"...Whether or not she'll get the "Supporting" or "Leading" Actress Nomination for "The Help" is already being debated by Industry critics.

I've read great reviews online from movie-goers about "The Help"...I might check it out this weekend and report back with my own take on it...

The Essence Photo-Cover above is Out of Sight...Nobody does a Cover-shot like Essence....

That's exactly what I thought about the "Blind Side" too....I didn't see why it was all hyped up where the "take no shit" rich white lady takes pity on a talented black boy who lives in a rough neighborhood but needs her to help him stand up for himself. Honestly, I think you should go see "The Help"...I really didn't expect it to be the movie it turned out to be and it was excellent.

With that said, I can understand how others are like "why is Hollywood always making these movies about back in the day when African Americans had no options and how hard it was instead of making movies about how African Americans are successful and lead successful lives" but at the same time, I don't think the stories of the past should be ignored either. Yes those awful things happened, but while we have the pleasure of only viewing those experiences in a movie, you can only imagine how the people who ACTUALLY lived it and went through it felt.

Sure those stories should be told, but where's the balance?

SCNDLS said:

missfee said:

That's exactly what I thought about the "Blind Side" too....I didn't see why it was all hyped up where the "take no shit" rich white lady takes pity on a talented black boy who lives in a rough neighborhood but needs her to help him stand up for himself. Honestly, I think you should go see "The Help"...I really didn't expect it to be the movie it turned out to be and it was excellent.

With that said, I can understand how others are like "why is Hollywood always making these movies about back in the day when African Americans had no options and how hard it was instead of making movies about how African Americans are successful and lead successful lives" but at the same time, I don't think the stories of the past should be ignored either. Yes those awful things happened, but while we have the pleasure of only viewing those experiences in a movie, you can only imagine how the people who ACTUALLY lived it and went through it felt.

Sure those stories should be told, but where's the balance?

It's Hollywood. There's never any balance. The focus right now is remaking remakes. There's always a period where they keep making the same type of movies over and over (as far as African American's go) Remember the 70's was all about the Blaxploitation era, the 80's were about comedies, early 90's was all about the hood movies and then the mid to late 90's and early 00's there was a big boom in movies about successful African Americans (Eve's Bayou, Love Jones, The Best Man, Two Can Play This Game, Brown Sugar, The Brothers, Something New etc.)...then all of a sudden that came to a halt. Now it's all about Tyler Perry's movies...with a few movies like "The Help" in between. Just my observation.

missfee said:

SCNDLS said:

Sure those stories should be told, but where's the balance?

It's Hollywood. There's never any balance. The focus right now is remaking remakes. There's always a period where they keep making the same type of movies over and over (as far as African American's go) Remember the 70's was all about the Blaxploitation era, the 80's were about comedies, early 90's was all about the hood movies and then the mid to late 90's and early 00's there was a big boom in movies about successful African Americans (Eve's Bayou, Love Jones, The Best Man, Two Can Play This Game, Brown Sugar, The Brothers, Something New etc.)...then all of a sudden that came to a halt. Now it's all about Tyler Perry's movies...with a few movies like "The Help" in between. Just my observation.

True AND sad.

chocolate1 said:

I saw it with my Mom & Sis last week. I thought it was very well done.

In some ways, it was hard to watch.

Personal story: My Granny was a domestic; she took care of a boy and girl who were a little bit older than I was in the 70s. I remember going over there sometimes and playing with the girl, Karen, while Granny worked. Occasionally, Granny would bring a dress or something home for me.

When we were older and out of college, my first teaching job in 1989 was at a private school where Karen already worked (I did not know that when I applied).

When our coworkers asked how we knew each other, I just said that we "grew up" together and left it at that.

One day, Karen got me in front of a group of teachers and said, "We didn't grow up together. Her Grandmother used to clean my house. I used to give her my hand-me-downs."

Watching that movie brought that memory back so vividly.

I also thought about what Granny must have gone through.

She split her time with another house as well. I don't remember as much about that family.

Granny is 94 now; both the ladies she worked for are dead.

Wow.

You, M'lady, are clearly a far better Christian than I. I'm not sure how I would have reacted had it been me

I'm just stunned from reading this. Truly.

Ottensen said:

chocolate1 said:

I saw it with my Mom & Sis last week. I thought it was very well done.

In some ways, it was hard to watch.

Personal story: My Granny was a domestic; she took care of a boy and girl who were a little bit older than I was in the 70s. I remember going over there sometimes and playing with the girl, Karen, while Granny worked. Occasionally, Granny would bring a dress or something home for me.

When we were older and out of college, my first teaching job in 1989 was at a private school where Karen already worked (I did not know that when I applied).

When our coworkers asked how we knew each other, I just said that we "grew up" together and left it at that.

One day, Karen got me in front of a group of teachers and said, "We didn't grow up together. Her Grandmother used to clean my house. I used to give her my hand-me-downs."

Watching that movie brought that memory back so vividly.

I also thought about what Granny must have gone through.

She split her time with another house as well. I don't remember as much about that family.

Granny is 94 now; both the ladies she worked for are dead.

Wow.

You, M'lady, are clearly a far better Christian than I. I'm not sure how I would have reacted had it been me

I'm just stunned from reading this. Truly.

Thank you.

I was very embarrassed.

When I told my Mom about it, she asked me if I was ashamed of Granny making an honest living. The subject sort of dropped, because it wasn't about that.

I just didn't understand why she needed to say that. But now I realize she needed to make the distinction to keep me "in my place".

I haven't seen Karen since that year. I wonder what she'd think about my "place" now.

PippiL said:

I have no interest in seeing this movie, honestly; I get it. We used to have to be maids because a lot of options weren't open to us. I get that, and I respect them and everything they went through. But I'd rather see more movies about healthy, normal black families and young professionals. I'd love to see a movie where the black female lead plays a doctor or something. I'm not a maid, I'll be damned if I ever become one, and I don't know any, either. My sister has a master's degree in psychology, is a few years shy of thirty years old, and is about to buy her own house.

[Edited 8/23/11 14:00pm]

I know where you're coming from--not enough -- NO movies about real black women as contirbutors to our society today; the doctors, educators, lawyers, media, government, electeds, etc. having real lives. The Cosby show was the closest thing and ooops, that's gone.

I remember watching the first Sex in the City episodes and thinking, that's me and my friends....LOL. It would be great if there was a movie or TV series like SITC about us--its not like we do not exist as professional, attractive, intelligent women.

In the movie The Help there was something amazing and wonderful about the characters whom didn't portray downtroddin beat-down black women, just the opposite. It did tell the truth about the women they worked for which IMO was refreshing.

You might want to give it another thought.

formallypickles said:

Why Folks in a uproar with the help?

This is just Black history

Who remembers that law where black women where only allowed to do Domestic work?(i forgot what it's called.)

As History major I learned that maids and blue collar working black people were just as influential if not more in the progression of Blacks in America.

IM so glad that someone is recognizing the Unsung hero's. These women didn't choose to be maids...

Absolutely. Back in the day black society (mostly contained in the inner-city neighborhoods) was comprised of very upstanding, blue-collar working people who practice family values and concern for the community. The maids, butlers, drivers were looked upon as members of the working middle class and often held positions in the community of respect. My play-grandad was a driver (chauffer) but he was also a Elder in the Church who was highly respected.

formallypickles said:

PippiL said:

Thing is, this is stuff we all know already, and a story that's been told over and over and over again. They can find time to make a crapload of stories about black women as maids or welfare mothers but it's rare you see anything about black women as lawyers, doctors, etc.

I'm starting to think that's by design, that they want to make sure we don't see ourselves as being capable of much more than making beds and cleaning other people's houses.

There alot of great indie movies with meaty black characters. The Black Audience does not support them.

Sadly I have to agree. That was one of Spike Lee's major complaints--Get on the Bus was one example. Spike indicated he could never get the community to support a movie with blacks doing the right thing so to speak. I think that's why some of us have issues with the Tyler Perry stuff because it seems to promote more of the stereotypical black than the real black middle and upper classes yet people seem to support those movies/plays.

myfavorite said:

tinaz said:

When were you ever told you couldnt?

tinaz, you dont know nothing bout racist white folk do ya???

she doesn't know about Strange Fruit.

Chancellor said:

I'm a "Movie Fanatic' and I've been reluctant to see "The Help' considering how they painted and played out the young kid in "The Blind Side" as ignorant and a total Baffoon. In reality he's a smart young man. The Director decided to play down the kid and portray him like he was a Dumb "Mute" so Sandra could shine.

Viola is DESTINED for an Oscar and she is a "Movie-Critics Darling"...Whether or not she'll get the "Supporting" or "Leading" Actress Nomination for "The Help" is already being debated by Industry critics.

I've read great reviews online from movie-goers about "The Help"...I might check it out this weekend and report back with my own take on it...

The Essence Photo-Cover above is Out of Sight...Nobody does a Cover-shot like Essence....

Please go see and let us know what you think.

sweething said:

myfavorite said:

tinaz, you dont know nothing bout racist white folk do ya???

she doesn't know about Strange Fruit.

tinaz said:

sweething said:

she doesn't know about Strange Fruit.

Yep, that's what Ms. Holiday was talking about.