I'm Sorry...But Every Black Actor/Actress Doesn't Represent ME!

For some reason, there is this general attitude that every actor/actress of African descent must represent the Black race as a whole.

That may have meant something in the 1960's and 1970's, but in this current generation; I don't want to be associated with many of those who are part of the Hollywood/Celebrity cliques today. Although many of them can and are very talented and interesting; their lives and behavior are not reflective of the convictions that I hold or the community at large, per se.

I know who I am.

There is nothing that Denzel Washington, Steve Harvey, Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Laurence Fishburne, Whoopi Goldberg, et al., can say or do that defines the character, intellect and spirit of my being better than I can.

Celebrities are nothing more than an extension of the larger community of our people. They are not spokesman or clergy. They represent a conglomerate that is designed to sell illusion. Nothing more.

When their actions condemn them; the media is quick to come to our community and ask our reaction. As is the case with Tiger Woods. But for those of us who PAY ATTENTION; Tiger Woods condemned himself over 15 years ago on Oprah when he stated that he did not consider himself Black. He looked directly at Oprah and stated that he liked to refer to himself as a "CAUBLINASIAN." And in an audience filled with Black folks mind you. Thus, when he got caught with his pants down with all of those poor white COCKtail waitresses--who just happened to get very rich after scandalizing him...causing his divorce from his very blond Swedish wife; the Black community reminded Tiger of what he said to Oprah in 1997, and thanked him sincerely. For once, this one wasn't on us.

African history is far deeper than what Hollywood could possibly portray, but Hollywood doesn't like Black people and doesn't mind reminding us of that.

Thus, I contend that Black people need to stop looking to celebrities in general as a means of identity of who we are. But we need to always make Black celebrities accountable if what they represent to the media contradicts who and what we truly are as a people.

Can you dig it?