- 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
Browsing All Posts filed under »Blog«
The Help: On the right side of profit but on the wrong side of history
By all accounts The Help made a tidy profit for its investors. Boxofficemojo lists the final theatrical release figures as $169,708,112 in domestic gross and $41,900,000 as the final tally in foreign distribution. Factor in DVD sales (domestic) from 2011 and 2o12: Link: http://www.the-numbers.com/dvd/charts/annual/2011.php Link: http://www.the-numbers.com/dvd/charts/annual/2011.php And this […]
Will criticizing books like “The Help” and “Revealing Eden” cause white authors not to write black characters?
August 7, 2012
The title of this post is in part, based upon a counterargument that’s usually framed this way: “White authors may stop writing minority characters if all they do is get criticized.” I’ve seen this around the internet several times, though worded a bit differently. But in the same context, and so I thought it was time to address […]
The Power of a Picture
August 4, 2012
I must thank Kwanda Ford for this photo. Mission Statement from the organization that created this thought provoking image: “Although public commentary describes the United States as “post-racial”, racism continues to exert a very real and pervasive influence on institutional policies and processes, interpersonal interactions, neighborhood infrastructure, socioeconomic opportunities, media imagery, and more. RISE is a […]
Finding Booker’s Place Among The Green Book
July 16, 2012
In 1965 Frank Defelitta made a documentary called Mississippi: A Self-Portrait. Setting up his camera in Greenwood, Mississippi he interviewed residents both black and white. One of those voices on film was Booker Wright, a personable African American waiter who worked at a restaurant called Lusco’s. It’s Booker Wright’s appearance in the documentary that was the impedus […]
The Bus Monitor, Bullying, and a painful reminder of the past
June 21, 2012
Someone has posted the full video on YouTube regarding the shameful, offensive and frankly “lack of home training” many of the students on this bus displayed toward an elderly bus Monitor. I couldn’t watch the whole ten minutes. I’ve seen this type of thing before unfortunately, though the participants were different. However back in the day I can […]
Please show your support for Jonathan Wall
June 20, 2012
I wanted to share this with readers who may not be aware: “My name is Jonathan Wall, and I am a 21 year old black male from Raleigh, NC. I was born and raised here, and just a few weeks ago I graduated from Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA. This fall I’ll be headed to […]
The newest trend in advertising: WTF ideas with offensive overtones
June 18, 2012
Yesterday I created a post regarding the Adidas shackle sneakers. Thankfully Adidas has seen the light and issued an apology. “We apologize if people are offended by the design and we are withdrawing our plans to make them available in the marketplace,” Here’s the link: http://thelook.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/19/12296143-adidas-cancels-release-of-controversial-shackle-sneaker?lite Good for them. While it never should have happened […]
REPOST: On Father’s Day, There’s no “BLACK” father figure in The Help
June 17, 2012
There is a more recent version of this post (2013) here I’ll have another post up with interviews and article links on what’s been going on after the Oscars for some of those involved with The Help. But today I’d like to repost a blog entry from last June, with a few additions for 2012. OT: […]
Lack of Diversity in YA: Why the love for the Mammy caricature, but none for her children?
May 5, 2012
“One Man’s Mammy is another Man’s Mother” That quotation is from a review of the movie The Help by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Wesley Morris, who writes for the Boston Globe. Link: http://articles.boston.com/2011-08-10/ae/29872908_1_hilly-holbrook-maids-emma-stone I thought the phrase was so good and on point, that I hope Mr. Morris doesn’t mind me using it for this post. The Mammy, […]
Cold. Blooded. The worse case scenario in the Trayvon Martin murder
March 29, 2012
Cold. Blooded. That’s a term used frequently in the 70s to describe someone who could take the life of another, and exhibit no sign that it meant anything. The first thing I looked for while viewing this video tape is signs of a struggle that could have ended with either Zimmerman’s or Martin’s life. I don’t […]
I AM TRAYVON MARTIN . . . Examining the history of negatively profiling black males
March 24, 2012
Trayvon Martin. Emmet Till. Though their stories are not the same, they have a few things in common. Both were young, African American males who never reached adulthood. There are other similarities, such as both were unarmed. And both were victims of someone else’s decision to be their judge, jury and executioner. But they are not alone. America […]
And the winner is . . . Nobody
February 25, 2012
We all lose with The Help. Still, I’ll be seriously surprised if the producers aren’t holding up an Oscar for best picture, especially with the LA Times article on just who make up the majority of Academy voters. It shouldn’t be surprising, since older white males control the entertainment industry. So why would anyone think the […]
Why Black people complain, and should keep on complaining about The Help
February 7, 2012
If I get a question or a point of view that may indicate why there’s a difference of opinion on The Help, I like to do research on it. So when I got this response: Okay. Ummm where do I start. How about instead of the “unofficial” employment rate for African Americans at […]
SAG awards The Help, continuing Hollywood’s love of black women as Mammies
January 30, 2012
In a move that should come as no surprise, SAG patted itself on the back (SAG stands for Screen Actor’s Guild) and awarded The Help, Kathryn Stockett’s ode to how wonderful life was when black women were domestics AKA surrogate mothers AKA Mammies. The Help earns top honor At SAG Awards Both Mammie stereotypes […]
Segregation – What you need to understand
January 17, 2012
The level of bigotry an African American experienced had many factors. Depending on which region of the country one lived, it could be brutally swift and overt. It could be chilling and subtle. Or it could be both. But this: Is movie fiction. And its important that people know, […]
So, about The Help and this “Agreement” among friends
January 16, 2012
Call me intrigued. I can’t help but wonder about this “agreement” between early supporters/friends of The Help. Here, in Kathryn Stockett’s own words are mentions of the agreement that of late has paid off for the participants: “One of my best friend’s growing up, Tate Taylor, wrote the screenplay, he and I had an agreement pretty early […]
The Lesser of Two Mammies wins at The Golden Globes
January 16, 2012
The round one winner in the battle of the on screen Mammies is Octavia Spencer, for her portrayal of Minny Jackson, the fried chicken loving, poop pie baking maid in The Help “The Golden Globe for best supporting actress in a film went to Octavia Spencer who played a maid in the Civil Rights era […]
Fixing THE HELP: Too Little, and Much Too Damn Late
January 14, 2012
The DVD of the The Help reportedly has a segment called In Their Own Words: A Tribute to the Maids of Mississippi. But much like Stockett relegated Mrs. Demetrie McLorn to the back of her novel, the clean up on the fiasco both behind the book and the film comes Too Little, and Much […]
When African Americans contribute to our own stereotype
January 13, 2012
We’ve all done it at some point in life. Whether by accident or deliberate, conforming to a stereotype can happen to any of us. When an African American does it, the effects can have lasting repercussions. Especially in a public forum. Just look at Herman Cain, and his absurd 9-9-9 plan. I cringed whenever he’d get a […]
How The Help was polished, packaged and pimped
January 7, 2012
And the award for Best Misuse of a Minority goes to . . . The Help. When the award shows for this season are broadcast and the winners revealed, and The Help takes a prize for whatever, remember this post. Because the controversy over what’s on the pages and the depictions on screen are only half the story. **Update** […]
Viola Davis as Nina Simone (hey, I can dream can’t I?)
January 2, 2012
Hold your War Horse (very bad pun on my part). I didn’t say this was a done deal or that there was a deal in the making. But after checking out what Viola Davis and her new production company have decided to work on, uh. . . sure, I can get into more history. I love […]
If we’re not the watchdogs of our own culture, then who will be?
December 29, 2011
Whenever I’m challenged on why I started a blog or continue to take a stand of dissention over Kathryn Stockett’s novel, if I’m so inclined I offer a detailed, history filled response. Or sometimes I tell the person to go f**k themselves. The latter doesn’t usually happen. But on occasion, when I get the OMG! […]
Hollywood Swinging: Guessing which way tinseltown will vote this awards season
December 26, 2011
Awards are the validation of all that hard work those behind a movie and on the screen have put in. And it should be a joyful time for all involved. Only this year will be different. This year a nominee comes into the proceedings carrying not just baggage but the ire of many in the racial group […]
U just might be a Mammy if . . .
December 21, 2011
“For all it’s good intentions, and after all is said and done, The Help is being held up as a movie that addresses a shameful time period in American history, while ironically promoting the very stereotypes and misconceptions of the black culture that many African Americans still challenge to this day” That’s my quote. One […]
Ten “Terrible Awful” movie tropes The Help promotes
December 18, 2011
When minorities complain about how we’re depicted in films, most times we’re told we don’t understand the “intent” In no particular order, here are a few over used movie tropes that The Help resurrects: The “ugly duckling” character is anything but Putting big glasses and tightly curling her hair does not make Emma Stone’s Skeeter anywhere near the description […]
BE THE MAMMY: The real message to any “poor black kid”
December 15, 2011
There’s a web post getting lots of buzz on the internet. It’s called “If I were a poor black kid” by Gene Marks of Forbes Magazine. Yeah, it’s the kind of article that just speaks to you, especially if you happen to be one of those “poor black kids” who need to get told yet again, […]
Trivial pursuits of The Help
November 23, 2011
Now that the film is soon to be released on DVD (I think I read early December), I thought I’d list some of the contradictory quotes from a few of the principals associated with the book and the movie. Yes, while they may appear to be trivial to some, to others the information could “help” give a clearer picture […]
All Souled Out: No offense Viola and Octavia, but I’ll still pass on “The Help”
November 13, 2011
I love Modern Family. Tonight Phil just said “I can’t help it, I’m turned on by powerful women. Oprah, Condoleezza Rice, Michelle Obama, Serena Williams . . . wait a minute-” The punch line is Phil is happily married to Claire, and all the women he mentioned are black. I guess I enjoy this kind of humor […]
THANK YOU
November 10, 2011
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 […]
What Herman Cain has in common with “The Help”
November 8, 2011
Hold that thought, because I have to say this first: RIP Joe Frazier. Soft spoken and socially awkward, there was something endearing about you Joe. Plus you had class. No, there was no out mouthing Ali and wisely you didn’t, simply letting your fists do the talking in the ring. On a sadder note, the intra-racism […]
Who make up today’s “Help” in America?
October 23, 2011
With the success and controversy over The Help, more attention has been given to those now employed as domestics. For just as African Americans once were overwhelmingly the group carrying bags, doormen hailing cabs, watching children, cooking and cleaning, primary caretakers of the elderly, as well as a variety of maintenance positions, men and women of color from all over […]
Refuting Tate Taylor or “Damn! My comment on The Help was removed”
October 22, 2011
Apparently my comment violated the community standards on the Guardian UK’s website, so it’s been deleted. Ah well, guess I didn’t read the terms of service closely enough. Sorry about that. However, one of the perks of having my own blog is that I can post what I said in its entirety. But before I do that, I […]
Dear UK and Ireland: Ten + things from the novel The Help movie tried to fix
October 20, 2011
The Help is opening in the UK and Ireland next week on October 26th, so I thought I’d make a special appeal to overseas moviegoers (and readers of the novel) to keep in mind a number of things: 1. […]
Director of The Help claims all criticism is because “I’m not an African American director”
October 20, 2011
“. . . All of the criticism we’ve been facing is based on the fact that I’m not an African-American director and that Kathryn is not an African-American writer” – quote from Tate Taylor, director and screenwriter of The Help Quote is from an article by Xan Brooks of the Guardian UK titled Is The Help […]
Please join the “Do Right by Abilene Cooper” Movement
October 14, 2011
There’s an old saying in the black community about making things right, if you truly want to make amends. It’s even referenced in Alice Walker’s The Color Purple, where Celie tells Mister “Until you do right by me, everything you even think about gonna fail!” Here’s the dialogue […]
“Dear White Feminists” – Yep, the same weak excuses were used for The Help
October 13, 2011
I’ve got to thank Alina on Amazon.com for posting a link to the blog Dear White Feminists. It’s important to keep in mind that the blog talks about a controversy that occurred in 2008. But damn if it doesn’t provide insight into the same excuses made over the issues in and with The Help. Here’s the utterly brilliant […]
“The Help can kiss my ass and go to hell”
September 23, 2011
Wooohooo! I so wish I’d written that first. The exact quote is “I love Viola Davis but The Help can kiss my ass and go to hell” The author isn’t identified in the review I read of the movie, but damn if that sentiment isn’t on point. The review I found it in is a must read, as […]
Dear Academy, for your consideration. . . why you shouldn’t award The Help
September 22, 2011
Since everyone is already predicting Oscars for The Help, I thought I’d have some fun listing the top reasons why the film should only win one Academy Award, and that’s for Viola Davis’ performance. **Update** If you’re linking here from another site, please know that I read the book. And I know full well about segregation. So if you’re going […]
Overseas reviews and numbers for The Help
September 19, 2011
The Help opened in Australia in early September. And just like in the U.S. the reviews were mixed: Crushing women By Liz Jones for the Sunday Times WOMEN can certainly be bullies – even if their floors are spotless – writes columnist Liz Jones. “I went to an advance screening last week of The Help, […]
Abilene Cooper Finally Speaks! What she has to say about the novel
September 7, 2011
There’s an article on a UK site called The Daily Mail where Abilene Cooper talks about her pain over seeing her image used in Kathryn Stockett’s best selling novel. Here’s an excerpt: ” . . .When Abilene Cooper picked up her copy, however, her reaction was rather different. Instead of sympathy for the characters of […]
D is for Domestic and the grade Hollywood deserves
August 30, 2011
Think African Americans don’t have reason to complain about the roles Hollywood always seems to assign? Well think again. See the woman in the photo? That’s Jazz Legend Billie Holiday, playing a maid. See the Jet magazine cover from 1952 and the title? Guess what Teresa Harris played throughout her career. A maid/domestic. […]
“I just made this sh*t up!” Kathryn Stockett’s incredibly demeaning response
August 28, 2011
I’d read where this quote had been used before by the author, some months prior, in May of 2011. “Here’s what we learned from Kathryn Stockett… on writing: One of the first things Kathryn said from the lectern, as she began her talk, was that she wanted to address the writers in the room. And […]
What do black people think of The Help?
August 28, 2011
I kept seeing this question come up when I’d check the search engine terms on my site, so I thought it was time that I made a post addressing it. “What do black people think of The Help?” African Americans are just as varied in their opinions of The Help as they were when a similar book with race […]
The curious case of the Two Aibileen’s
August 25, 2011
**update, an appeal has been filed as of August 20th** More info here I’m not trying to be funny. But after watching the video of the Cooper vs. Stockett court proceedings, what I wanted to know was why Kathryn Stockett would send a note and a copy of her book to a woman who the […]
Good Grief! The Black Female as Everybody’s Super Duper Strong Mama
August 23, 2011
What if The Help had simply been about a woman working through the grief of losing her only child? A woman imprisoned by the constraints of segregation, expected to not only run another’s household, but to keep her emotions in check while all those around the maid depended on her for “Strength.” I wonder how different, and […]
International Black Velvet – How The Help is seen beyond the U.S.
August 23, 2011
The UK at least used a cover that reflected what was inside. And their trailer for the film shows a lot more gravity than the one used in the US. You can compare trailers listed on this post. Seems over here (in the US) it’s all about bringing the “fun” or “funny” to […]
The Help’s Blueprint for Black Characters
August 20, 2011
It was years in the making, centuries of a belief that one culture was subservient and unequal to another. As a result of this mindset, there were other novels before Kathryn Stockett’s best seller that virtually said the same thing. That some black men were “no-accounts” and absentee fathers and “no good” even though they […]
Aibileen Unmasked after lawsuit against Stockett tossed
August 18, 2011
**Update** An appeal was filed on August 20th. So stay tuned. More info here Miss. judge tosses suit against ‘The Help’ author “Circuit Judge Tommie Green ruled Tuesday that a one-year statute of limitations had run out between the time Stockett gave Cooper a copy of the book and the time the lawsuit was […]
The Top Ten reasons The Help movie needed someone to yell out “CUT!”
August 18, 2011
WELCOME! If you’re been linked here via an article from The Root*, I hope you’ll read additional posts on my site (which has been up since June, 2010) You see, I recognized Kathryn Stockett put segregationist ideology into the mouths of her black characters as amusing anecdotes. Lines like “Don’t drink coffee or you’ll turn colored” (Aibileen […]
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 
August 11, 2012
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