Classifed What?

The images and clips shown in Classifed X were disturbing to say the least. The biggest thoughts that may come to mind are . . . Does it really matter today how blacks were portrayed by Hollywood 60, 70 years ago? Why can't we just move on and not think about it? The movie producers and directors of that day are not the people of my current generation. Yeah, those people were mad ignorant. Why do we have to be subjected to see how blacks were belittled, undignified, and disrespected?

When watching this film, you might be frustrated at having to see how "these people" (i.e. the actors, directors, producers and audience) promoted such a bigoted and ignorant view of blacks. But when it comes down to it, you (possibly like me, as a white person) may be subjected to 50 minutes of these painful images but can you understand what effect decades upon decades of these painful--personal--images have done to the black population? I think there is something to be said about the awareness that we as a society need to have today. Something that particularly caught my attention is how Van Peebles was explaining the idea of the "new Negro" and then the "action black." He commented that when Hollywood began to give blacks some ounce of dignity, it was only as an athletic, military type or as an entertainer. I asked myself, have we really "progressed" as much as we claim? What are the top "black people movies"? They are action films and comedies. When does a serious drama come out with the main or majority actors black? Films that Denzel Washington has played in come to mind, but many times, there is a huge amount of action in the films. Blacks are still not portrayed with the same amount of intellectual or economic ability as whites in film. They are still portrayed and athletic people with rhythm, a sense of humor, and the ability to make the jokes "other people" are frowned on for making.

Classified X argues that change is only possible through directors having the resources and power to create their own films on their terms according to what the black population wants to see. The film ends with a note of hope that the time has finally come when those resources and opportunities are available. Slowly but surely, black actors and directors will begin the true representation of black people in America.