Is it just me or do other people see the emergence of a new archetype - black men as the wise mentor. You know, the guy in the know, the one who has not only intelligence but actual life experience, not to mention a very cool look.
Just look at recent movies: The Matrix, for one. Morpheus is the guy in the know, the one who finds Neo and saves them all by helping "The One" realize himself. In Star Wars Samuel L. Jackson played a similar role. Not your genre? How about Bruce Almighty and Evan Almighty? Morgan Freeman can be my God any day of the week; I adore him in the character!
Yesterday, we swore in President Barack Obama! (Yay!!) Maybe I'm stretching the point but looking for possible connections and themes is a huge part of story-telling. Movies and politics inform the larger story of who we are and who we see ourselves as being as Americans. As a viewer, I trusted myself in Morpheus' hands and took guidance and comfort from Morgan Freeman's God. In real life, I feel that way about Obama.
I think archetypes are cool. I'm just sayin'...
What have you done today to take part in your democracy?
Hint: my daughter's business is in trouble and you could help out by signing this petition to fine tune a bill that threatens many small businesses and toymakers!
2 comments:
Deb, that's true about the Matrix and Star Wars but Morgan Freeman's character could be an example of "The Magical Negro". I think people assign this phrase to too many characters, so I'm really playing Devil's Advocate here.
What have I done to advance democracy today? Nothing. But soon, I'm going to try to start volunteering and that urge was definitely inspired by Obama.
Hey Deb, this is good. I like this and I see your point. Thanks for sharing your observation.
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