Director Lee Daniels: White People Can “Really Love Us” And Still Call Us “N**gas”

http://newsone.com/2662944/the-butler-lee-daniels-racism/




Speaking to reporters at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Orlando, Florida, Oscar nominated-director Lee Daniels (Precious, The Butler), said that it is possible for White people — particularly in the Deep South — to “really love” Black people and still call them “n*ggas,” reports Politico.com.

Delving into the “strategic” use of the n-word in ‘The Butler’ as it was used by former President Lyndon B. Johnson against the backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement, Daniels opined that obvious displays of racism can be misleading:

“For me, it was very strategic,” Daniels told a group of reporters at NABJ. “When we did use it, it was used later on by Cuba [Gooding Jr., as the head butler] making fun of someone that did use it, Lyndon Johnson. It was sort of the joke that this guy uses it. So when he says it and talks about, it opens up — like Paula Deen — the concept of white people loving us and really loving us and feeling that it’s fine to use the word nigga. That’s how Johnson felt. He did something that was incredible for us. That’s trying to be taken away from us right now. And yet, he used that word just like ‘pass the grits.’ Racism is a very hard thing to explain, especially in the South.”

 

His comment about the word was made more in reference to his films, not society in general, because the original quotes makes him sound dumb as a brick.

You can't love someone truly that fundamentally you don't respect as a human being.

You can love them like you love your dog, but that's called a pet.

 

can't wait to see "the butler" with it's star studded cast...this movie is based on a true story...it is an American piece of history that we should all partake in...

as far as the director's take on white people loving black people and still calling them the n word...he is apparently misguided in thinking that in todays society that this would be a term of endearment...clearly the word should be left in the past and retired

 

Agreed. However, there are some people whom we have to blame to reinforce this misguided mechanism of words. And they are quick to keep it alive because "it belongs to us."

 

Unfortunately too many people will think guys like this speak for all black people; next thing you know they're calling your lil sons and daughters that to their faces.

Comedian eddie griffin said something similar, e.g it's okay for everyone to use "nigga", just not "nigger". :roll:

The takeaway, boys and girls, is these guys don't speak for me and mine. :smt066

Recently I saw a "hispanic" young couple arguing on the street. The girl was of very obvious african descent, the guy was more "indian" type. Anyway, in the course of the argument, he kept referring to her as "my nigga". I thought it was funny and stupid. The guy didn't even know how to use the word right. The girl was just taking it in stride like he always referred to her that way. Surreal and absurd.

Humans! :mrgreen:

 

Agreed.

Love some medullaslashin story time! :smt038

 

thanks cutie :smt023

wish i had more time to post on these boards - you guys have some really interesting discussions going, and by the time I can participate, usually the news is dead and everyone has moved on

hehheh

 

Well you have my vote of approval to jump in any time! Better late than never love :freehug:

 

OMG.....there are way too many jokes in this, I wouldnt know where to start. hell dave chapelle would take him apart

 

I can't wait to see The Butler and I also hope the miniseries Backstairs at The White House will be shown on Centric or TVOne.