Tyler Perry to Spike Lee – “Who You Callin’ a Coon?”
Once upon a time (i.e. this past spring), Spike Lee put Tyler Perry on blast:
“Each artist should be allowed to pursue their artistic endeavors but I still think there is a lot of stuff out today that is “coonery” and buffoonery. I know it’s making a lot of money and breaking records, but we can do better. … I am a huge basketball fan, and when I watch the games on TNT, I see these two ads for these two shows (Tyler Perry’s “Meet the Browns” and “House of Payne”) and I am scratching my head. … We got a Black president and we going back to Mantan Moreland and Sleep ‘n’ Eat?”
The Bamboozler goes on to say:
“We’ve had this discussion back and forth. When John Singleton [made "Boyz in the Hood"], people came out to see it. But when he did “Rosewood,” nobody showed up. So a lot of this is on us! You vote with your pocketbook, your wallet. You vote with your time sitting in front of the idiot box, and [Tyler Perry] has a huge audience. We shouldn’t think that Tyler Perry is going to make the same film that I am going to make, or that John Singleton or my cousin Malcolm Lee [would make]. As African Americans, we’re not one monolithic group so there is room for all of that. But at the same time, for me, the imaging is troubling and it harkens back to “Amos n’ Andy.””
Last night, TP responded to Lee on “60 Minutes” by saying:
Sadly, this is just one more internal debate amongst African Americans being hashed out on a national platform and it’s almost impossible not to take sides given our history in this country. Alas, what’s done is done, and the battle wages on.
Spike’s commitment to uplifting the Black community throughout his accomplished career is unquestionable. Upon reflecting on his catalogue of work, it’s also pretty evident that he’s a proponent for progress in general as he strives to present stories that deal with a myriad of themes from coming-of-age (Crooklyn) and homosexuality (She Hate Me). Within each film, he manages to capture the intricacies of every day life, but always with the African American audience in mind.
Nevertheless, it’s clear that Tyler aims to uplift our community as well, covering subject matters that affect many Black Americans with humor and hope. We’ve all witnessed the evolution of his Spike Lee’s film career over the past 2 decades. Perhaps in another 15 years or so, Perry’s body of work will show that he is, in fact, not in the business of ‘holding us back.’ Some of his recent films have been absent of the alleged “coonery” of which Lee speaks. “Why Did I Get Married” is a prime example free of minstrel-like imagery.
Many are inclined to focus on the debate between these two dynamic gentlemen, but a large portion of the contention belongs to the big film studios. If they didn’t back and distribute Perry’s films (or any films accused of perpetuating stereotypes) this debate would not exist.
Sure, many cringe when they see Madea pull a gat out from under them large droopy tits or the eye popping of that Mantanish fat fellow from “Meet the Blacks Browns,” but many of us find that stuff pretty hilarious too. Is it possible that both Perry and Lee only differ in the manner in which they present similar ideals or is this a case of “progress vs. regress”? To echo Lee’s initial statement, every artist should be allowed to pursue their artistic endeavors. But like the saying goes, “with great power, comes great responsibility.”
Clutchettes and gents, what say you? — Buffonery, or not buffonery: that is the question.
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I wonder the same thing. I've seen several ads from them with men children women Asians , waiting to see a black face , I finally see one...
@anonygirl-yes! you described my thoughts completely.
@glennisha- it’s not about some black people thinking they are better then others, it’s about black people not tolerating other blacks who exploit stereotypes like madea (mammy) and sanaa lathan’s character in the family that preys (jezebel) for his own personal glory and bank account. he’s trying to tell him that if you’re going to direct movies do something that doesn’t reinforce negative stereotypes and bring more complex character studies of black people to the table. stop relying on the same old bullshit to make you money.
I disagree with those who think Spike Lee is jealous, he told everyone how he feels.
I have some strange comments like Spike Lee has not made opportunities for anyone in Hollywood, I do not know if people know what it was like in the 1980s virtually there were no black films except the cops ones like Beverly Hills and Danny Glover but they were not black produced.
If we look at the influence of Holy wood on the Black comunity we have to examine the mistakes which we made in the 1970s with the blaxploitation error.
That is when the whole black underbelly really took root.
If someone can criticise gangster rap then they have every right to criticise exploitation films.
The problem is that people these days believe that everything black produced is beyond critism. Bill Cosby despite what he did for black television was told he was the upper class and he should shut up.
I can never understand why we think his work is coonery( i know people just like his characters..are they coons? um..no)..and i am usually pretty good at spotting out coonery, but i NEVER knew so many people were irritated by his work. I think that tyler perry is an artist, a writer and a storyteller who tells a certain type of story..that comes from his heart, and his passion in a certain way..SO BE IT. I think spike lee is an INCREDIBLE producer/director, and artist who tells a certain type of story..that comes from his heart, and his passions in a certain type of way…SO BE IT, why on earth do we all have to tell the same stories in the same ways..i say let tyler perry be..lets talk more about helping the indie filmmakers who want to suggest positive roles in their films that some of you are looking for..debating who is right or wrong on this issue is pointless..art is art..some people find a blank canvas art while others find it ridiculous..Why do our have to always be compared to each other in this way..geez…So BE IT!!!
Let’s call it a draw and give both men a Coon Award. Neither of them do Black women any favors…
The coonery is that this is out in the public. Why can’t this just be private. I mean neither of them are doing anything to spectacular for the black community anyway
Why is Spike Lee so jealous of this man? Spike helped to open the door for Tyler Perry. Spike should be proud of Tyler like a son and glad that Tyler has become so successful and is making so much money. Every Tyler Perry movie I go to see, the theater is packed. Spike stop hating like crabs in a barrel.
Spike lee needs a life a project or just plain ole attention like really? Im not sure about the whole interview but who asked his opinion on Tyler perry?What is he the only one allowed to make movies that uplift black people? The only buffoonery I see is him running off at the mouth about another man black or white doing his thing making money and trying to shed some positivity where he can. lets not forget this man (perry) was homeless not just poor, living on the street assed out homeless and hes come miles from that applause should be giving not hate, and lets be honest without meet the browns or the other show what black shows are in constant rotation that are positive. and lastly let us stop putting the pressure on every other famous black person to set examples for the black community if white folks look at fictional characters to tell them that’s who we are then let that be their ignorance because there’s a whole lot of white trash that they should be ashamed of on tv and in real life.
I cannot believe how some people are demonizing Spike in defense of Perry. Are people aware of all the films and documentaries he’s made? His counter-culture messages? Spike Lee is a man on a mission – Tyler Perry is on a different level. He DOES have some offensive characters in his movies and tv shows. Don’t people see that? Spike Lee is not a god but he doesn’t deserved to be shat on like he’s some small time sucka or something.
Spike Lee has made an effort to hire black crew members, teamsters, and bring stories that might not have gotten told to the screen. I think spike has proven himself as a filmaker, just look at the shots in 25th hour. I also don’t think he is jealous of the money perry is making because he knows that his films are not as commerical. If people do not think that perry’s characters are coon at least aknowledge that they are one dimentional. For example he creates theses almost mustache twirling villians. The heroes are always perfect saints. In real life things are not this black and white there is a grey area that perry refuses to aknowledge. Not only are these characters one dimensional but then he uses them again and again in all his movies.
there is no mutually exclusive way to be Black and our imagery in art should reflect that! It is more than excusable for us to have several perspectives it is necessary. Spike Lee’s comments were dismissive and aggressive but evocative of the feelings of a large sector of the African American Community and Tyler Perry’s response was underwhelming and defensive. I encourage the debate. However, I believe that thus far it has been unintelligible and needs to be far more reflective of our intellect as a people. Come on Spike spouting words like Coonery and buffonery are like saying “yo Mama” articulate why or what portions of the characters evoke that feeling for you…substantiate your argument…Amos n Andy were successful Black actors when there were few- to disregard them and their contribution is disrespectful. Contextualize your argument in the strides we have made to date. And Tyler grow up and articulate yourself in words other than bruised ego and hurt feelings! Yes, your work is targeted toward an audience that may appreciate the implausibility of some of it and the caricatures that it brings forth but why have you chosen to go this specific route in contrast to a more life like/ round portrayal of the community. There is merit in presenting both sides…lets be real it would be irresponsible to sell the world on the fantasy that there are no one dimensional Black people in the world. I have met a host of one dimensional people from assorted races. My only concern is that the debate is aptly and correctly framed to address the issues at hand!
Why should these two MEN do black women any favors? Whether or not I like TP (thumps down) or Spike (thumbs up) they are both artists, which mean their films are a representation of their home life, education, religious views, past relationships, and everything else that makes up the fiber of the soul.
We are drawn to art that mirrors our own views about life. Artists are not responsible for reflecting the image you want them to display. As an artist, your only responsibility is to be true to YOURSELF! So if Tyler Perry wants to make ten more movies with a gun-slinging Media then so be it; it’s his damn show. If you still have a problem with the way black women are portrayed seek out artists/producers/writers who reflect your beliefs. Don’t wait for the positive black woman on the television screen; live it in your own skin.
you know… it really pisses me off that we can’t allow each other to live and breathe without criticizing how deep the other person inhales. why shouldn’t people like madea have airtime? i’ll be honest with you, i know plenty of real world people that act just like that. does that mean they are a disgrace to the black race? hell no! why the hell are black people so afraid of what white america thinks of us? they have no problem being goofy or making movies with one dimensional characters (um hello… soap operas!) the minute a black man does it he has to be on some coonery and buffoonery? this is exacly why black folks will never get ahead. we have too much of a problem accepting every aspect of who we are. i also do not like tyler perry movies… but i don’t like soap operas either.
and don’t even get me started on those movies on lifetime. they are extremely one dimensional.
I’m not a Tyler Perry fan and I do find a lot of his stuff coonish especially Meet the Browns and he shouls aspire higher. That said Spike is I think a bit jealous and a self-righteous jerk. Mr Racecard himself. A lot of movies are crappy, having a good idea and making a good movie are not the same thing. I saw Girl Six, that was crap. Jim Carey and Jerry Lewis got rich playing fools, so Tyler is not different. Don’t like it, don’t watch. Actually they should work together and hire someone to write it because neither of them can.
I agree with Melissa, Spike’s name-calling is juvenile.
I happen to like Tyler Perry movies. I liked some of Spike Lee’s movies, but he really needs to check himself. IMO, if we women want movies with “positive black women” why are we waiting for MEN to make these movies? I haven’t seen hardly any movies with positive female roles…..
I don’t love Spike’s depictions of women. Out of the two…I prefer Tyler’s movies…but neither of them have ever captured my experience.
Wow, it’s so amazing that so many women here are defending Tyler Perry, a man who mocks Black women and portrays us in the worst possible stereotypes.
I’ve sat in 2 Tyler Perry movies and frankly, while I’m glad he’s made a lot of money, I won’t be wasting any more of mine to see them. I like a movie that is a more cerebral and doesn’t throw every stereotype about blacks that ever existed at me. While I may not like every Spike Lee movie out there, what a difference a background in film making makes.