Father's Day

Happy Father's Day!

Yesterday, I happened to watch "I think I love my wife" directed by and starring comedian Chris Rock. Now, people love Chris Rock because he's a funny guy. I think he's ok--he's got some interesting ideas, some of which I object. I know for certain that poet and educator Nikki Giovanni can't stand him--at least she couldn't 8 years ago, when I met her for breakfast here in Fayetteville. Her less-than-nice opinions of him stuck with me and despite his hilarious stand-up "Bring the Pain" that put him on the map, I think his ideas are much too simplistic to be taken seriously.

Anyway, I watched this movie--which came highly recommended by my family and critics. It was OK, but the ONE part of the movie that sparked my sociological perspective and was really glad that he included was the references to race that were completely unnecessary to the film. I know that sounds weird, but I really mean it. Like when he asked his wife if there were any B-L-A-C-K kids at the camp she was involved in. To me it was a teaching moment for white Americans; those that fail to understand the importance of race in the socialization of blacks in America, and other ethnicities for that matter. Whites should understand that most black folk see everything through the lens of race. We must accept this fact in order for us to progress along racial lines.

"Why can't we all just be human beings?" is a phrase oft-used by white people to downplay race. But you must understand that to blacks, Hispanics, Asians, etc. that IS what it means to be a human being. Of course, it's hard for whites in America to understand that idea since they belong to the dominant group whose vision of what is means to be a human being is and has always been white culture.

In terms of the fatherly aspect of the movie, I also found it interesting that according to Rock's interpretation, it was his role as a FATHER and not necessarily his role as a husband keeps him from cheating on his wife. Interesting...