WS Chronicle

Disappointment in Busta’s movie review

To The Editor:

Lest no one convey their thoughts about this article (Busta’s Movie Review, Feb. 13), I thought it was very needful to do.

Mr. Brown, let me be one of the ones who wish you Happy Black History month. A month that you not only chose to convey negative and unthoughtful comments regarding a successful black man, but also you forgot to mention the positive contributions of Mr. Perry, such as the purchase of a compound in Atlanta that housed slaves, but now employs a great number of black people. People who I had not seen on television in a long time and I turn to watch TV and wouldn’t you know it, Mr. Tyler Perry has given them a job. Thank you, Mr. Perry for job opportunities, whether it is acting, housekeeping or theatrical settings, people who were not working now have a job.

While clearly understanding that this article is your opinion and you are entitled to your opinion, this is not only my opinion, but several others who read your supposedly movie review that turned into a performance bashing. It was embarrassing to read and know how you view the efforts and success of a black man. To be candid, we are hurt about this black on black attack. Since when is it wrong to write and produce from your own pains and experiences?  That is literally what you are suggesting when you write that his story lines are not what you expect and repetitive and that he needs to write from some other perspective. 

Two thoughts come to my mind and they are: ”You don’t know his story so you don’t know his glory in being a very successful producer,” and the other thought is this, ”If it is not broke, don’t fix it.” Mr. Perry’s movies are just what they are – entertainment and not ”band-aid” for people who need healing. I never heard him say his plays were for healing. Healing is what God does.

Why should Mr. Tyler Perry’s vocation be looked at any different from my job or your job? Is it because his job has produced wealth? That is still no reason for his writing and producing skills to be criticized as you did. Let’s not get it twisted that plays and movies are for entertainment and healing is from God and no matter what direction in his productions that he chooses to take Mr. Tyler Perry, he should be noted for his hard work, dedication and commitment to entertainment as he views it. 

Raymona Brown

Winston-Salem