It wouldn't be too long before it got to this. I pretty much knew the day would happen when Rihanna, or another popular sistah, would be working opposite a white boy on film. I don't make a habit like I used to to keep up with new projects, so thanks to Rasta for starting it off. Where to begin....
I agree with Rasta that I got love for R., and don't blame her for taking on any roles in Hollywood IF she's a serious actress for the long term. Though too often H-town does this, picking up music artists who seem to transcend race and culture and put them in movies. Many times with little to no talent whatsoever. But yeah, Rasta's correct in that, how often do black actors get placed opposite white actresses in general??? Not too often to me. If they do, it's generally Sam Jackson and some b-list white woman. Oh yes I agree that Hollywood practices racism and vicious stereotyping of black men quite regularly. As for Rihanna's race, let's not pretend she would go ANYWHERE in America here and would be recognized as something other than black. I don't care what island she's from, she's a sistah.
As for ValleyGuy's comments, we already know how America will see it. The majority of Americans agree with IR dating, but people are STILL put off by black/white dating in general. It's just less threatening when it's a black woman/white man couple. I mean be real. We weren't terrified with "Lakeview Terrace" with Kerry Washington and her white boy hubby, were we? And in the original "Bodyguard," at the time I think more white people were upset with Kevin Costner than Whitney. But they still got more exposure than Denzel or Sam J. would have gotten with a white woman. So Rasta has every right to be upset in the unfairness of how IR relationships are portrayed in Hollywood. Most of the time, a black man has a better chance of being paired with a latin or asian woman than a white female.
And let's all drop this business about "LIFE ISN'T FAIR..." The truth is I've been out in the real world like the rest of you and PEOPLE are the one's who are truly not fair. Then PEOPLE in Hollywood run the industry. The producers and owners of these companies. They're the one's who hire everyone and fire everyone. And they're the ones who decide which tv shows and movies get green lighted. And the casing agencies are outright the most RACIST of them all, because they already have it picked out who the racial pairings will be. It's all institutionalized racism, specifically set up against blacks. And before you all say it, I'm not a racist. I honestly don't care who blacks are paired with or who they portray on camera. As long as they give a good performance. But there is an audience out there who DOES care about race, and that's why Hollywood spends soo much time keeping these stereotypes in place.
I apologize for the lengthy response. I'll end with what "Soulthinker" said, that we shouldn't hold our breath on bm/ww relationships. It just AIN'T gonna happen anytime soon. America really just does not, does not want to see that. Many against it feel it's promoting IR dating and makes white women seemingly more accessable. Well, what message does it send when black women are paired with white men in everything from music videos, commercials, major tv appearances, all the way to the big screen???? Yeah, that's what I thought.
) I've noticed that in the IR pairings, Hollywood seems to have it now that the black girl is either dating or married to the white guy. They seem exclusive and aren't really aware of any outside negative forces. But with the black guy, he may not even be dating the white girl in the beginning. He must subtly chase her around like some love-sick pup hoping she takes him on. And god-forbid, they won't be married.
