You know who you are.
You’re the ones using search engines to seek out information on The Help, trying to find information on what African Americans think about the book or the movie. Perhaps you need to know if anyone feels a similar disappointment and frustration, as you recognize neither the book or the movie does justice to the countless men and women who toiled under the oppression regime known as segregation.
Maid at the door, silence and almost invisible. Hey, how come she's not laughing and grinning like Minny and Aibileen?
And I have to thank all those who cited or mentioned this blog in their articles, which also helped generate hits.
This site has been mentioned by CNN.com, The Root (ha-ha, my “snark” didn’t sit well with this reviewer),The UK Independent (a personal thanks to writer Sarah Hughes for being one of the first journalists to at least mention the Medgar Evers error I found in the book), Racialicious (a personal thanks to writer Latoya Peterson, she was the first to link to this blog), Jezebel, The Daily Beast, Bitch Magazine, Persephone Magazine, Ms. magazine blog, Specter Magazine, The Pasadeana Art Beat blog (I must personally thank writer Jana J. Monji for also bringing up my point about the Medgar Evers error in the book), The LATimes.com , The NY Times.com and so many more . . .
THANK YOU, all of you for reading and referring others to this blog, and to those who add comments.
A special thanks to those who’ve decided to speak out publicly. I’ve noted on this site about the unified response African American educators and writers gave to William Styron’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel The Confessions of Nat Turner. When the Association of Black Women Historians, as well as Professor and author Melissa Harris Perry, author Martha Southgate, Actor Wendell Pierce, Professor and author Valerie Boyd were just some of the people who dared to speak out, I was so glad to know others recognized where Stockett went badly astray.
To the ladies on the Amazon.com thread who keep the conversation going. We’ve got diverse posters from around the world weighing in, and I thank you one and all!
To Bernestine Singley: Your personal reflections on your mom’s employment need to be made into a movie, for the phone conversation alone with a real life “Skeeter”.
Link: Sniffing Dirty Laundry: A True Story from “the Help’s” Daughter
Back in the summer I was asked by one of the executive producers of The Help, a Mr. Michael Barnathan whether 100 Voices Respond to the Help was a success. Kwanda Scott Ford and I held an all day conversation on Twitter, informing people of the problems in the novel. We held it on July 16th, which is the birthday of Ida B. Wells, a pioneer of feminism and civil rights.
Ida B Wells, a "feminist" before her time
I told him yes, it was a success. And I must give him props for participating in the twitter discussion.
You see, our goal was a simple one. To get the word out regarding the inconsistencies and outright falsehoods about the black culture in Kathryn Stockett’s novel. We wanted a discussion on Stockett’s creation, both pro and con, which should have taken place when the book was released but somehow never did.
We knew full well that it would take time, and were prepared to wait. We didn’t have to wait long though, for a number of national and international reviewers, readers and educators to have their say. And finally, we didn’t feel so all alone in our view of the issues within and outside of the novel.
So to the woman in Philly, at The National Black Journalists Convention who courageously asked Kathryn Stockett a question on her use of real life historical events, a woman who wasn’t dazzled or overwhelmed by either a famous author or the venue, and who got this response from Stockett: “I just made this shit up!”
I don’t know who you are, but I want you know this:
If you felt alone in your viewpoint, and walked away from that day believing nothing positive came out of holding your ground, please let me be the first to say:
Thank you. Thank you for speaking out.
T. Laurel Sulfate, Snarkurchin
November 19, 2011
Thank YOU! I found this blog when I started reading The Help because some friends and relatives love it so much. I did get through the whole book, but it took a long time, and I did throw the damned thing across the room more than once.
This blog is packed with information and education for anyone who wants to understand why this book and movie are so very…messed up. The posts supply cultural and historical contexts for those who need them and specific gripes with the book/movie/author for those who may have missed them.
It’s also updated regularly, well-designed, and easily navigated. I’ve recommended it to many people and will continue to do so.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
acriticalreviewofthehelp
November 19, 2011
Hi Laurel,
You’re welcome, and my sincere thanks for your post. I’d set up the blog with the hope of educating and also to encourage those who have a different opinion on the novel, so I’m glad to hear its been of some use.
T. Laurel Sulfate, Snarkurchin
November 19, 2011
In all seriousness, I cannot say enough good things about this blog and the effort you’ve put into it. I teach college English, and I’ve already recommended this blog as a resource.
I hope you’re getting the good feedback you deserve. I’m only sorry I didn’t comment sooner.
mhcrocombe
November 21, 2011
So glad I found this blog…I really felt that I was the only person in the world who hated the book. You’ve collected so much great information and analysis here. Fantastic job.