Angelina Jolie playing Cleopatra angers black community

Including Elizabeth Taylor? Who knows, but enough times for most Americans to think that she's White... Not that it should anger Black People per say but as is often the case, America seldom gets history right.

White Men find it hard to believe that a woman, let alone a woman of color demanded such respect and attention.

 

As has been mentioned earlier you can make claims of several Egyptian rulers being black. That's not the argument here. The argument is about Cleopatra based on what we know regarding her family, ancestry and the period in which she ruled. Period. There are more worthy kings and queens who you can claim were black so why are black folks stuck on Cleopatra whom the evidence (you know that boring stuff that is known as research that people who are paid to do the job) suggests was not black. All the stuff in the post above about the Nubians and such is common knowledge to anyone who has studied the subject. I for one already know about that and trust me as a sort of fan of the subject every time I can get my hands on a magazine that discusses the black Pharaohs and the African antiquity of Egypt I do. And none of those mags or books have ever given any credence to the notion that Cleopatra was black. So again I'll ask why is this a sticking point for some of you people? You act as if by not claiming Cleopatra was black means suggesting that none of the most prominent ancient Egyptians were black either. That's not the case.

 

Which says all about Mrs. Pearl that I need to know. My opinion of her has stayed the same ever since I learned she was 100% okay with Angelina going semi-blackface for the role.

 

Problem is the Persians, particularly of that era, were considered Caucasian. And you couldn't find many modern Persians/Iranians arguing over the choice of Gyllenhaal because most would prefer to be viewed as white anyway.

 

Take away the movies and those same white foks would still never think she was black either. You know the only group in the world to go around making claims that she was assuredly black? African Americans.

Yeah, but you see Cleopatra didn't command as much respect as you think. Under her watch Egypt essentially cede authority to Rome. Her "important moves" were to kill off her husband (who was also her brother) who asserted he was ruler of Egypt and to sleep with every important Roman leader in order to give birth to their children and thereby remain in control through the help of these men. Maybe I'm being too dismissive of her but some of you are going to far the other way. She was not a great leader.

 

some people here needs to take history lessons soon

 

I don't think Angie playing Cleopatra is the issue but the totality of incidents like this is what bothers me and many other people. Hollywood, scientist, historians, etc has a tendency to whitewash history. I understand that history is written by the victors but that doesn't mean it is correct for doing that. Watch any show on the History channel about Egypt they always have white actors/actresses playing the Pharaohs and Queens. Take a look at "The Prince of Persia" or "The Passion of Christ" have white people playing roles of Middle Eastern people. There are already a lack of movies and TV shows that features minorities so when a movie comes along that should star a minority and they give it a white actor/actress it is just another smack in the face.

 

Oh give me a break, sista. There are more actual middle-easterners playing middle-eastern roles than ever (hell 75% of them have played on "24" alone). "Slumdog" put Bollywood actors in the spotlight. And what about Sayid from "Lost?" Cleopatra was not black and I'm a black man saying this. Like Jamal said, if it were Nefertiti you might have a case. And black audiences would fall asleep at this kind of movie, they only pay attention if it's a Tyler Perry flick and Bishop TD Jakes has a cameo.

 

I think it funny you keep calling me a sista. There maybe more middle easterners, playing middle easterners than ever before but that still doesn't negate the fact that Hollywood and historians does have a tendency to "whitewash" movies and the history books. As a black man I also know that Cleopatra VII was probably a Greek also. But I do sadly agree that more black people would rather go see a Tyler Perry flick than something involving substance.

 

I have never seen/heard a black man refer to anything as a "slap in the face." I have heard "dissed," "dogged out." But black women have and do, especially when white women are in question.

 

we'll see what happens.. heh.. the last cleopatra movie bombed (Taylor), so there's not a great precedent..

anyway- more on the ptolomy clans.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ptolemaic_dynasty

 

Well even though it is a different movie it seems like the new movie "The Last Airbender" is getting some flack for the casting of white actors of a Asian themed movie. Whats ironic is the director is Asian.

http://insidemovies.moviefone.com/2....com/2010/06/29/is-the-last-airbender-racist/

 

That is a good point. But I was using the "slap in the face" phrase from the perspective of how some black women would feel. I personally don't feel like it is a slap in a face but it does piss me off everything is whitewashed. I know it is done like that because most white audiences can relate more to movies starring white people. And since white people are the biggest consumers in this country I understand that they will try to cater to them.

 

Indian. I've been told Indians don't like to be called Indian. Its a movie people should stop worrying about dumb shit like this and concentrate on shit like hunger

 

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha :smt011

 

DBZ: Evolution.

 

Why you don't view African history has your history you are African or you at least have African ancestry right. Shared global history what does that really means anyway everyone history is different do you know what happen in history still determine how you are treated by people in the future. The past affects the present and the future and if your not aware of history you are truly doomed to repeat it. History isn't just about things has superfiscial has what clothes you buy from the mall or what you eat. It tells your story of your people what they are capable of and what happen to them and how it affects their present situation. And who conquered who is very important or we wouldn't have history class thru out school teaching who conquered who. Ghandi, Mandella, Chavez, Jesus of Nazareth are they not a part of history you had to at least listen to a history teacher lecture you about these historic figures or read about them in a book. So focusing on one of the most influential ancient empires in the world is some how a waste of time why? We are just having a friendly debate about history it's no need to view this discussion has negative and I don't know why anyone would.

 

Has I said before I'm not sure but all I was saying is people are automatically shut down when they discuss things of this nature. Especially if it have anything to do with African history.

 

One or two black people have an opinion on something = black community

For the record, I don't believe Cleopatra was black (she may have been mixed however). But Nefertiti is definitely black. She's only been portrayed once in film I believe, played by Jeanne Crain.



But if you've seen Nefertiti's bust, she'd look more like african supermodel Iman



or african supermodel Liya Kebede



The comments on the site are pretty dumb too

Jaden Smith wasn't playing a white role, the characters in The Karate Kid remake were not the same. And a fictional character is pretty different than a historical figure.

"But god forbid a non black person playing an Egyptian."

But every movie with an ancient Egyptian has been non black.

I try to avoid blogs like this because they're full of ignorance about minorities, but its like watching a trainwreck...you can't look away.

:smt090

What's sad is that they really do think they're making sense. :smt012 :smt105

 

Wow. You are one omnipresent being if you can tell us that only a couple of black folks have ever had this opinion about Cleopatra being black. How are we mortal beings ever supposed to compete against someone with such knowledge?

Please. If you are like those other folks who like to play dumb about how MANY African Americans feel about this issue then go ahead. But I have a brain and experience. Enough to brush off this bullshit at least. I've been listening to black folks discuss or write about this topic for decades. Like Americans of all colors they spout ignornce on subjects they know very little about. But, yeah, lets pretend that only a handful black people people over the last 50 or so years have ever made claims about Cleopatra being black.

And saying she was possibly mixed is just more lazy, reactionary nonsense without any reseasrch to back it up. But, hey, she may have been mixed. But being "mixed" does not necessarily mean that black ancestry was part of that mixture