- Letters to the editor 1963 and 1964
- The Real Housewives of Jackson, Mississippi Circa 1960
- ** Updated ** Links to posts on Aibileen Clark and the latest lawsuit APPEAL info
- About me
- PDF of #100Voicesrespondtothehelp
- A list of critical reviews for American Dirt
- Welcome
- A Mash Up of other Novels and The Help
- It’s 2011, and there’s still a Negro* problem in publishing and Hollywood
- The Importance of Speaking Out
- The Help (movie) cleans up after itself
- Chapter Observations
- Commentary
- For Students
- A List of Interviews with Kathryn Stockett
- Things That Should Not Be (in The Help)
- Why The Help gets on my last nerve
- Classics We Now Question
- My Reading List
- A History of being Misrepresented, Marginalized and Made a fool of
- Separate But Unequal in The Help
- Reviews for the novel
- Wall of Shame and Courage Photos
- Ten + issues that tarnish The Help **Updated!**
- Speaking for Ourselves: We don’t need any “Help”
An analysis of the novel The Help, its audio version and the movie. Blog est. in 2010
UK cover of The Help
US cover of The Help
Repost: Today is Father’s Day, yet there’s no positive black father figure in The Help
Today is Father’s Day. And while both the novel and the movie of Kathryn Stockett’s blockbuster, controversial creation attempted to rehabilitate the southern white males who practiced segregation (like the overseas marketing which labeled Stuart Whitworth as a “Handsome, Good Ole’ Boy” and Johnny Foote as a “Southern Gentleman.” See the screenshots below). The black males […]
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Of Mammies, Migrants and Book Editors
February 6, 2020
What do you give up as an author, when you turn over almost all creative control to a publishing kingmaker? Sometimes the cost should give an ambitious writer reason to pause. The publishing industry tried to peddle another error prone novel about people of color, specifically Latinos. But this time a marginalized group fought back. […]
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Top Ten Ways AMERICAN DIRT & THE HELP Misrepresent
January 30, 2020
This is about freedom of speech and falsehoods. No one stopped either Kathryn Stockett’s The Help or Jeanine Cummins American Dirt from being published. Both books are readily available to the public, and so are criticisms directed at each, broken down to ten quick items on this post, because American Dirt will be utilized at some […]
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American Dirtbag: Why Publishing profits off “Othering”
January 25, 2020
I’m part of “the other.” I’m not the reader base many major publishers salivate over. Thus my opinions and objections over how my culture is depicted don’t mean shit when there’s money to be made. Having created this blog back in 2010 when Kathryn Stockett’s The Help was the IT book, I think I can […]
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A Teachable Moment: Trump and “Go Back to ________”
July 19, 2019
Readers, while many of you may have no recollection of life under segregation, please understand that you’re getting a disturbing example of it from none other than Donald Trump, the president of the United States. Sometimes a picture can cut to the heart of the matter in this discussion? debate? denial? regarding the intent of […]
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A Critical Review of The Green Book
January 10, 2019
First, let me say to Donald Shirley’s family: You have my sincere respect and gratitude. What you’re experiencing right now (attempts at silencing and downright ignoring your criticism by some in the media) is routine when Hollywood falls in love with these kinds of stories. In the push to show how liberal the industry is, […]
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Black Lives Matter versus All Lives Matter
July 11, 2016
THIS: Look at his eyes. Really look at them. Now look at the officer’s left knee, and how he’s kneeling on the man’s head. Look at the officer’s right thigh by the man’s mouth, as if to silence any speech. What would’ve happened if he’d uttered the words “I can’t breathe?” […]
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In defense of Black Lives Matter
July 10, 2016
If you’ve read The Help and just love it because its so darn heart warming how that spunky white girl led those humorous maids into activism, then listen up. Because current events in this country ironically mirror some of what really happened back then, and what race relations were actually about. And just like I […]
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The Help’s effect on Children’s Literature
January 18, 2016
After the success of The Help, I figured it was only a matter of time before some other enterprising author wanted their own happy slave, happy domestic narrative. Since audiences howled with laughter at Minny’s antics in the book and the film (gaining former comedienne and now full time actress Octavia Spencer a best supporting […]
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Is the 2016 election being influenced by Segregationist Ideology?
December 10, 2015
Why am I not surprised by the divisive rhetoric coming out of the mouth of the current GOP frontrunner? Well, I’ve seen and read about this type of politician before. Someone who wants to win by any means necessary, and if that means once again whipping up the fears of conservatives, then so be it. […]
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This Black Life Matters: An open letter to Shakara
November 1, 2015
Hello Shakara, I’m glad to finally know your first name. I realize due to your age, your identity had to be protected. I hope as time goes on you’ll be able to process what happened and move forward, not letting this terrible assault define who you are, and who you will be as you become […]
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I’m Back . . . .
June 21, 2015
Took a break, now I’m back. I’ll have new posts up in a few.
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What can “WE” do about Thug Kitchen?
October 20, 2014
Please notice that I said “we” as in not solely black people. But all those who are offended by the shenanigans played upon the public by a group of people who used a stereotype to its fullest extent, and in the process were rewarded for their efforts. Understand too, that this was a few years […]
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The Help Unchained in Thug Kitchen
October 16, 2014
Actual quotes from posts that are on the Thug Kitchen site. Some quotes were also repeated on Facebook and Twitter. No, I’m not making this up. Michelle Davis: We understand that running an anonymous blog may give a lot of people different ideas of who is running it. Matt Holloway: When we […]
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The Unraveling of Thug Kitchen – A Timeline of events
October 12, 2014
What the internet giveth, the internet can taketh away. Yes, this modern miracle of technology also known as the “web” can quickly make a savvy individual or “collective” a star. Just look at the public faces reportedly behind Thug Kitchen. Aw, just look at those chagrining widdle faces thrown out to the public: Uh-oh. My […]
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Racism for Dummies: From Amos ‘n Andy to Thug Kitchen
October 11, 2014
I’ll try to limit this to ten items, but I’d like to discuss the S word (no, it’s not slavery). The word for today is SEGREGATION and much of what you see happening regarding race, like a cut that continues to bleed in America, comes from that time period. We’ve become complacent people. Some readers […]
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Thug Kitchen: Faking the veggie funk in order to get PAID
October 9, 2014
Now hear this: Real thugs don’t write cookbooks because they’re too busy, you know, being thugs. So when the you know what hit the fan and the duo behind the popular blog (and recent novel) were revealed to be two individuals who’d probably reach for their phone to call 911 in the presence of […]
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After playing the ultimate Mammy, NOW Viola Davis complains
September 15, 2014
You know, I’m not sure what to think about Viola Davis’ new found loose tongue. Whereas Octavia Spencer acted (and still behaves) as if she can see no evil, hear no evil and will speak no evil regarding the revisionist history and downright stereotypical portrayals of blacks in The Help (both the book and the […]
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How one newspaper’s use of the “N word” for attention backfired
July 8, 2014
I guess I should start a brand new blog listing all the WTF articles and quotes from some well meaning folks who call themselves “Liberals” Chalk this next gem up to a writer for The West View News. You see, James Lincoln Collier thought he’d put it out there. In his piece, he decides to […]
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Reconstructing Mammy: New book planned for GWTW character
March 29, 2014
I wish this was simply a joke, but apparently it’s not. I guess it’s best to file this under “Oh Hell Naw” or “But their hearts were in the right place” (eye-roll). Margaret Mitchell’s estate has okay’ed a book about the character of Mammy, the feisty, loyal and highly stereotypical maid from Gone With The Wind. […]
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Thank you, Jonathan Martin
February 15, 2014
It took a lot of courage to walk away and to speak out. I’ve seen far too many young black men change who they are in order to fit in with guys who have an aggressive, overbearing personality, or basically, who truly believed they were “runnin’ thangs” At your heart, you are a GOOD PERSON. Never […]
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Bestowing “Honorary Blackness” has its roots in segregation
November 7, 2013
The Miami Dolphins bullying/hazing/conduct unbecoming case is still evolving, but I thought I’d take a look at the assertion by a Miami paper regarding the mood and opinions in the Dolphins locker room by some players. I guess if you live long enough, you can see where something from segregation gets recycled, and in this […]
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“We’re a culture, not a costume”
October 28, 2013
UPDATED TO ADD: I mean, WTF is wrong with some grown folks? Before I get to Julianne Hough’s big ass gaffe, take a look at these coaches who decided it was cool to go in blackface to a Halloween party (note to those who think its somehow okay to darken or lighten one’s […]
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Yes, black people lived in England during the 1800s
October 26, 2013
I can’t make it any clearer than the title of this post, which I’d originally labeled as “Yes, black people lived in England during the 1800s U stupid F@#%,” but decided to change it. Like most things on this site, I’m willing to back up my statement with copies of drawings, paintings, and links from educators […]
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The Top Ten Reasons Why The Butler beats The Help
August 25, 2013
I shouldn’t have to state this, but I will. Yes, The Help was based on a “beloved” novel (see my post on “beloved” novels, where many of them contain offensive depictions of minorities, yet they’re still crowned “beloved” by some non-minorities in these two posts Beware the Beloved Character and Classics We Now Question). And […]
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Coward. Liar. Murderer. Which “life” will George Zimmerman return to?
July 13, 2013
The verdict is in. And for me, certain things became clearer once the trial progressed. It’s important to point out, that although the verdict is not guilty, that does not mean George Zimmerman is innocent. Without cross-examination, only Zimmerman’s account of what happened seems to be the accepted version. And sadly, throughout American […]
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Is Trayvon Martin on trial FOR HIS OWN MURDER?
July 5, 2013
I held off on putting up this post, until after the Martin family testified. But after hearing the questions that George Zimmerman’s attorney just asked of Trayvon Martin’s mother, for example, had she held out the hope that her son had not contributed to his own death? I have to ask, Is Trayvon Martin on […]
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Defend your life: Paula Deen, Serena Williams and “traditions” like The Help
June 23, 2013
I’m a little younger than Paula Deen. And Serena Williams is a bit older than my first child, had she lived. But in each of these women’s statements which rocked the web this week, I recognized “tradition.” In Paula Deen’s case, it was the use of southern traditions that I’ve discussed at length on this blog. […]
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Repost: Today is Father’s Day, yet there’s no positive black father figure in The Help
June 16, 2013
Today is Father’s Day. And while both the novel and the movie of Kathryn Stockett’s blockbuster, controversial creation attempted to rehabilitate the southern white males who practiced segregation (like the overseas marketing which labeled Stuart Whitworth as a “Handsome, Good Ole’ Boy” and Johnny Foote as a “Southern Gentleman.” See the screenshots below). The black males […]
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The Tennessean Series: A Movement Emerges in Nashville
June 14, 2013
Powerful. Moving. Truly eye-opening, actual testimonials from those who were there during the civil rights movement. I’d encourage all who land on this blog to check out this series: Link: http://www.tennessean.com/civil-rights/ I’m also going to put the link in my sidebar, because I think these types of articles are vital in helping students understand […]
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How the Cheerios commercial highlights a big problem in America, and in The Help
June 2, 2013
Once again there’s a debate raging on the web. This time it concerns a Cheerios commercial which shows an interracial couple and their biracial child: Here’s the commercial and its YouTube link: Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYofm5d5Xdw Comments have been disabled, and according to the posts on Cheerios Facebook page, there are a […]
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OT: A back in the day brother, Charles Ramsey
May 9, 2013
I’m watching the arraignment of Ariel Castro, and I’m struck by how contrite and cowardly he appears. His eyes are downcast, he’s using a collar to hide part of his face, his shoulders are slumped. However, I’m not taking this as a sign that he’s remorseful. But looking at how he now comes across, I’m sure to the […]
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Deleted wtf scenes from an early script of The Help
March 2, 2013
After The Onion and Lisa Lampanelli’s tweets, which simply provided more examples of “When good Liberal go Bad,” now’s the time to switch gears (thus lowering my blood pressure) and get back to the point of this blog. I’d gone over just about everything in the novel of The Help, and though I haven’t […]
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When good Liberals go bad PT 2: The Onion’s tweet backfires
February 26, 2013
Well, at some point I’m gonna need a binder full of so-called “liberals” effin’ up. For those who don’t know, this young lady was an Academy Award nominee for Best Actress. Her name is Quvenzhané Wallis: The screen grab below has to do with Quvenzhané, and its from the website Jezebel.com […]
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When good Liberals go bad: Fakin’ the funk Part 1
February 23, 2013
Honestly, I’d never heard or even seen a comedian by the name of Lisa Lampanelli, until this: Lampanelli is in her fifties, has a show on comedy central, and is called the Queen of Insult comedy by some. Ah well, she may want to ask Andrew “Dice” Clay how long that label kept […]
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Tainted Love: The black actor’s dilemma in works like The Help and Django Unchained
February 16, 2013
“I don’t want input, I don’t want you to tell me if I’m doing anything wrong, heavens forbid. But I write a scene, and I think I’ve heard it as much as I can, but then when I read it to you – I don’t give it to you to read, I read it – […]
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We are not in control: Thoughts on Django, Lincoln and piling on Spike Lee
January 21, 2013
From the ill-conceived reality show that thankfully, did not make prime time “All my Babies Mamas” to the big budget Blaxploitation film “Django Unchained” WE ARE NOT IN CONTROL. Especially not the kind of control of say, those in Hollywood and television as they put forth images of mass consumption. Of note is how Lincoln was played with righteous dramatic reverence, securing […]
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Divided We Stand: Black Intra-racism and apathy in fiction and media
January 13, 2013
“I don’t like to do the nails of blacks. I left a salon in Rio because, there, I only did the nails of blacks.” It may surprise some readers to hear that the woman who reportedly said this (and much more) is black. This is an example of intra-racism. Fortunately, this woman didn’t get away […]
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The Help Unchained
December 20, 2012
The scene begins with Django having dinner at the plantation of Calvin Candy. Minny, the best cook in the county is upset because . . . To be continued . . .
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The Top Ten Reasons Educators should be wary of The Help
December 16, 2012
I must thank a commenter named Pauline for giving me the idea for this post, because her instructor assigned The Help and wanted examples of “courage” and additional themes that the students would then write a thesis on. I thought I’d list the top ten pitfalls for any educator who decides their class should study this […]
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Promoting a stereotype as a role model in The Help
December 6, 2012
I have to keep emphasizing this fundamental difference in what my opinion is regarding Kathryn Stockett’s primary black characters in The Help, because I tend to get offended correspondence from those who love them so. Stockett’s maids are really MAMMIES. and thus, they’re STEREOTYPES. That doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t love them, because that’s […]
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“Frying chicken makes you tend to feel better about life” WTF?
November 25, 2012
I’ve been reminded that I never did a post on Minny’s various lines in her ode to fried chicken. While the book has Minny salivating over okra and pork chops hot out of the pan, here’s what Oscar winning actress Octavia Spencer got to utter on film about chicken: “Frying chicken make you tend to […]
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MAMMY. MUST. DIE.
November 22, 2012
I’m speaking figuratively of course, not literally. I’m also not solely focused on the character named Mammy from Gone With The Wind, who has been used as a prototype for other black domestic characters in past films, and still influences some writers, even today. Back when Hattie McDaniel worked in Hollywood, acting […]
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Newest trend in advertising PT 2: Jemima Jewelry, or why not wear a miniature Mammy on your ears?
September 27, 2012
Oh joy.A few months ago I noted Adidas and their terribly misguided “shackle sneakers.” Read that post here Now Mammy Merchandise has reached a new low, as Dolce and Gabbana have decided in 2012, wearing a facsimile of a black woman from the ears of their models or splashed across the front of their clothes should be a hot trend. […]
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It’s all over but the shouting: My venture into ebook pubbing
September 4, 2012
I’m not a writer and I don’t claim to be one. But when I first started out debating others in 201o about The Help, one of the retorts I’d get back was “Well, if you don’t like the novel, then why don’t you write one.” While I viewed this comment as simply another roadblock […]
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The Blog that First Revealed The Medgar Evers error in The Help
Page 277 Hard copy of the novel The Help
Get ready for The Help musical Y’all (click image for larger view)
Live Feed
Boycott The Help Facebook Page
A Critical Review of the novel The Help 
June 21, 2020
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