We Can Do Bad All By Ourselves

I must first say that I am not a movie critic and this post is not about encouraging anyone to see a film, but I was compelled to share my thoughts to some extent on what I hope the benefit of this film will be to our community.

Probably amid much criticism, Tyler Perry's new movie, I Can Do Bad All By Myself (Trailer HERE) is one of the best productions that I have seen in quite some time geared toward the struggles of American families and the African American community in particular. This production took me across almost every emotional spectrum especially when I viewed it against the backdrop of what I know we're dealing with as a community.

To Tyler Or Not To Tyler?

First, I know the criticisms of Tyler Perry. A single rich man is quickly called a homosexual when he doesn't get married quickly enough, is seen with the "wrong" minister, and makes part of his living portraying a woman. A particular minister, even goes so far as to suggest that for the sake of "entertainment" Tyler violates God's word, by dressing in drag and immitating a woman, consequentely doing damage to morality and violating biblical principles. Secondly, cussin' that used to be centered around the misuse of the word hell is now outright and flat out profanity, which I'll be the first to say should be eliminated.

On the  former however,  I'd also say that since I don't know him (Tyler Perry) personally, and God hasn't yet spoken to my spirit regarding the issue of his sexuality, that I'm not entertaining criticisms that this man is a homosexual. However, with that said, we should examine the defining line as it pertains to upholding biblical standards even in the entertainment industry. In my opinion that's a good conversation to have, but it must be undertaken from a scriptural standpoint and many of the fundamentalist and literalist views some of which may or may not be correct, must be stoked out in the process.

In other words, I pose, as I have done previously, that if Christians resist simply because "industry" is ungodly, we should be aware that there is no modern industry in which sinners and the ungodly are not enriched in some way, or where sinners don't sometimes control production standards. Example; Even many "Christian" owned companies receive supplies from suppliers and many of those suppliers are the same sinners and ungodly that some of us try to avoid. So what should the Saint do? Close shop and refuse to do business with anyone? I don't believe that position is biblical nor is it practical, but it soes foster good conversation.

To The Heart Of the Matter

There were many situations that Tyler touched on in this film. There were parentless children, adultery, a minister doing his best to serve the community (finally a positive portrayal of the church ~ Thanks Pastor Marvin) and a self centered lady settling for a suga-daddy doing the same thing over and over yet hoping for a change.

I was struck on a number of different levels and even at one point started to clap my hands and praise the Lord in the movie theatre (until I realized that I wasn't in church-LOL...that didn't stop me too much though) The movie hit home when I contrasted it to what is actually going on in our community...This is what a certain minister says on his website regarding the immorality of the Black community and its support of President Barack Obama during his recent campaign:

"Who better to strip America of it's morality than a representative of the most immoral group of people in the nation? Don't get mad at me, the numbers show that Blacks are the most immoral group in America and that we could care less about morality when it comes to looking good. The statistics on this matter show that we have the highest HIV rate, incarceration rate, drop out rate, STD rate, Abortion rate, murder rate, teen pregnancy rate, single parent rate, homosexual and lesbian rate, etc." ~ G. Craige Lewis Blogspot June 2010

I must say that I don't agree with this statement for a minute because it's a radical oversimplification of the problem, blaming the victim for current conditions that are readily observed. To say that blacks are the most immoral Americans because the statistics say so, is not only an  incorrect way to interpret modern soci-societal  statistical data but it's also a racist remark that the KKK would love to affirm. It's also an unempathetic position for church leadrship to take if the mission of the church is really the healing of the nation. However, this sort of observation does solidify the fact that the Black community has rather unique problems that effect the nation. The entire community, including the church, must become  better at addressing issues if our mission is to meet the needs with the power of God.

I believe Tyler's movie and other movies  like Tyler's  could be an element in helping to address these issues and start the necessary dialogue at a fundamental level. How? Simply put, we have  witnessed the power of media and entertainment to promote a message. For too long those mediums have been used to promote and solidify immorality and worthlessness. We are quick to observe the devastating effects that videos have had on our children in promoting pimps, sex and drugs. This movie exposes what we see but in a much different manner  than how it has been traditionally presented.

Burdens That Can be Lifted

Because so many individuals within the Black community are emotionally tired, spiritually weak and drained, too many have taken the easy road and are now content to follow the path of least resistence. The movie exposes that all too often, it's easy for a woman to accept a married man that uses her for sex and destroys her emotionally all in the name  of payin' the bills, deceiving herself into thinking that the future has promise. Some of those same women have suffered from emotional and sometimes physical abuse. It's a wonder that individuals trapped within that  type of bondage and emotional upheaval, even make it from day to day, yet alone contribute to the welfare of anyone else.

Many within our community have become so desensitized to abnormal behaviors until we make excuses for actions and rationalizations for our responses (or lack therof)  to try to make sense of what we observe. Alchoholism, as portrayed in the film, is sometimes a result of uncovered and unreconciled pain, and many never take time to try to find out what real problems have occurred behind closed doors leading to such destructive behaviors. Then there are our children...abandoned, left to fend for themselves and having to grow up way too early. Due to deaths, drugs and other ills some of our youth have been forced to create their own set of rules and morality as a way to psychologically deal with the evil that they've experienced. Unfortunately, we see that false moral standard played out in crime, incarceration and murder stats. The positions and predicaments that children have been placed in from being sold for drugs to molestation and abandonment, has taken it's toll on a whole generation who needs sound leadership, patience and someone to talk to them instead of about them.

Yes, Tyler's film dealt with the whole gambit of issues and placed God in the middle of  it all, not through a pimp or homosexual preacher, but through an extended hand and beacon within the community trying to assist individuals in whatever way they could. I was most excited about this because for too long the church has just been a part of the community and not the center of it. I am a firm believer that the church must take its place and get back to the real mission of Christ. We can sell  tapes DVD's and collect honorariums, but we should never forget the souls  of the individuals that God has called us to minister to.

Through all that was shown and portrayed there will yet be others that will only see a man in drag or hear curse words (the same one's they think but don't say) and shake  their head saying that God is against it all. Yet others will only hear Mary J. Blige singing and write it all off as mindless, godless mess. In other words some will only see  imperfections because it's a Hollywood movie. Well, that's ok, because in the end, I believe that God has seen all of our imperfections also, and yet loved us. Besides all that thank God that he is not against us like many people have portrayed and continue to portray him to be. Thank God that none of these types of situations or souls are beyond the reach and the power of God. I am afraid that some things simply must change IF we are to effectively reach and  make a difference within this generation.  We must not become weaker, but we certainly must become wiser. Unfortunately, popular pulpits, church facilities, tape, DVD sales and large offerings (including speaking fees) have duped the gospel minister into either being a ministrel putting on a show or a pupeteer seeking to pull  the next sensational string to which audience emotions are attached. The wisdom of loving and cultivating souls has somehow escaped our grasp.

Conclusion

If Tyler's movie does anything for the Black community, I hope it  fosters the serious and necessary conversation that the church must have with its youth, families and community outside of  its walls. I hope it causes the minister to leave the receiving of offering tray for a minute to give back to lost souls. I hope that if this movie does anything, it will let individuals who are desperate know that with Christ, all things are possible, and that  God can TRULY teach us how to love.

Blessed!