Last night “60 Minutes” aired an segment on Tyler Perry and his success to date in the film industry. It was an interview I happened to catch by chance, but found myself recording and re-watching several times before I’d finally gone to bed. Say what you will-o-may about his work, but Tyler Perry is a force to be reckoned with in the world of entertainment. In the last 5 years alone, he has grossed millions with his many “Madea” movies and subsequent television spin-offs. He has built his empire on the foundation of relating to African Americans (specifically women) in a way that Hollywood has heretofore blatantly ignored. While I may not be the biggest Tyler Perry movie fan, I am a big fan of Tyler Perry; and as an aspiring entertainment mogul myself, I consider him to be one of my greatest role models. What enthralled me so about this particular interview- as short as it may have been- was listening to Tyler address what many African Americans (including myself) have often said about his work. As an example, Perry was read a quote recently given by Spike Lee:

“I think there’s a lot of stuff out today that is coonery and buffoonery. I see ads for ‘Meet the Browns’ and ‘House of Payne’ and I’m scratchin’ my head. We got a Black President and we’re going back. The image is troubling and it hearkens back to ‘Amos & Andy.’”

I, admittedly, have held this same opinion for a while. I commend Perry for his success and I have gone and supported a few Madea movies in the past, but I’ve struggled desperately to make it through to the end of any of them given their overwhelming stereotypical nature. It’s not that I don’t find Madea & Co. entertaining- they can be downright hilariously foolish at times- but, seriously, for the most part, that’s all we ever are when it comes to black faces on the silver screen. When you go to see a “Black film,” nine times out of ten you expect to laugh your ass off and gag at the many “it’s funny cuz it’s true” stereotypes that parade around on screen. It is for this reason that many Black Americans do not support Perry’s movies. In the interview, Tyler replied to Spike Lee’s comment, and I’m assuming the voice of the opposition in general, by saying:

“Let me tell you what Madea, Brown… all these characters are are bait. Disarming, charming, make-you laugh bait. So, I can slap Madea in something and talk about God, love, faith, forgiveness, family…any of those things. That pisses me off…it really does…because it’s attitudes like that that make Hollywood think that these people do not exist; and that’s why there’s no material speaking to them, speaking to us.”

When I heard him say that I had to let my guard down a little bit (not all the way, though). Both Spike and Tyler make very good points. With Tyler’s response, I thought about baby steps and bridges. One thing Perry does well in his movies is combine the slap-stick nature of his Madea character with an inspiring message of love, family, and believing in God- even if he does have to pull in Cicely Tyson and Maya Angelou to do so. He is, or is at least attempting to bridge the gap between buffoonery and maturity. We have to crawl before we can walk; and while yes, most of us are trying to hurry up and run over to the land of mature Black cinema, Hollywood doesn’t yet recognize that we can be serious and still relevant on our own. They are still blind to the many faces of Black America and so are increasingly hesitant to push the envelope. It’s going to take a lot of work to accomplish that. Luckily, it seems that Perry has been thinking ahead, as the highly anticipated movie “Precious-” complete with a star-studded cast and a powerful modern take on the Black experience- is about to hit theaters next month. The movie, executive produced by Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey, has already garnered rave reviews, and could quite feasibly open the door for many other mature-natured Black films to be featured in Hollywood.

I greatly appreciate Tyler for what he has done and is continuing to accomplish in the areas of Black film and television. He has taken very large steps in opening doors for our community of entertainers and for the race at large. With “Precious” on the horizon, and his very own 31-acre television production studio already in use, I hope that he broadens the scope of the movies he releases. As they say, “With great wealth comes great responsibility.” I’m not holding him responsible for the future of Black cinema, but I am acknowledging the opportunity he has to put us on the map, for real! FUBU ain’t got nothin’ on what Tyler Perry could do and represent for Black America. It’s a very exciting time to be Black right about now, and I’m looking forward to seeing what Tyler does next.

Oh, and Mr. Perry: If you’re need a writer, actor, producer, etc.- I’m available!

a friend of mine, over the weekend, offered the advice that i begin to create wish lists for the publishing, promotion and success of my book. the first list he recommended i write, given where i am in the publishing process, was a list of people who i’d like to read and review my manuscript. when the book comes out i’m definitely gonna want some critical acclaim stamped on the back cover, and so it would definitely behoove me to start reaching out to people for their opinion. not a bad idea…

i’ve thought long and hard about it, and have come up with my top 5:

1.) kevin r. scott – writer & multimedia producer: i read kevin’s stuff all the time. he’s all over urban culture, and is one of the coolest people i know. i am inspired by his commitment to excellence and to his community at large. although i just met him in person last week, we’ve been close online acquaintances for years. his is an opinion that i truly respect and admire.

2.) keith boykin – author, speaker & tv host: keith is the editor of the daily voice online news website, and is one of the most prominent and intellectual black voices of my generation… and he’s gay! i was introduced to his work a few years ago, and although i’ve not yet had the chance to sit and chat with him about, well… anything, i’m a big fan.

3.) b. scott – celebrity blogger & youtube personality: b. scott is a rising star in the gay community! in a year and some change he has managed to take himself and his website to new heights in media and entertainment; all the while staying true to who he is and showing, ever splendiferously, that loving yourself first is the most important lesson of them all.

4.) e. lynn harris – author: the first book i read written about black men who love men was harris’s “invisible life.” it changed me forever in that afterwards, i was no longer afraid to be who i am- to truly live my life openly as a gay man. although there were some before him, he was the author who, for me, put black gay men on the map; and now, 12 books later, harris remains a force to be reckoned with as far as black, gay literature is concerned.

5.) oprah winfrey – tv host; inspiration to millions across the globe: you gotta reach for the stars! seriously though, oprah is a huge proponent of empowering others by speaking your truth. “evolution of a man” is nothing if it is not my truth and my testimony for self-discovery and living your best life. it would be a pleasure to have oprah read my work and, Lord willing, place that little book club stamp on the cover.

there are a couple of other people running around in my head who i’d like to reach out to (and probably will), but these are my top five. so far, i’ve written to one of them and will be drafting letters to the others this week.

it’s time to get this gravy train movin’!

i find myself, this first month of the new year, in the midst of the most difficult, frustrating and uncertain time of my life. in the last two weeks alone i’ve wanted to let go and give up on several occasions. i have no career, no money, and no social life; and find myself struggling just to get out of bed in the morning. as i begin to approach my 30th birthday, i don’t really know what i want out of and for my life, but i am holding on as tight as i possibly can to my faith that this rough patch is only temporary, and the best is yet to come.

one beacon of hope- something that i do have to work with right now- is my book, “evolution of a man: a journal of self-discovery.” in the last few days, i have completed the final draft, and am ready to publish and release my work. all i have to do now is come up with $1,500 or so for self-publishing and distribution. finishing this project is a tremendous accomplishment for me-words can’t express how proud and excited i am. laying the foundation for my career begins with this project. this book is the only brick i have to lay in place right now. i may be struggling with financing, but at least i’ve got a product- so i can breathe a little sigh of relief. i know that i want a career as an entertainment and motivational entrepreneur (read: mogul), and this book, in my opinion, gives me a great opportunity to begin such a career; but the question that still hangs over my head (and one that i truly hope to figure out in 2009) is “what do i want to do?”

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career aspirations aside, i’m doing a bit of groundwork in my personal life as well. i am really serious (this year more than ever) about staying healthy and fit, and being social offline and outside of my apartment. in the past couple of weeks, i’ve been working out like crazy in my home wii fit- bowflex equipped gym. the deal i made with myself was to work out for an hour a day, 5 to 6 days a week. 3 days a week i do half an hour of cardio on the wii, followed by a 20-30 minute bowflex workout; and the other 3-4 days i’m strictly wii-fit (aerobics, yoga and strength training). working out hasn’t been nearly as difficult as i thought it would be- especially after meditating in the morning. usually i avoid working out at all costs, but something in me has changed. i still don’t look forward to hittin’ the gym so-to-speak, but now that my spirit is on board, it is now much easier to talk myself into working out than to talk myself out of it.

getting my social life together, however, is going to be more difficult. when it comes to being social (mostly with people whom i’ve never met) i am more of a wallflower than a butterfly. it is my goal to dramatically change that in 2009. i really need to get out, meet new people, try new things, and further open my mind. being a creature of habit, i’m very set in my ways, but i have made a promise to myself to get out of my own way and enjoy all that new york city has to offer. i combed the pages of this week’s time out nyc magazine, and highlighted many events all over the city that sparked my interest. there’s definitely some really cool stuff out there, and i can’t wait to get started. the biggest obstacle for me these days, though, is braving the cold weather of winter. I HATE BEING COLD! but i’ll just have to suck it up, buy some thermal underwear, and call it a day until mother nature brings the heat once again.

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i have no doubt that 2009 will be a great year for me. there’s much to do and much more to look forward to. i’ve lost myself in the last 8 or 9 months, and it’s really important to me that i get my life back. although i’m not entirely sure of where i’m going, or what i’m doing, i know i will find my footing very soon, and begin to lay the foundation for an incredibly bright and successful future. here’s to 2009!

yes i can!