Courage & Celluloid - Chris "Preach" Smith

How do we want our heroes to live onscreen?

That ran through my mind on my way home earlier this evening after
having the chance to see the highly anticipated 'Red Tails', a movie
about the all-Black 332nd Fighter Group, the Tuskegee Airmen and
their experience in World War II Italy. I can definitely say that this
movie has sparked a lot of discussion on the 'Net and offline in many
ways. The fine folks I caught the film with (shoutout to the Jewish
Multiracial Network) were no exception; we had a lively and engaging
talk about what the impact of a film like 'Red Tails' has in communities of
color. And now, as I'm typing this up, that above question has even more
weight.

I saw one or two people kind of down rate going to see the film this first
weekend. 'Why should I rush to see it just because it's a mostly all-Black
cast?" "It's a Hollywood film, you know how they see us already." I paid
all of that no mind for this reason: Black cinema that entertains AND
enriches needs to be supported. Yes, George Lucas is the main man
behind this film. It doesn't make 'Red Tails' any less of a film for that fact.
Bear in mind he's wanted to do this since 1988. He even hired Aaron
McGruder to write the screenplay, AFTER McGruder basically demolished
him for creating Jar Jar Binks in 'Star Wars' which made Aaron feel as if
the character was an embodiment of negative Black stereotypes. Lucas
funded this film mostly out of his own coffers. He felt this film needed to
be made. And he did it even after seeing how Spike Lee's own 'Miracle
At St.Anna' was denied funding and basically forgotten in theaters. Hell,
Spike is now at Sundance with his newest film and HE even said 'go see
'Red Tails'. Because it is OUR history.


Which brings me back to my original question. I think, that for communities of color, we
deserve to see our heroes from that era onscreen. While 'Red Tails' doesn't really get into
the full backstory of each pilot and their commanding officers outside of a few anecdotes
for shading, I've accepted it's not there for investigating the complexities of that time. It's
a movie designed to establish just how important these men were to ensuring victory in
World War II with enough blazing, Saturday morning movie matinee fashion. It's giving the
Tuskegee Airmen their due on the big screen. To me, that's definitely important. And while
we only get a little about these men, perhaps the proposed prequel and sequel will fill in
the blanks. Maybe someone else like a Lee Daniels or a Ernest Dickerson will be able to
make a film that will add more depth to these heroes. Until then, 'Red Tails' allows our
heroes their place in the celluloid world. Maybe their courage will breed it in others to get
more of our stories out the way we want to see them.