Nick Cannon is joining the chorus of a growing number of moviegoers protesting films like “Django Unchained” and “12 Years a Slave.” The dissenting crowd differs in their views, with some believing slavery films create white guilt and allows Black people to continue playing the victim card, while others feel uncomfortable with the constant reminder of slavery that allegedly serves no purpose.
A young Black writer, Orville Lloyd Douglas of U.K.’s The Guardian, who is receiving a fresh dose of criticism for an opinion piece called “Why I Hate Being a Black Man,“ shared his thoughts on the Steve McQueen film, “12 years a Slave.”
“Frankly, why can’t Black people get over slavery?” he wrote,” Or, at least, why doesn’t anyone want to see more contemporary portrayals of Black lives?”
Cannon doesn’t share those exact sentiments, rather the young media mogul challenges movie studios to go further back into the rich history of Black people. He shared his thoughts on Twitter:
“If I see another damn slave movie…AARRRGGHHHH!!!!! I think they keep making them because they want to keep Black folks on edge! They don’t want us to get to comfortable! Yeah we know about Obama…But don’t forget about Toby!”
Cannon later shared a photo of his grandmother and added:
“They called this lady a slave, I call her my grandmother’s grandmother. Why don’t they make movies about our African kings & queens? #OurHistory I would lNove to see a film about Akhenaton and his beautiful wife Queen Nefertiti! Or Cetewayo, a King who was a war hero. Im about to drive to my office RIGHT NOW and start the development! New Hollywood Trend, Black King and Queen films! Starring Black People!! #NoDisrespectToElizabethTaylor.”
That is a trend we can get used to.
Do you agree with Cannon, Douglas or neither?
I DEFINITLY AGREE THAT FILMS SHOULD BE MADE ABOUT OUR HISTORY BEFORE SLAVERY SO THAT EVERYONE CAN SEE THAT OUR STORY DID NOT BEGIN WITH SLAVERY. I THINK THAT THOSE KINDS OF FILMS WOULD HAVE A GREATER MIPACT . THE TRUTH SHOULD FINALLY BE TOLD ON SCREEN AS IT IS IN TRUE HISTORY BOOKS. BUT GOOD LUCK WITH THAT.
Thank you about dang time thanks nick
about got damn time…what at about Timbuktu, Kush, Nubia and all the other great empires of Africa..
Yeah, lets talk about the moors and the dark ages! Lets talk about europeans!
They won't get funded thats the problem nick needs come out pocket then. Nick Cannon put the Money up
Wanna tslk about slavery, talk about Nat Turner and Tussint Luvatuer
Danny Glover has been trying to get funding to make a movie about the Haitian revolution he can't get funding
Check out the The Earth Center. This is a good starting point for that.
I agree but what history books?
and use black/blue Africans ,that damn gieco commercial eats me up
I agree with Nick
I'm with Nick all the way
I agree wit cannon we have a great rich history to write about…but if u show slavery n it's proper context…showing Nat turner uprising the 2 other major uprising.. Harriet tub man story… that's the type of slavery movie that's lacking. Showing we did have fight n us…and if we are gonna talk about Africa's rich history of kings remember they where many great kings other than the kings of Egypt. But the bigger picture is to get this type of movies… we need to ccontrol media… Hollywood has to ok it..The network has to pick it up… When we control distribution of and movies houses then we can make them movies biblical or otherwise… With accurate portrayals of our black history..n movie. Russell crowed is playing moses… but if cannon made moses portraying him a man of color…wat movie house picking it up…who gonna distribute it?
Michael Ray Kelly – 1. Nile Valley Contributions to Civilization by Anthony T. Browder 2. When We Ruled by Robin Walker 3. When the World was Black by Supreme Understanding. These books are a good place to start. If you want to go deeper, check out the bibliographies in these books. I would also suggest following the historian Runoko Rashidi on facebook.
Thanks Anthony.
Ok Nick we hear you talking but we need to see results. Black folks in Hollywood seem scared to make films about who we really are….the first people on this planet. I mean what happen to Will Smith's film about the King Karakhamun of 25th dynasty of Kemet? Right now a movie is in production with a all white cast on the first kings and queens of Egypt! This is 2013 and that shit must stop! We can no longer allow our culture to be stolen; this is part of our genocide. So again black folks in Hollywood need to stop being scared of those Jews who run Hollywood and start using your economic muscle and tell Our story and stop selling out!
watched '12 years' and was not particularly impressed. the actor did not look a slave. found the beating of the girl extreme and nonsensical. love Django. a black man riding a horse? made me proud.
Do it Nick You got the money and contacts produce Taharqa. A film about one of the pharoahs of egypt who kicked the hyksos and assyrians ass .
Go Nick!
The only Kings Negroes have had we're King David, King Soloman, and, King James. We've been in slavery for centuries though. Negroes are the true Hebrew Israelites. Visit youtube channel AuChaYah to learn the truth of the Negroes true nationality.
I would love to see more films, even series, about the positive aspects of our history. And use actors and actresses unheard of. No disrespect to veterans, theres just alot of fresh talent out here that deserve a chance to play great roles
Films will be made and those very same black folks will catch them on cable or bootleg.
As a people we should find a way to explore and discuss all of our history. The slave movies and even the contemporary films and shows do not give our people reason to believe in who and what we are. We settle for the token black guy or slavery thinking we are proving equality but we should not be looking for equality. We should be looking for the truth. Finding the truth these days gets harder but I do see a brother mentioned in the comments some of the historical books that can also steer to more books. At the moment we are blinded by what we were taught and what we see on TV; not taught about who we actually are. The kings and queens of this Earth. The darker skin was not produced in slavery. So I guess I agree with Cannon. Our people lost sight of our identity because of slavery so producing movies and stories that make us recognize where we truly come from might help.
only kings? do you know many great kings and greater queens Alkebulan has had.. you must be living in a parallel universe brother. and we're Afrikans, not negroes. Alkebulan had undergone many civilizations before there were the Falasha{black jews}.religion is a recent thing in afrika if you consider how long our history goes back
BLACKS IN THE MILITARY
Donaldson, G. (1991) The History of African-Americans in the Military. Malabar, FL: Krieger Pub. Co.
Foner, J. (1974) Blacks and the Military in American History. New York: A New Perspective Pub. Co.
Greene, R. (1974) Black Defenders of America: 1775-1973. Chicago: Johnson Publishing.
Langley, H. (1967) Social Reforms in the United States Navy: 1798-1862. Urbana, IL: University of IL Press.
Lanning, M. (1997) African-American Soldier: From Crispus Attucks to Colin Powell. Secaucus, NJ: Carol Pub. Gr.
Moebs. T. (1994) Black Soldiers – Black Sailors – Black Ink. Chesapeake Bay, MD: Moebs Publishing Co.
Mullen, R. (1973) Blacks in America’s Wars. New York: Pathfinder.
Nalty, B. (1986) Strength for the Fight: A History of Black Americans in the Military. NY: Free Press.
Rogers, J. (1989) Africa’s Gift to America. St. Petersburg, FL: Helga Rogers Publishing.
Wilson, J. (1977) The Black Phalanx: A History of the Negro Soldier.. New York Arno Press.
Zinn, H. (1980) A People’s History of the United States. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.
WWII ATROCITIES
Allen, R. (1993) The Port Chicago Mutiny. New York: Amistad Press Inc.
Buchanan, A. (1972) Black Americans in World War II. Santa Barbara, CA.
Case, C. (1998) The Slaughter: An American Atrocity. Mississippi: FBC Inc.
Donaldson, G. (1991) The History of African-Americans in the Military. Malabar, FL: Krieger Pub. Co.
Foner, J. (1974) Blacks and the Military in American History. New York: A New Perspective Pub. Co.
Lanning, M. (1997) The African-American Soldier: From Crispus Attucks to Colin Powell. Secaucus, NJ: Carol Pub. Gr.
Moebs, T. (1994) Black Soldiers – Black Sailors – Black Ink….Chesapeake Bay, MD: Moebs Publishing Co.
Mullen, R. (1973) Blacks in America’s Wars. New York: Pathfinder.
Nalty, B (1986) Strength for the Fight: A History of Black Americans in the Military. New York: Free Press
Pearson, R. (1964) No Share of Glory. Pacific Palisades, CA.
Zinn, H. (1980) A People’s History of the United States, New York: HarperCollins Publishers.
BLACK NATIONALISM
Adams, R. (1969) Great Negroes: Past and Present. Chicago: Afro-Am Publishing Co. Inc.
Appiah, K. & Gates, H. (eds.) (1999) Africana. New York: Basis Civitas Books.
Asante, M. & Mattson, M. (1991) Historical and Cultural Atlas of African Americans NY: Macmillan Pub. Co.
Bennett, L. (1975) The Shaping of Black America. Chicago: Johnson Publishing Co.
Bennett. L. (1988) Before the Mayflower. New York: Penguin Books.
Delany, M. R. (ed.) (1996) The Condition, Elevation, Emigration.. Black Classic Press; Reprint edition
Franklin, J. & Meier, A. (ed.) (1982) Black Leaders of the 20th Century. Chicago: University of Illinois Press.
Franklin, J. (1988) From Slavery to Freedom: A History of Negro Americans, New York: Alfred A Knopf.
Griffith, C. (1975) The African Dream: Martin R. Delany and the Emergence of Pan-African Thought.
University Park: Pennsylvania State University.
Litwack, L. & Meier, A. (1988) Black Leaders of the Nineteenth Century. Chicago: Univ. of IL Press.
Low, A. & Clift, V. (eds.) (1983) Encyclopedia of Black America. New York: Neal Schuman Publishers.
Moses, W. (1988) The Golden Age of Black Nationalism, 1850-1925. New York: Oxford University Press.
Moses. W. (ed.) (1996) Classical Black Nationalism: From Am. Rev. to Mar. Garvey. NY: NY Univ. Press.
Sally, C. (1993) The Black 100, New York: Carol Publishing Group.
@Michael Ray Kelly this should help
America isn't continually retelling the story of slavery out of an act of altruism, these are merely just reminders to both reinforced notions of inferiority, a rewriting of history plus the fact that these movies make large sum of cash for the Hollywood machine.
America and the very construct of white supremacy was set up upon and has relied on mass disenfranchisement and feeding the idea that Africans are subhuman beings with no history worth talking of and that the presence of Obama at the head of a colonial empire is the peak of black civilization.
So why at this point in the game would the US promote the idea of black empires and national heroes who existed independently from a white paradigm?
It is imperative to the culture of the American politic that any positive reflections of Africa that might encourage a sense of historical entitlement or pride for ones own roots be completely marginalized.
Assimilation, self denial, misinformation, collective rejection and historical shame is the order of the day. It is these very acts that create and manifest the examples of self hatred and societal hatred towards people of African decent that plagues the 21st century.
A nation such as China has been able to build into the future and is looking to lead the next leg of civilization in my opinion because of a deep sense of cultural continuity enriched by a great knowledge of their historical contributions which date back over 4000 years.
It is their philosophical, industrial and artistic cultural histories of previous dynasties that the mass of Chinese people even at the most basic levels are made aware of and it is these very understandings that are drawn upon and interpreted to create modern day power.
Telling the broader truths and making an African populous aware of Africa's legacy with regard to science, mathematics, griot cultural traditions, the worlds only successful slave revolution in Haiti which transformed the entire modern world and Africa s former empires which expanded as far as parts of Europe etc…. is massively inconvenient for those who would try to obstruct that cognitive thinking among the mass of people in the African diaspora or would wish to justify the enslavement of African peoples based upon a racial hierarchical ideology.
I do not mean to sound like a pessimist only a realist who recognizes the history of a state like America, I mean don't they still celebrate thanks giving on Native soil??
For anyone interested here are a few must reads in the area of African history and world view:
1.The Black Jacobins by C.L.R James
2.The African Origin of Civilization by Cheik Anta Diop
3.The Destruction of Black Civilization ( Great issues of race from 4500 B.C. to 2000 A.D. ) by Chancellor Williams
4.They Came Before Columbus by Ivan Van Sertima
5. Two Thousand Seasons by Ayi Kwei Armah
6. Yurugu by Marimba Ani
7. Black Genesis by Brophey and Bauval
8. Staying power by Peter Fryer
I agree and wrote a post saying the same thing on my blog last week. While we focus mostly on healthy food for healing our community we also recognize the importance of healthy food for the mind. And so does Hollywood. Imagine how much we could accomplish as a people if we knew just what our potential is.
Your right about Hollywood not going help fund this type of film. Nick is going to have to evaluate just how bad, he wants a film like this made. If he puts in all his own money, then there's the risk of it flopping. The majority of Black folks aren't going to be in a rush to see a film where Blacks aren't slaves, subervient or clowing. I recommend, he put up half of his own money and also start a kickstarter page, just to determine how badly would like to see such a film. If we can't help fund it, then he shouldn't waste his money.
I believe we have a great and proud tradition. Im America we have many stories of brave Men and Women. I believe we need to tell all the stories.
People have mixed views of Django. I loved it. It also made me think of awesome old school movies.
Sgt Leftridge
Duel at Diablo
The Magnificent Seven
Buck and the Preacher
we have some movies but we need to have more that gives a wide range of OUR community. We have brave service members, civil right leaders, slave abolitionists, explorers diplomats, inventors, scientist, athletics, etc.
We have some of the greatest historians that can provide insight into our accomplishments. If we are not putting them on the Big screen or putting it on TV is because we are not working hard enough.
The YOUTH should never scoff at our history. We exisited before slavery, we endured through slavery and we are here now. We can't skip through our history because it affects your comfort zone, you need to know why we always have to work for our existenece.
I have been saying this for years! Salute NC!
WHEN ROCKS CRY OUT BY HORACE BUTLER
it's not going to happen..they're scared you might gain some knowledge…once you know thyself, there is no going back…time to stop hitting the snooze button, people….
Anthony ExpansionBooks Conley "Black Man of the Nile and his Family" is a great book to start with…one i started reading it many years ago, i couldn't put it down….
Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. I'm a bible Christian and I know according to the KJV Bible that Negroes are the true lost Hebrew Israelites. You and your supporters can be african all you want but if your ancestry came to this land by way of slave ship, regardless if you don't believe, you are a Hebrew Israelite.
so according to the BIBLE, everything you say must be absolutely true huh? well me and and my ancestors had history before slavery and any religion, modern or old. you should do some more research on the kjv bible.. and its not about belief, its about facts. am not living in some "waiting for jesus to come " fantasy
Indeed. Long over. Due!!!
Narama,inhotep,the true Jews,the. Original. People
Of
The
Earth
Take
It
Back
Before
The
So
Call
Bible….
Not only do WE use the bible, we use other books of history to prove or better yet corroborate what the scriptures are talking about. Look brah, if it's not about the scriptures, you're waiting your time with your trying to somehow convince me otherwise what I know to be true. You're the one lost gone confused thinking you have the answers but surely it's very evident you don't. I challenge you to at the least visit our youtube channel, listen to our evidence, then afterwards, give a accessment
this is An Oxymoron Place, we can forget but never neglect
Well it is certainly great to know that we finally consider ourselves African. I have been waiting for the day to read and hear the sentiment that we want to identify with African Nations. Maybe the Slavery Movies have served their purpose. Black people are connected to Africa now. hmm…I remember the day when black folks argued they were not. Kudos
Sebastian Felipe , exactly. Nick needs to donate to the cause.
Absolutely!!
Absolutely!!
When there are children in this country who don't even know black ppl were slaves, i think media like this serves a constructive purpose.
man this dude on this youtube video went in on him acting like he never said anyhting about the african historical movies. totally misrepresented that sh8t. he made it seem like he just hated talkin about slavery. mannn
Sebastian Felipe Oprah aint about that life. thats gone cut into her jew money
Black people will forget about slavery when the fucking Jews forget about the Holocaust when the Japanese forget about the Chemical bombing
I Totally agree…enough is enough and im glad somebody stepped up and realize what those film makers are trying to do amongst us African people!!
Well said.
Sebastian Felipe – That's because he's going to the wrong people for funding. He should approach guys like Aliko Dangote of Nigeria, the world's richest black person, worth $22 billion! He'll get his funding!
A film about Queen Nzinga would be great. She was the queen of Angola who fought off Portuguese attempts to colonize her country by waging a 40 year resistance war against them in the 17th century.
am not trying to convince you, its just a discussion we're having brother.. we just have two different opinions… lets not let religion separate us. hopefully someday you will see things from my views
I don't have or follow any religion. All religions fall under the Catholic Church and the catholic church headed by the Vatican, the beast spoken of and described by Daniel the prophet in the book of Daniel, created all these Christian religions. All religious heads make known their allegiance to him by going over there to kiss his ring. The entire world is decieved by all these false doctrine religions. We my brethren in truth and understanding follow and keep the gospel of the laws, statutes and commandments as best we can. They are not done away with like the world will have us believe. But, this is satans kingdom until the Most High God returns to restore order and make this world His Kingdom. And yes, Jesus is a black man and He's coming back to redeem His people and all nations whom will keep His Laws Statutes and commandments. Visit youtube channel AuChaYah to learn the truth
Ok #NICKCANNON, I do agree to a length!!!
1. The entire story should be told from our entire lineage, from the beginning of man till the date and done accurately!
2. I am all for the concept however we need a 3rd party comprised of people like Dr. #YosefBenJochannan, Master #AshraKwesi, Dr. #Tony Browder, Dr. #UmarJohnson, Dr. #ClaudAnderson, The General #SaraSutenSeti, Dr. #FrancisCress and so forth – So that we can assure that within the doing such a concept that it is not one of those WHITE SUPREMACIST THINK TANK initiative; whereas The WHITE SUPREMACIST THINK TANKS USE their #WHITESUPREMACIST Surrogate #HouseNiggers like #TomJoiner and #SteveHarvey or anyone from the #NAACP and many other "BLACK ELITIST" to even purpose the ideal of doing a such a movie! But through those channels it will have a black face but it want be FUBU it will be FUBWS "FOR US BY #WHITESUPREMACY!
YEAH THAT''S RIGHT i know their tricks and exactly whats in their hearts and for all that we know #NICKCannon could be one of those WSSN "#WHITESUPREMACIST SURROGATE NEGROS", Poised THIS IDEAL ONLY TO MISDIRECT THE ENERGY!!! #Niggers have been born and bread off of 400 of lies, ferry tales and total indoctrination and many simply lack the simple intelligence to see through the schemes plotted against them!
IT IS HIGH TIME WE DO IT, DO IN RED/RAW AND DO IT IN COMPLETE TRUTH WITH ABSOLUTELY NO MYTH INVOLVED BUT TO BE USED AS A TOOL TO UNDO "ALL" OF THE MYTHS,LIES AND CURSES THAT HAVE BEEN PUT ON OUR PEOPLE AND THE WORLD!
extinguishing ALL MODERN RELIGIONS, CULTURES AND THE POLITICAL SCIENCE THEREOF!
#UnLOCKyoURfOOL ®
http://www.staroneye.com
Papasang Coker thats what I was saying too, my comment is on the top!
Sebastian Felipe you would think he has enough of his own money to do it!
King Aubréy Deloney
oH GOODNESS, ONE OF THESE GUYS!!! aYBREY dELONEY, I PITY YOU, THERE IS FAR TO MUCH THAT YOU DO NOT HAVE THE SLIGHTEST BIT OF UNDERSTANDING ABOUT FOR YOU TO MAKE COMMENTS LIKE THAT! I MEAN A TRUE FOOL YOU ARE, AND I AM SAYING THIS OUT OF LOVE AND PITY!
<<<you are far to old to be talking like a that, moreover in this day where the real truth and information thereof is right in front you! For these movies to be done correctly, it will extinguish EVERY SINGLE THING that you believe, so until you #UnLOCKyoURfOOL ®, YOU ARE AN AGENT OF OUR OPPRESSION,CAUSE YOU WILL FIGHT TOOTH AND NAIL TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT A PROPOSED FILM LIKE THIS DOE SNOT TAKE SHAPE IN THE WAY THE I NEEDS TO BE TRUTH AND IN COMPLETE COMPLIANCE WITH THE GENEALOGY OF THIS PLANET!
BUT BE CAREFUL, TO NOT BE SO NAIVE!
I LEFT A COMMENT, JUST NOW, THAT EVERYONE NEEDS TO READ!
#UnLOCKyoURfOOL ®
http://www.staroneye.com
nAH BRO, THEY WILL FUND IT, SO THAT THEY CAN CONTROL ITS DIRECTION!
BUT BE CAREFUL, TO NOT BE SO NAIVE!
I LEFT A COMMENT, JUST NOW, THAT EVERYONE NEEDS TO READ!
#UnLOCKyoURfOOL ®
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVXpuGsUkyQ
Reason I love the movie Django, is because NIGGERS need to see it! Their are to many niggers running around here pretending that "WE HAVE COME SO FAR" JUST BECAUSE master has allowed us to have toys, condos, cars, rim and hair weaves! Yet with The character STEVO, alone each one of us knows at least 25 people in our personal lives and see hundreds more in our communities, everyday! Let alone any other clear examples that movie, NO nigger would even touch a concept like that and if they did it would just end up in a result of supporting the Koon Minset by following a formula similar to a tyler perry film
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVXpuGsUkyQ
AMEN Brother! Knowing thy self is like canned pussy! Priceless!
Dr.ClaudeAnderson -BlacksMust FormaCommunity or Perish
http://goo.gl/Y41aDr
Been to several films that weren't mainstream subjects and was very disappointed to see empty seats or seats mainly filled by non blacks. I'll believe it when I see it.
Oh, so now it's a victim card? Like black people are just MAKING UP stuff? I think not so take it easy on that note. But Im ready to see something else for sure!
Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. (1 Corinthians 3:18 KJV)
We'll see whose the fool in the end, fool!!!
Who's REVISING Shaka Zulu? How about HANNIBAL OF CARTHAGE AFRICA who conquered Rome with Elephants? What about the now 20year old Ugandan King named King OYO? He was made king at the age of 3. Theres sOOOOOOO many stories of us. Get it crackin!
Who's REVISING Shaka Zulu? How about HANNIBAL OF CARTHAGE AFRICA who conquered Rome with Elephants? What about the now 20year old Ugandan King named King OYO? He was made king at the age of 3. Theres sOOOOOOO many stories of us. Get it crackin!
Yes! Then we will see the lights turn on in the young minds of our Children. I've been saying this for years.
HANNIBAL BARCA
"The mis-education of the Negro" Carter G Woodson
Django WASN'T A SLAVE movie bro! It was about a man who BROKE free from slavery! aND IF U ARE SO CONCERNED, YOU DO IT. i'M DOING A FILM ABOUT A black Jesus. How about backing me, brother? All a bunch of talk, no damn action. I ain't got the pub or $$$ he has, but I'm still doin my thang. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuUCfUGfyrM
Vin Diesel has been trying to get a film about Hannibal made. I gotta say, I'd like to see that. I've always been fascinated with the story since my high school Latin class.
Papasang Coker damn, thanks for all the recommendations and I thought I was a heavy reader lol. I think you have me beat
King Aubréy Deloney You are an ignorant fool.
Maybe actors and writers need to strike in Hollyfool !
Nick should let the people fund it. I remember years back Will Smith was supposed to be shooting a film about an Egyptian King.