For Tyler

Orignially a play, then written in book form For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide /When the Rainbow isnt't Enuf by Ntozake Shange has started an uproar in some circles. There are critics all around about this movie that writer/producer Tyler Perry brought to the big screen. What I know is that it's art. There are not many people who will come from a piece of art and develop the same opinion. I also know that the truth hurts.

From the critics, there were two main positions, the men were bashed and it was too graphic/dramatic. The men in this movie seemed to demean women. They raped. They killed. They belittled women across the board. The women suffered strife to what some seemed unbelievable. The women were so sad. It didn't seem like they knew exactly how to handle life.

From the praisers, this movie was emotional. It was revealing. It was a break from the joking and drama of everyday simple life featured in Tyler's past movies. This movie was a look at life. This movie revealed to some that life is too short to let things fester. You can't let life get to you and keep you in bondage. It can be as dramatic as a rape or as simple as a man leaving you. There is a time to let it all go. You can't let issues stay with you and grow into these ugly monsters that control your life. This movie brought to light what those monsters can do to your life. You have to learn to live, laugh, and love. There were so many realizations to be realized from this movie. Family, friends, relationships, and attitudes. The list goes on.

As a woman, I personally didn't come away from this movie feeling any worse. It didn't make me feel like all men were dogs. It didn't make me feel like all men kill. I'm a survivor of many of those events that took place. It happens everyday. A young child is being molested. A woman is being raped. A woman is being beaten. A woman is aborting. A woman is crying. A woman is trusting the unworthy. It happens. It happens to women of all races and cultures. It's the truth. Face it. There is no bashing necessary. There is no extra drama necessary. All this young man of color, Tyler Perry did was bring to light what is happening. It is happening. It happened. It will happen again.

This is art. It's great that it has sparked such a flame. It's about time some flame has been lit. I can't speak for everyone who saw this movie. I'm not saying that you should have loved the movie, but be mindful of the full realm of this movie. First remember that Tyler didn't write the movie. He did put in a model man, who isn't in the original work. In an interview, Tyler stated that he did that just to ease over the harsh realities or bashing of the men. Second if you were offended by the movie in any fashion, just appreciate it for being a well-put together piece of art. My first lesson in a high school art course was that art is not so much to be liked, but to be appreciated. So as you develop your opinion of what should have or shouldn't have been depicted in this movie, be appreciative. These are a few questions to critique...Question why more movies don't depict the reality of real life. Question why more men or people of different races or cultures aren't writing and producing movies. Question what really are all too many men doing in our cultures today.

Don't bash me as a Tyler Perry lover or man basher, just appreciate me for my art - my writing.