American films often depicted the black community as stereotypically. The black women are depicted in all American films as loud, sassy or angry. Men are depicted as being on the streets selling drugs, treating their women badly and committing crimes. Madea’s family reunion, which Tyler Perry produced in 2006, is about bringing together an African American family at a reunion. Madea, who is well-known as a mother figure, helps her family and a foster child struggling to make positive changes. Madea’s Family Reunion reveals stereotypes about African Americans. It shows how women are dependent on men for their care.
While this paper will focus on the stereotypes used in Madea’s Family Reunion, others claim that the film’s main message revolves around family values and the importance to religious belief. Tonya E. Perry and Denis Maye Davis’s article “Momma’s Girl” discuss how most age groups identified their mothers and their grandmothers as their mothers. Madea Simmons appears in the film as a woman that every family member admires. She makes herself available for any need and is an example of how to be a good person. To avoid jail, she takes in Niki, a troubled foster kid. To avoid going to jail, she adopts Niki, a troubled foster boy. Madea also allows two of her nieces to stay with the family. Vanessa, one her nieces, resides with her. They have two children by different men. Her children have no fathers. A result of past experiences, Vanessa finds it difficult to love Frankie. Madea tells Vanessa that Frankie must love her, and she should stop giving him trouble. Lisa, the other niece, is engaged to Carlos, a controlling and abusive banker. Victoria, her mother, encourages her not to end the engagement. After several days, Lisa calls her sister Vanessa to discuss the situation. Vanessa calls Madea to get advice. Madea calls Lisa and advises her to resist Carlos. Madea supports Vanessa, Lisa, and Nikki through these difficult times. Madea encourages them to recognize their own values and accept themselves. Cherise Harris, Keisha Tassa and Keisha Tatae’s article “Cinematic Incarnation” argue that gender messages are problematic if they depict black men and women accurately. Also that Perry’s movies show that women’s main concern is keeping and getting a man. Perry’s movies are always shown this way, according to those who have seen them. Madea’s Family Reunion shows that women are conditioned to believe that a man is financially stable and can take care for them. It also shows women who are unsure of men due to their past.
Madea’s Family Reunion showed that women allow men to treat them in any way they want, because they are financially stable. Tyler Perry’s film shows the interaction between Lisa and Vanessa, two sisters. Vanessa, a single mother, was sexually abused at her stepfather’s hands and has formed a relationship to a bus driver. Lisa is engaged to Carlos, an abusive banker. Victoria, Victoria’s mother, forced Lisa to take the engagement to a halt and avoid anything that would make Carlos mad or upset. Some women depend on their children and men for care in every day life. Courtney Young believes that the movie teaches women to be strong, yet not too strong, and to accept their role as mother and wife (Carey999). Tyler Perry is trying his best to make women feel less powerful so they can control their lives. In the film, Lisa admits that Carlos had been beating her. She has a conversation about this with Madea and her Mother and decides to either listen to her mother and keep Carlos earning steady income, or follow Madea’s lead and throw Carlos with a pan of grits. Vanessa, on one hand, was a child her mom used to keep a husband. Vanessa found it difficult to trust every man in her life. Cherise Harris and KeishaTassie discuss how Vanessa’s wealthy stepfather (and Lisa’s biological dad) raped her when she was a young girl in exchange for living with him and continuing their marriage. Victoria said that “if I was going to be comfortable it would have to take some hard, difficult decisions”. Victoria was a child of despair and lovelessness because of her upbringing. The film tells the story of Victoria, who allowed her husband to rape Vanessa (Madea), so that she could continue to take care her children. Victoria’s husband raped her oldest daughter Vanessa to make it easier for her to trust a man in her life. The film also showed that even though women will have their struggles, you don’t have to accept any man treating you badly in order to live a financially secure life. It is now becoming difficult for African American females to see the importance of male dominance.
Tyler Perry’s films are more focused on stereotypes than family values. Cherise and Keisha Tames’ article, “The Cinematic Incarnation,” focuses on three themes found in films. “Middle-class Blacks (and/or status-obsessed) are seen as materialistic and/or dysfunctional. Middle-class Blacks, on the other hand, are disdainful toward working-class Blacks and/or lower-class Blacks. These stereotypical views of black communities will remain in the minds and hearts of younger generations, making it easier for them to accept the reality. These stereotypical views of black people, including selling drugs, mistreating females, committing a criminal offense, being loud and sassy as well as being angry, upset the community. Madea’s Family Reunion showed black women and men fighting, drinking, and dancing while children were present. These images send a negative message to younger generations that look up to older generations for help. However, it is important to understand that not all black people think the same way as others.
Madea’s Family Reunion is a reflection of stereotypes about African Americans. It shows women and how they depend on their male caregivers. The film’s impact on moviegoers is evident. It also has a social significance because many people experience these things every day. These stereotypes can become reality for many. This could lead to their children becoming more aware of what they see on the screen and how it affects daily life.
Works cited
Carey Tamika. ‘Take Your place: Rhetorical Therapy and Black Womanhood In Tyler Perry’s Films.’Signs. Journal Of Women In Culture & Society 39.4 (2014) 999-1021. Literary Reference Center is a source of information about literature. Web. Nov. 1, 2016
Davis-Maye and Denise Perry. “Momma’s girl: The importance of maternal figure support in the development of hope for African American girls.” Journal Of Human Behavior In The Social Environment 15.2/3 (2007), 307-328. SocINDEX has full text. Web. Nov. 1, 2016.
Harris, Cherise, Keisha, and Tassie. Journal Of African American Studies 16.2 (2012), 321-344. Academic Search Complete is a comprehensive database for scholars. Web. November 1, 2016.
Madea’s family reunion. Dir. Tyler Perry. Perf. Tyler Perry, Blair Underwood and Lynn Whitfield. Lionsgate, 2006. Film.
