Tyler "the creator" Perry

Over the weekend media mogul Tyler Perry opened his studios in a celebrity clad event. The greats were all present, from Oprah to the Obamas, the Carters, and the list continues. Tyler Perry purchased old plantation land and built the country’s second largest studio which happens to be the only one owned by a black person. Of course the social media posts varied from praises to condemnation for this act. I understand the criticism and the place from where it comes, but I also disagree with it’s issue, not the facts.

As Black-Americans, one of the taglines that people usually repeat is that we are not a monolith and that everyone believes in something different and that is true. The thing is that if that is the case then, some things can be done by people with whom you might disagree but nonetheless, you can still be proud of the accomplishment. This is what I feel is missing from the current conversation. There is a lot of “but he did this by…” and “but he's a…”, etc..

I mean everyone knows that Tyler Perry made his fortune and gained popularity based on the Madea character from his plays and movies. Madea is a stereotypical character which rubs people the wrong way because of the depiction of a black matriarch by a black man. I agree that Madea is not a fantastic/perfect representation of a black grandmother, but she does mimic some and if the shoe does not fit, do not try to wear it or claim it as your own. Meaning, if it does not match your family or someone you know, then ignore it as it is not meant for you. I see Madea as a means to an end and she served a very specific purpose.

The amount of wealth that Tyler Perry amassed starts with Madea, but has since branched out to many different endeavors. Now I am not well versed on many of the Perry productions but they are entertaining so I hear about then and I know he has a large following. The point here is that Tyler Perry makes money because there is a demand for what he produces. Furthermore, if we take a moral approach, then if we're honest, we're will admit that no one who is in an obtrusively wealthy person/couple gained their wealth in a completely moral, ethical, or socially consciencel fashion. I mean even queen Beyonce went through different group configurations and holding her tongue until she reached a level of influence which could not be silenced.

So yes, Madea was a bad Mammy portrayal of a black matriarch, but her shucking and jiving should open the doors for people to be heard and to be in charge of their own representation. Has it occurred to anyone that Madea was “allowed” to get so popular because the gatekeepers who were in charge of those studios liked the portrayal of black people, and if this is the case, yes Tyler Perry played along with depicting a black woman in this light. I do not hold that against him because he was hungry, desolate, and homeless when these opportunities were offered to him and he could not turn down the chance. So the measure is what will he do now that he holds the keys and put other people in a place of ample opportunity. What will his brand and legacy become? Will black people try to work exclusively with Tyler Perry? Will black people try to get a family/shared ancestry “skinfolk" discount? I just think it’s time to see what happens and if everyone is right and I end up wrong, then so be it.

Take this approach with friends and family as well. Don't be so quick to judge something or someone; wait and see what happens. You might be pleasantly surprised with the outcome. I agree with the facts on which the criticism is based, I just wish it was privately discussed and not so finite.

So when I go to Atlanta in January, I will be looking to take a tour to see this piece of history for myself.

Read an interview published in the LA Times, where Perry gives his insight of his studio opening...

https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2019-10-02/tyler-perry-studios-atlanta-dedication?_amp=true

The picture used was published by the LA Times in the same article