It’s pretty much the same story. I don’t know why so many of us are so taken aback by the issues in the movie. These kinds of things have happened and continue to happen. It’s a reality that our forparents did not want to deal with it and neither do we. We fear those who we know have had to endure such atrocities, but if some of us look far enough in the family tree, it’s some of it in our history also. As to why the tragic figure is almost always dark-skinned and not attractive, I don’t know. I know trouble does not discrimminate.

As you mentioned Halle Berry has been the poster child for the light-skinned ones. Phyllis Hyman’s story was pretty sad too. I was really shocked when I found out about her. I think she and Billie Holiday have very similar stories, based on some of the issues they had to deal with.

Our self-hatred is what makes us shy away from a movie like this. It’s sad that we still have the shame. I think we believe that a pretty face or what we perceive to be a pretty face makes it less ugly. But it’s still all ugly.

Dr. Weems, you give us a lot to think about in comparing “Precious” to “The Color Purple” and the tragic mulatto. I’ve heard about the movie on radio morning shows and saw 1 talk show interview. I too think that if I see the movie it will be when it comes out on DVD. I don’t think I can handle it in a movie theater. Thanks for getting me thinking more broadly about this movie.

Let me first admit my bias: I love all things Color Purple. Movie, book, muscical. Now having said that, I have not rushed out to see Precious. Long ago I quit seeing dark movies. I only watch items that I don’t have to carry with me long after the credits roll. Why watch a movie about such serious topics when we aren’t confronting serious topics? I prefer to work with those that are dealing with the tragic movie issues.

As for the tragic mulatto, I don’t know if that character exists anymore due to the intermingling of the races. While I am not biracial, i got the “are you mixed?” question all of the time. (I am very fair w/green eyes) But the question never once made we want to pass or renounce my blackness. And now watching my own daughters grow, I am suprised at how little skin color comes up. They are still young (10 and 7) but I thought this would be a serious issue by now. Blessedly, it hasn’t been an issue.

I think you should go and see the movie. It is not as brutal as it is promoted to be. Sometimes you need the cinema crowd to get through a movie. It is not something you should rent, just go and see it and get it over with. Then we’ll talk because I am sure you’ll have something more to say. Or maybe you won’t.

In my opinion, Precious is worth seeing. I see the comparisons to The Color Purple, but this is a different story that brings up different issues–personal and systemic. While there are definitely some intense, cringe worthy and incredibly sad moments, there are some bright spots, dialogue that will make you laugh and some incredibly empowering realizations. The movie is full of real characters and strong performances. I didn’t feel dragged into Precious’ drama, but I did remember all of the children like her in my life.

i saw the movie and thought it was good…well, at least as “good” as that type of movie can be. the acting on the part of sidibe and monique was pretty darn astounding in my book: sidibe because she’s a virtual unknown, auditioned for the part on a whim and monique because the portrayal of mary is so far from what we normally see. are there parallels to the color purple, yep — for all the things you mentioned. when i was describing the movie to a friend, i did say that the abuse scenes were a little more disturbing (graphic) to me. i tensed up quite a bit during certain parts and i listened to the people in the theater call on Jesus. i know some people were ticked at the ending…that it didn’t conclude in the fashion they had hoped. i disagreed with their sentiment…not wanting to give anything away, i will say i think the ending is meant to be personally reflective.

I enjoyed the movie and would recommend it to others. When my daughter asked me how did the movie end, I told her that it did not end. It is a slice of life that is a reality that many prefer to pretend does not exist ( especially in the church). As I watched, I just kept thinking about how many women in the theatre had experienced similar abuse and how many of our ministries do little to address the wounded among us and empower the abused women ( and men) who suffer in silence though not without signs.

Three observations haunt me:
First, I was taken aback at the audience’s reactions to the content. At times, I heard nervous or inappropriate laughter. I looked around in horror at the number of children under age 12 sitting in the theater and was appalled. I felt parents displayed a poor level of judgment to expose children to these topics in the form of cinema. I pray some of the girls weren’t scarred by what they saw. We have to take better care of ourselves and our children emotionally (I respect those who have avoided the inevitable emotional backlash of this film). To begin, let’s agree not to expose children to everything on film, television, music, etc. until they are developmentally ready to handle it. The effects are long lasting.
Next, the cinematography was thoughtfully executed. I have a few qualms about casting, but that doesn’t take away from the great camera work and tastefully selected soundtrack. The directing pales in comparison to The Color Purple, but the results were similar. There was great care taken to expose the harsh realities of some African-American women and to juxtapose them with their contemporaries. I didn’t see Oscar-worthy performances from Mo’Nique or Mariah Carey, but I would be interested to hear the debate over Gabourey Sidebe’s portrayal of the main character. Will it be her willingness to expose the scabbed underbelly of a hurting culture that propels her to Oscar success?
Finally, I appreciate all attempts to capture culture – at its best and worst. I am not excited by art that distorts the representation of any element in a culture. We have had enough drug and violence movies to document the existence of its sub-culture in African-American communities. Martin Lawrence, Eddie Murphy and Tyler Perry have taken the beloved matriarch in African American culture and produced caricatures, a far cry from the real impact of such figures in our culture. I am also beginning to think that we have enough tragic figures to serve as examples for at least a season. I would not deny any artist the choice to explore life through media, but oversaturation has to be considered as much a crime as improper characterization. We cannot let more than a representative share of stories become fodder for stereotypes. What a delicate line we walk. In other words, we have had one Celie/ Precious for this generation. No copycat films, please.

Walking on eggshells can break your spirit!
A.R. Perkins – please add Chris Rock to the Martin Lawrence, Eddie Murphy and Tyler Perry list of actor/ celebrities that have taken the beloved African American matriarch to clowning caricature levels. In “Good Hair” Chris Rock docucommentary to the audiences about Black Women and their nappy/good hair issues without ever mentioning skin color/tone. “Good Hair” delicately walks on egg shells without acknowledging the cultural backstory about race and skin color preferences and we bought it. Now Rev. Weems thanks again for pulling the covers….the tragic Mullatto and the “passing for white phenomenon” is still alive and ill…as a matter of fact the “passing” phenomenon has morphed into a tool of privileged convenience for everyone except darkies, who are genetically prohibited from creating the illusion of light bright maybe even white.
Here are a few cases in point
Really they can call it whatever you want to get movie goes into the theatre, but darkies whether skinny or fat are not viewed as “Precious”. How does “Precious” compare to Celie or the tragic Mullatto..that’s easy…it still aint easy being pinky and it still is hellacious being black. When age, obesity, stigmas, self hatred and other stuff is layered on top of the being dark skinned..You’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t.
Remember the old ditty
If you’re white you’re all right
If you’re yellow you’re kind of mellow
If you’re brown you can stick around
If you’re black you’d better get to the back
P.S. if you’re mixed ..You can be fixed
I don’t need to watch a “Reality” film or TV show to experience our reality. The lived experience is real enough for me.

Hummmmm, everyone here made excellent points. But please read the book BEFORE you see the movie; the book is always better than the movie, this book that came out in the mid-1990s. Then, go to the Internet and see the interview Katie Couric did with the author, Sapphire. Katie obviously doesn’t know how do deal with brilliant Black women intellectuals, poor chile.

I saw “Precious” twice with two groups of sister-friends each time, then we went out for food and drinks (me, Myer’s Rum and Coke) and great conversation. The conversation(s) was(were) very telling; yes the audience sometimes laughed/snickered “inappropriately” but perhaps not out of disrespect, but out of fear, familiarity and/or uncomfortableness with such brutality. But I must give it to brother Lee Daniels, how he told this story was genius, lighting, shadows, historical figures, etc., but I shook my head that all the “good people” in the film were light-skinned. ??

With the Color Purple book and movie, the part where Celie is 15 years old, gives birth and never sees the baby again? That exact same thing happened to my mother when she was 15 years old and growing up in the south, so I don’t understand why people are shook up here. I don’t like the fact that we seem to get awards for portraying horrible people, i.e., Monster’s Ball, Training Day, etc., but I do wonder when is the appropriate time to discuss the violence such as this that happens so often? When is the appropriate time for us survivors of lesser and worse kinds of violence to raise our voices? And who decides?

Frankly, I was opposed to seeing the movie ‘Precious’ because I work with women/women of color who have experienced HORRIFIC sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. I, too, am a survivor of verbal, psychological, and physical abuse. Why would I want to see that on the BIG SCREEN? I left the movie, exhausted and drained, feeling like I had just completed a one-on-one therapeutic session with my therapist. Those sessions always signified that GREAT but difficult work in my life was being accomplished. It was slow, but there is progress. I might not be all that God has called me to become, but I am definitely closer to it, now.

So why did I go to see the film after MUCH encouragement? Well, I was expected to make some “insightful and wise” comments the next morning at a church women’s breakfast. Since I take my role as educator, therapist, and minister, seriously, I buckled and went to see the film, Precious.

I am glad I did! When I go again to hold the hands of sister gurlfriends who want to go, but do not have the courage without safe and intimate company, you are all welcomed to join me.

The film is complex. The film is rich — many layers to analyze. What is clear is that it deals with issues of reading illiteracy, colorism, the stereotypical “bad” black mother and welfare queen, and the black church’s silence on important issues. To my dismay, many of the reviews that I am reading deal SOLELY with these issues.

We are still very uncomfortable with talking about sexual, physical, verbal, and emotional abuse. It DOES happen in our community. The reality of this film? The movie centers around a young woman, Precious, who if HORRIFICALLY abused: sexually, physically, and emotionally. How she navigates her world is initially a response to her victimhood. So, too, that is how the world responds to her.

The film is about “black mothering”: both its failures and triumphs. The movie ends with her reclaiming her Down’s Syndrome elder child (from her silent grandmother and abusive mother) and her “healthy” second child. She LOVES them and WILL love them IN FACE of the odds.

The film is about the black church. Our children, those exposed to the church, still find it a safe place to be exposed to the joys of life. (This might be a stretch, but that message is also inherent to the film).

Finally, the film is REDEMPTIVE. No, we would rather not have experienced the ending the way it is, but how about this? Precious is WALKING into a FUTURE filled with hope and possibility.

Psychologically speaking, the basis of GENERATIONAL CURSES is SECRECY. Her STORY is no longer a secret, which provides for REDEMPTION. Yep, didn’t want to go and see this movie and might not recommend it to my clients UNLESS they are in a supportive and safe environment. However, it is well worth a viewing!

I reserve the right to cut comments so they don’t go on and on, especially beyond the word count of the blogpost itself.

Proceed.

@ NRP, thank you for your excellent point about the many layers to analyze of such a well made film. That’s the thing people should remember, we as a people are multi-dimensional, dynamic, and not monolithic, etc. Again, I really hope people will read the book and then see the movie; I bought the book for a family at my church; the parents want to take their 12 year old daughter to see it as a family. I suggested they read the book first with their daughter and then see the film.

Perhaps “Precious” can be something to get us to pray, reflect AND take decisive action? Time will tell.

And on a lighter note, for the two times I saw the film, the audiences were mostly sisters; we took a vote and all agreed, Lenny Kravitz is still
F-I-I-I-I-I-N-E!

Distinguished thinking women of faith,

I am excited by the dialogue on this blog because I know it is only a microcosm of the global conversation about women’s issues. We pay homage to women by simply acknowledging their unique struggles.

RevMamaAfrika, I, too, read the book shortly after it was published. I found reading it to be a greater personal triumph than sitting through a two hour movie. I appreciated the book more because it allowed what so many women hear have expressed regret over. I was able to put the book down and think through the tough stuff before I had to move on the next topic. I think I fared better in the movie because I read the book and had digested all of the content ahead of time.

Like it, love it or despise it . . . I am just excited that literature has again been placed in the center of our society as an effective means of conveying a story. I have seen one author’s work soar, and I look forward to the next work in an emerging African-American canon of literature.

rev. renita, i am very sensitive to all that you mentioned (colorism, violence, etc.) nonetheless anticipated the film and rushed to support it when it was released. actually learned about it much earlier this year and was complaining, upset about the fact that it did not get more pub, not knowing that it hadn’t been released yet.

in large part this was because its one of the few instances of literary fiction created by a woman of color that has been brought to commercial big screen (the color purple being the only other one i can think of). to me the literary connection translates to potentioal for more nuance, fewer broad strokes being applied to characters’ situations. full disclosure: i admit to not being able to bring myself to read sapphire’s push, which by all accounts is a little too full of detail.

i think that films like precious bring a glimpse of the indy film aesthetic to a larger audience. also, a good turn out for commercial films of this sort (and ones like the great debaters, akeelah and the bee, seven pounds and others) ups the ante so that more films telling a range of stories about black people and others of color can be told.

all that is my longwinded way of saying: go see it in the theatre before it’s gone. or atleast think about it. and then maybe watch it again on DVD so that you can use your scholar’s brain and writer’s skill to critique it. if i can stomach it, you probably can. it is heartbreaking and grim in some of the expected ways (there were probably three scenes where tears were streaming down my face– one time from the beauty of the image of mother and child and the narration that accompanied). but the bottom line was that i did not see precious as being pathetic or totally defeated. something in her spirit (the god in her) was alive and glowing.

Rev. Renita,
I went to a prescreening of Percious with a sister girlfriend and my heart was heavy laiden. I was in tears the whole time. My thoughts in regards of comparison for both movies Color Purple and Percious was that abuse was more open. I never thought to see that a mother will sexually abuse her own child. And as well watch and see that her child will get abuse by her father and pretend like it was nothing. Slave Mentality was heavy on my mind.Then i went to see it again with some teenager and they were sadden but yet grateful to have parents that love the Lord.

After all of the disussion, I went to see the movie “Precious” earlier this week. Although quite sad overall, I was wondering what all of the hoopla was about. This is not a new story and it served as a reminder of what is still the reality of many women even though it was based on occurrences of 22 years ago. Why were people so shocked?? We have seen and heard this story over and over. Without the graphic content it could well have been a made for TV movie as opposed to being placed on the big screen for all the world to view the negative stereotypes of blacks that were so vividly portrayed. The lazy welfare Mom, the unhealthy eating patterns, the abusive sex-crazed parents, the less than hygienic surroundings, the failing school and social service system were all present. I did not see the church at all NRP. Perhaps I missed it…

I was glad to see the full figured women working in the movie and thought their acting was outstanding. I was just sorry that they had to be portraying such negative images of womanhood.

I would love to see where Precious is today so many years later. In the meantime, I pray that all of the Preciouses of today will be inspired by the indominitable spirit of this young woman who thought herself beautiful in spite of the stereotypes that prevailed. And that they will believe that they too can and will survive.

Peace, All,

I’m definitely waiting for the DVD or DirectTV viewing, and I might not see it then. I read Push when it came out in the 90s, and thought it was way too much for one person. I remember reading somewhere then, maybe the book cover, that the author was a social worker. As such, she’d no doubt encountered a lot of family dysfunctions — and I felt she put everyone of them on this one character. And that made me angry.

During the time that the book came out, the media was all hyped about the impact of the 1980s crack babies on the NYC public school system. According the hype, crack babies were growing up, flooding the school system and making teaching virtually impossible. The line went something like this: crack babies were wired differently, wouldn’t sit still long enough to be taught, couldn’t half-learn even if you could figure out how to tie them down, and most of the children in the system came from crack or other dysfunctional homes. Of course they couldn’t learn! How in the world could anyone hold teachers, schools or anybody other than their families responsible for their poor school performance?

So, when I read Push, I was like, “Oh, boy, here we go…”

Was crack a monster in black communities? Yes. But the vast majority of folk in the black community were never on crack, and the vast majority of kids in the school were not crack babies, nor dealing with sexual or other abuse at home — and definitely not all of these dysfunctions at the same time.

But when dysfunction is the stereotype and common “wisdom” about urban families,etc., policies get adopted that do great harm.

Did Saphire have the right what she wanted to write. Sure. And Lee Daniels had the right to pick it up and turn it into a movie. I’m just saying I’m keeping my $10 bucks.

God bless, M’onique; I heard she did it to death, and I wish her much success. But lest I encourage Hollywood to unleash a truck load of crazy-ass black family films, I’m staying home.

One more thing: this movie was discussed on a radio show in NYC a few weeks ago and the color issues were raised. I thought it was so ironic that the woman who was arguing that the movie was dealing with difficult issues that people would rather not face was angry that the other woman on the panel was even broaching the film’s colorlines.

Blessings!

I’m glad this post his here. I’ve not seen Precious yet, but I think I might do it this week. I’m interested in the response from the media. Are white-helmed media outlets afraid to offer anything but “Oscar worthy” for fear of offering some critical reflection? Rotten Tomatoes only had one negative review according to the ones I’ve seen. The review hit on the support from Oprah and Tyler Perry and the “con” of the film that exaggerates and allows white people to feel “superior.” It seemed like the reviewer hated the film and wanted to sound smart trashing it. As a white male, I keep asking is Precious really an exploitation of the experience of black women? Is is true to life? The comments here seem to suggest that it is at least somewhat true to life which makes me want to see it.

I’m insanely interested to know what Dr. Weems and the community here think of Disney’s new movie the Princess and the Frog! I guess this can go in the “please post about this Dr. Weems” box…wherever that is :o) Blessings!

-Derrick

@ EM, yes, the church is in the film; if you remember, Precious passes by a church where a choir is singing, perhaps choir rehearsal, singing a Christmas song; I think the song was one from Sounds of Blackness. Precious walks by the church as she seeks someplace to go, to be free, to be safe perhaps?

The book was fiction, but author Sapphire wrote the book based on her years of working as a teacher in New York City and some of the hardships she found some of her students faced in their families and in their community. So neither the book nor the movie is based on an actual person exactly like Precious. And against the backdrop of the horrorific tragedies of Shaniya Davis in North Carolina, the four teen boys sentenced to life in prison for the beating, robbery and gang rape at gunpoint of the mother and son in West Palm Beach Florida and the 11 bodies/remains of women found in a house in Cleveland, Ohio (some were reported missing), etc., perhaps this work of fiction can be a reminder of what goes on in many of our cities?

Rev. Renita I concur with much of your impression of the movie. I have not rushed out to see it either. The firt time I saw Color Purple at the theater I was uncomfortably taken back by the harsh, abusive content of the movie. Then I went to see it again and gained more insight.

I am still considering whether to go see Precious. It really is not a “Lurecie movie.” However I have have watched Gabbe Sidbe on several talk shows and wished she was my daughter.
Her considerable talent and positive outlook on life as well as the courage, strength, and maturity she displays about how she deals with “what she looks like” is most inspiring. She told Oprah that she just got tired of feeling bad about it all and feeling bad about what other people thought about her to the point where she had a talk with herself to pull it together.
As a result she is a happy, smart, confident young women who is allowing people to accept her or reject her in peace.

Lurecie

Dear Dr. Renita my husband brought home a copy of “Precious” for me to watch over the holiday. A guy at his job bootlegs and occasionally he gives in and buys. Neither of us were interested in seeing the film. I am glad I watched it!!!Very thought provoking. It gave my 22 yaer old daughter and I a chance to exchange ideas. We both agree that you should see it even though it may make you uncomfortable at first. I plan on paying to see it again this week-end.

Dr. Weems,

When you opened with the “Tragic Mulatto,” Lorraine Hansberry’s Toussaint came to mind. Stories like this challenge the idea that the lives of “lighter” Blacks were always easier, better. Even those who were able to “pass” had to deal with the struggle of double consciousness - hoping no one would find out and maybe for some, feeling like a traitor. It’s so true that Hollywood does not seem interested in broadcasting these types of stories, although it seems that Halle Berry’s character in Monster’s Ball comes pretty close (except its never said that the character is of mixed race). I never even processed this before. Wow.

I have not seen “Precious” yet either. It’s seems very difficult to depict American race and class issues without offending someone. Even if there’s truth to it, we as a people often get “tight” about seeing perceived stereotypes on screen. It does seem that Black media (TV, music, etc) seems to go in extremes. Precious seems to fit this mold.

Now I definitely have to go see it, after reading these comments.

Yvette,
Thank you, thank you, thank you! My sentiments exactly.

@Derrick,
While I believe the movie is outrageous overkill, I think it resonates with people because it speaks to more than “black pathology” in particular. Black girls aren’t the only ones exploited, abused and marginalized. These are issues plaguing white America as well. There are poor, illiterate white girls, abused by white men and women. Hopefully you will see that when you go to see the movie.

It has taken me almost two weeks to collect my thoughts since seeing the movie “Precious”. From a film perspective, yes the acting was excellent; but it is hard to merely talk about the acting skills within a movie that graphically shows the worst dysfunctions in society. I can’t even say dysfunction within the Black community, because we forget that abuse happens in every culture; we just seem to see it held up for display more often in the Black Community. I was greatly disturbed by this film, maybe because I am a social worker in Washington DC and have all too often seen Precious’ story up close and personal. For me the movie was like reading an abuse report of the worst kind. Yes, these things happen (sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse); but do we really need to put it up in lights for all to see as if it is something to be entertaining. I really wonder what the director’s intent was in putting this movie in theaters. Surely it wasn’t to shed light that abuse happens. We already know that!!! I went to see the movie because so many said it was inspirational. I’m still searching for the inspiration. For me it was just another sad plight of a Black woman living in poverty, no self esteem due to her parents stomping it out, and a compromised future due to disease and mimimal support. There was nothing inspiring about it. I was upset that fellow movie goers were laughing as she was disassociating into her pretend “mulatto life” during her abuse; how was that funny!!! And the fact that hollywood is talking oscar for Monique really makes me wonder why is it that the only way a Black person can get Hollywood recognition is when they play some stereotypical, dysfunctional character (ie: Denzel, Halle Berry, Terrance Howard). I don’t know Rev. Renita; Precious is real hard to swallow whether you see it in a theatre or wait for the DVD in your living room.

I read your blog on Precious before going to see it and that made me more curious. I have since seen the movie. As I watched I thought of a procvoative statment from Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God- “De nigger woman is de mule ud de world so fur as Ah can see.” For me this was another example of how women are devalued as human individuals rather they are objects to be used. With this in mind I would argue that the movie speaks to the plight of women, regardless of race, social class, or culture. Also, I believe that this should encourage us not to be silent on the issue of parental sexual abuse toward children. The church should speak, social agencies should speak, legal institutions should speak, neighbors, friends, and sisters should all speak out on such violence and destruction. We must demand that perpetrators are swiftly persecuted and convicted. We must demand resources to help provided healing for those who are injured in such a manner. We must do more. Precious, among many other things, is another painful reminder of ignored silent societal ills.