Tinseltown Takeover

Recently many Marvel comic book fans has voiced their contempt for a black man portraying a traditionally white role in the comic book film Fantastic Four. The actor I am referring to is the handsome and talented Michael B. Jordan. He is not related to Air Jordan also known as Michael Jeffrey Jordan. Michael B. Jordan has been seen in the television series Friday Night Lights. He has also starred in the critically acclaimed film Fruitvale Station based on the life of Oscar Grant. Michael's other film credits include Hardball, That Awkward Moment, and Chronicle. In a recent essay published in Entertainment Weekly he was slamming his bigoted critics with these statements.

"This is a family movie about four friends-----two of whom are myself and Kate Mara as my adopted sister---- who are brought together by a series of unfortunate events to create unity and a team. That's the message of the movie, if  people can just allow themselves to see it." He supported his arguments with another compelling statement.

"Sometimes you have to be the person who stands up and says, "I'll be the one to shoulder all this hate. I'll take the brunt for the next couple of generations." I put the responsibility on myself. People are always going to see each other in terms of race, but maybe in the future we won't talk about it as much. Maybe if I set an example, Hollywood will start considering more people of color in other prominent roles, and maybe we can reach the people who are struck in the mindset that "it has to be true to the comic book." Or maybe we have to reach past them.

"To the trolls on the Internet, I want to say: Get your head out of the computer. Go outside and walk around. Look at your friends' friends and who they're interacting with. And just understand this is the world we live in. It's okay to like it."



Source
Mother Jones, Edwin Rios
http://www.motherjones.com/mixed-media

Toni's Thoughts: I have been a fan of Michael B. Jordan since I saw him in the film Hardball. Therefore any film or television series he stars in I watch. I will say I was never a huge comic book fan but  I do appreciate the X-Men film franchise. I ponder about the hypocrisy. Many white people are upset about Michael being portrayed as one of their super heroes. How do you think black people felt when the film Exodus, Gods, and Kings was released? Egypt's real name is Kemet. Moses and Ramses II were portrayed by prominent white actors but the dialogue resembles a British accent. I believe they are getting a taste of their own medicine. The History Channel claims the Pyramids were built by aliens. Just think about it and research it. Personally I would rather  see black film makers create more black super heroes  such as Black Dynamite. Although I believe Michael will do excellent job in this film and deserves to grow as an artist.