Yep, you're right.
But the sad part, Halle Berry didn't have a gun to her head to take the part, no more than any other black, beautiful actresses. I look back on many of the roles many african american actresses settled for, because they didn't want to wait, (get a real job), and accept decent roles.
I remember when i used to rush home to watch Good Times when i was kid. I look at that comedy series, now, and cringe with embarrassment. John Amos finally woke up, in the middle of the series, and finally started complaining to Norman Lear, who basically fired him over the phone.. Esther Rolle decided to leave later.. By that time, the die was cast. They had already played a stereotypical role, like many others.
I remember standing proud as i saw more african american characters being cast in films? But when i became older, i had to stop and think about it.. every last one of these actors, played stereotypical roles (especially slave roles) - even the "Acadmeny Award" status types.
Whoopie Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, Monique, Gabby Sidibe, Octavia Spencer, Morgan Freeman, Viola Davis, Lupita Nyongo, etc.
The others i saw on TV, to the silver screen? Yep, Side chicks, pimps, prostitutes, druggies, drug dealers, single mom in the ghettos., wife beaters, physical abuse victims, faceless background actors, or promiscuous males/females, etc.
The first time, i ever saw an 80's or 90's movie with a young african american female that smart, beautiful, and nerdy was on "Nightmare on Elm Street 4".. Even most of the caucasion males i went to college with were impressed.
Over time, things have changed in cinema? But Hollywood still has a long way to go. And maybe african american actors should stop and really think about "cultural impact" when they pick a role, versus "exposure", then complaining about the paycheck afterwards, like Viola Davis..
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