/Film - Latest Comments in No One Wants To Own Up To Racism In Transformers

Re: No One Wants To Own Up To Racism In Transformers

Scottj Black — Sat, 14 May 2011 07:35:32 -0000

why do people find these charicters offensive?Because the truth hurts,most blacks do talk like that and they sound like blittering idiots.If someone secretly recorded a conversasion between 2 blacks in a room and played it back to them,maybe they would realize they are the ones that make the arena for people to make fun of them

Re: No One Wants To Own Up To Racism In Transformers

Goldencheshire — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 17:43:15 -0000

I bet if they didn't make any robots seem remotely black, people would be screaming about how transformers is racist. Damned if we do or we don't.

I'm sure you limp wristed draft dodging grammer nazi's just like complaining.

Re: No One Wants To Own Up To Racism In Transformers

Joel — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 08:17:51 -0000

Seriously, I'm black and I didn't even notice, it is not even racist. People need to let it go and stop complaining. Christ!

Re: No One Wants To Own Up To Racism In Transformers

Insiderhightheory — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 11:22:30 -0000

Sorry I meant if Spike Lee were white he would be crucified for being a racist.

Re: No One Wants To Own Up To Racism In Transformers

Insiderhightheory — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 11:19:42 -0000

You are right on all counts. I thought the characters were entertaining on a certain level and even cool since they were clearly heroic capable and ultimately unbeatable warriors who helped save the day.
BUT clearly they also reiterated racial stereotypes that were negative and connected to racist portrayals of blacks. So their heroism was tainted by this "packaging". I get that. I would have presented these essentially heroic characters a different way. Definitely minus the negative stereotypes.
Obviously it would be offensive and disrespectful to some. Going there is insensitive to say the least.
I think Bay got carried away. He really does seem too have a deep reverence for african american culture and sometimes canonizes even the the negative things he THINKS reflects us. I honestly feel he thinks he was showing blacks love with the twins characters. But it got twisted. He could use some self examination probably. But I'll take BAy over a flat out racist like Spike Lee ANY DAY OF THE WEEK. His portrayal of blacks onscreen has to be some of the worst in HISTORY. If Lee ere black he would be crucified for being a racist. As a black man I can be real enough to see the double standard here that would be frustrating to whites blacks or anyone who is sincere about removing the disease of racism from civilization.

Re: No One Wants To Own Up To Racism In Transformers

Luke. — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 10:41:46 -0000

There's a difference between racism and a racial stereotype. It just depends which paradigm you're viewing it through. When I watched the film, I can remember thinking 'hmm.. that'll start a debate somewhere.' And it seems I was right. The bottom line is that it's clearly offended some people, and since it was a film intended to be viewed my millions of people, perhaps the producer/s should have been a bit more sensitive. Then again, when a film is shown to millions of people, whether it be comedy/ drama/ action, or whatever genre, it's hard not to offend someone somewhere. That's life. Peace.

Re: No One Wants To Own Up To Racism In Transformers

Souljah2yk — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 02:39:22 -0000

Wait...from his judgement, let's judge this guys photo...seriously are you fucking taking pictures blowing bubbles? Really!!! How SWEET of you =)

Re: No One Wants To Own Up To Racism In Transformers

Souljah2yk — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 02:35:33 -0000

I also thought their scene was funny> What's even more crazy is that some white blogger suggest their part as racist while blacks (me) find it funny. Which critic died and allowed this guy to have a twisted view of comedy. Comedians touch base and make fun of everyone. We all laugh at other races when it's funny. Stop trying to put shit where it doesn't belong. I flush your review...JERK from some black guy

Re: No One Wants To Own Up To Racism In Transformers

Dan — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 05:36:35 -0000

the biggest stereotype is the writer of this article. doin' a great job of keepin the 'black people are paranoid and view every form of media thinking "WHERE DA RACISM AT!? WHERE IT AT?!"' stereotype rollin'

Re: No One Wants To Own Up To Racism In Transformers

1EuroAmerican1969 — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:50:26 -0000

Re:MuddFlap,I mean Mud Flap, and the other robot, just dissecting this silly movie to find racism does nothing but fuel the fires of racism, Too many white people have this ridiculous "white Guilt" if you will, that makes them buy into crap like this, and too many blacks waste their time looking,with a "Microscope " for any potential racial undertones,or stereo types,which does nothing but keep another generation of blacks,blaming white people for any lack of success they may experience in their life,,Actually I know,and no one can tell me different,Blacks are more racist than whites,and this petty pissing and moaning over some robots in some movie,that are actually just acting out a big part of POP culture,,One more thing, if the robots talked like Colin Powell,not the best analogy,but say they were black and this understood,would you say he was an uncle Tom,,or the most moronic phrase,,,the robots not" "Keeping it real" I am white, and Im no racist,,just keeping it real,,,,we will never have harmony until the positives are acknowledged,,peace

Re: No One Wants To Own Up To Racism In Transformers

Jeremy — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 18:53:17 -0000

well i agree i was like why is that in this movie.. also have you noticed how many hidden adds were in these two movies? well the first one was packed but still the second one had lots too, also these movies to me dont do transformers justice at all, their dialogue isn't as quite as unique as the anime, and they look like walking toasters pulled inside out, they should have given the bots better frames and full casings, also because the way they made the bots look its sometimes to hard to tell them apart when they are in battle

Re: No One Wants To Own Up To Racism In Transformers

victor — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:51:58 -0000

Lol. That's peace bro. Thanks

Re: No One Wants To Own Up To Racism In Transformers

Michael — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:48:29 -0000

Haha thank you. But Im sure there are a few others out there who want to make a positive change too. You should give yourself credit, when you could of jumped down the throats of others, you stayed calm and addressed each issue or reason for/against this discussion and put your own views across. So I think the award should go to you to be honest!

Re: No One Wants To Own Up To Racism In Transformers

victor — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:21:36 -0000

Wow. I will keep this short.
Don't take this the wrong way...
You are a brother with class for real.
Thanks for sharing that.
You make it clear that it all boils down to mutual respect of each other in every context personal, professinal historical etc.
And the award for best voice of humanity and reason for this thread goes to...
Michael.
Come on people give the man a round of applause!

Re: No One Wants To Own Up To Racism In Transformers

Michael — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:36:39 -0000

To Victor, I'm glad to see somebody is very deep on this forum and thinks for both sides as well. I apologise to anyone now who is also like this, but to be honest I read the first few pages and last page as there is a lot to go through. I find people will jump at a statement and always try to blame somebody else in general, not in terms of racism but everything. But that person never tries to understand why the other society or group of people were offended in the first place. In general though, I think a lot of White people have a lot to make up to. We state that slavery was in the past, yet the hatred for the Black society, and Asian society is still strong for no apparent reason. Many people think "we have come out of the slavery stage so everything is fine and we can all get on" but they don't think how deep it can really be. Whilst I have never studied psychology, I still see many people acting negatively towards many sorts of societies, whether they are aware of it or not. And I am sad to say, but I feel personally Britain is one of the worst offenders, and I am getting on the verge of being ashamed to be British. Its not a case of being upfront with racism but a lot of it is subtle. The snide remarks behind close doors, the jokes at somebody's else's expense, even whether you look a Black person or Asian person in the eye at a shop. There I think are two groups of people who get lumped in the racist group. One is the sort who doesn't like any one of another ethnic origin to them selves, and your general stereotypical racist. The others are the people who have nothing against the anybody else but believe rules and regulations have gone too far. What I mean by this is here in England a few years ago I remember on the news, the police forced announced there was a quota for how many Black and Asian people they wanted in the force to make it more multi-cultured, which on paper seemed a great idea. At the time I was thinking "well hang on, the police are there to protect us, so surely get somebody who does that. No matter what their race is as long as they protected us surely thats alright? If at the time there were more Asian people in the force I wouldn't care. If there were more Black people then I wouldn't care. Just as long as they can protect us." I fear a lot of people want to think like this, but miss out the small details or knock on effects and take everything as face value. These days I do want a multi cultured police force as it would cut down on the discrimination hopefully. By having one race almost protecting us, they will no doubt protect mainly others with in their race, hence why more Black people are arrested.
Many people on this board, including myself thought the film was just a film but hopefully after reading a few comments, they are able to understand what a few "simple" actions can have a negative effect on one society. I certainly do and thank you victor as well as others as you put up an informed discussion. It wasn't blaming anyone or taking offence, it was helping me see through the eyes more deeply of another society.

Re: No One Wants To Own Up To Racism In Transformers

victor — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 08:33:17 -0000

Wow you eneded up being pretty dep. Truth is why shouldn't a white actor be able to play a "black" character without it being a definitive statement about the identity of the entire black race? Dwayne Johnson (aka the rock) just played a goofy affable white guy in Planet 51 and Vin Diesel played a stereotypical Italian Mobster in Find Me guilty. Lets not forgetabout eddie Murphy's endless portrayals in whiteface making fun of different white stereotypes. No uproar or even remote scrutiny in any of these cases. Of course it is a double standard and it is unfair/fair.
The double stndad comes from two reasons. The fair reason is that for MANY years whites have had a history of using media to misportray people of other ethnicities so even in light of the civil right movement people are still fearful that portrayals of other races by white folks have have a hidden or overt racist connotation/agenda. Even when no agenda exists. So sometimes an innocent white person is scrutinized as being a possible racist when they are not and the burden of proof is on the white person. I say this is fair becuase the other option is to trade places with a black person. TRUST ME you would rather have to worry about proving your unracist innocence to an anonymous poster on a message board because you are white than trying to prove your uncriminal innocence to a judge in a court because you are black. I would trade being called a racist all day over getting arrested by cops for EVERY AND ANY possible reason and doing time as a rite of passage. Plus in case anyone has been reading this thread black folks who even suggest a white racism may exist are mercilessley and visciously slammed as being 'white-hating" racists. So in this case I say the double standard is aform of balance for the historical and current racist burdens black folks endure as a result of racist agendas.
BUT here is why this double standard can be unfair to white people.
A white person inheriting a burden from racism that they are not responsible for but their community at large is responsible for is admittedly effed up but for the aforementioned reasons a bit fair in terms of balanced suffering.
But what about a white person being held accountable for racism that does not originate in nor is largely perpeptuated by their community. What about when the black community CREATS the stereotypes against themselves and perpetuates it? Michael you were a gentleman and gave the blame to the white community for the negative stereotype that Skids and Mudflap potentially represent. That is appreciated and very humanist. Unfortunately though for every negative black stereotype white folks make about black folks the black community makes 12 (at least nowadays).
I'm not saying this lets the white community off the hook for intentionally or unintentioall perpetuating a racist stereotype about black folks. I am am saying that A LOT of black folks need to check themselves in ADDITION to checking ANYONE else or be quiet. white people are well within their rights to call out black folks for any racism blacks perpetuate against others and THEMSELVES.

Re: No One Wants To Own Up To Racism In Transformers

Michael — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 02:52:51 -0000

I was thinking more to what you said last night and you are completely right. I guess in some ways a white person gets away with it by saying "I'm playing a character" but if it was a black person, then others may assume its part of their identity.
I was also thinking that the stereotype given to Mudflap and Skids is a negative stereotype created by white community and given to the black community, which is obviously very insulting. The English stereo type is created by white people too but for the white English person as well so it appears less offensive, and one we could laugh about. We feel we can shake it off because we made it up. But some of us appear to think this stereo type of Mudflap and Skids is what all black people, or majority are like.

Re: No One Wants To Own Up To Racism In Transformers

victor — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:25:31 -0000

Who said its okay to call a white person by racist slurs? Of course that's effed up! But that's my point exactly. The same way it is wrong for someone to tell you to not be offended by racists comments against you it is equally wrong for YOU to tell a black person to not be offended by or question what they percieve as racism against them. Why can't you understand that?
For the record you ARE NOT the only person saying "its just a movie grow up" In fact about 90% of the posts on this thread are saying that. Honestly dude what board are you reading?
Obviously you have friends of all ethnicities. Obviously you all huddle together complaining about people who complain (???). Look if its "just a movie" why can't you also say "its just a message board". But you can't. You are compelled to comment and complain and try to persuade people and make a point. JUST LIKE THE PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE MOVIE.
If you want to silence people fine. But start by stopping being a hypocrite and SILENCE YOURSELF FIRST.
Prove you have the courage of your convictions by not replying to this and GO AWAY.

Re: No One Wants To Own Up To Racism In Transformers

NoMoreTears — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:03:36 -0000

Why is it that it's ok to call a white person a "honky," "cracker," "trailer trash," or any other racist comments, but for a fictitious character to portray as having a TRAIT of an ethnic people is vulgar and offensive? Here's a tip. Anyone who has watched the first movie, understands how they learned human languages...via the internet. If you watch videos on the web of how black people act, what's the typical result? Just like Skidz and Mudflap talk. Like I said, don't like the movie's portrayal? Complain to your kind (or their kind, whichever side of the fence you're on) to stop acting that way. You call me a racist sheep. Funny, because I'm the ONLY ONE disagreeing with everyone on here about it and telling everyone to grow up, that it's a movie. Well, if by pointing out that the only racist people are the ones who see racist comments is, indeed, by your standards, itself racist, then call me the KKK. And for the record, yes, I'm white, yes I have friends of all ethnicities. Would they still be my friends if they acted like monkeys and called everything racist? You bet not. I'm intolerant of blind racism like this. Go cry to yourself.

Re: No One Wants To Own Up To Racism In Transformers

victor — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:33:40 -0000

I agree almost totally. My one exception is that while there is cultural overlap there is also cultural specifity. The "twins" were played by two white actors actually so your point is true. BUT they were white actors playing "black"robots". As strange as it sounds...there is no such thing as a raceless character even if the character is a robot.

Re: No One Wants To Own Up To Racism In Transformers

victor — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:22:33 -0000

Not true at all. The asian commu ity was in an uproar over the racist portrayals of asians in the movies Speed Racer Street Fighter the Legend of Chun Li Dragon Ball Evolution and most the Air Bender movie. The main complaint is that ALL of the leads in these films were miscast as WHITE people and not as Asian people as is their true ethnicity.
Also I have a lot of asian, jewis,white east indian and arab friends. They ALL complain when they are disrespected by the media and in films. Your blanket statement about blacks being the only community that "complains" is a racist one. Obviously you roll with a passive apathetic crowd of sheep that are too souless to demand respect from others. DO NOT lump all of humanity into your apathetic herd . Peoples of all races have proud histories of defying and rejecting the racism that EXISTS. Racists like you are proof of that.
Again I do not think the "twins"were essentially racist. But YOU DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO deny a person of any race their right to question the possible existence of racism and express dissent as an assertion of self-respect and sel defense.
Stop telling people what the should and shuoldn't take offense by. You sound like a racist moron and make cool non-racist white folks (who are the majority) look bad.

Re: No One Wants To Own Up To Racism In Transformers

NoMoreTears — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:00:16 -0000

Anyone ever notice that the ONLY people who complain about anything being racist are black people? You never hear about asian people complaining "They portrayed us as ninjas in a movie who were good at math!" You don't hear about white people complaining "There weren't any white people in the movie about Compton! They purposely left whites out, that's racist yo!" Why? Because we don't care. Only racist people LOOK for racist comments in movies. Especially in a movie about a RACE of biomechanical organisms. That's pretty sad. But, if that means you won't go see it, great. More seating room for me!

Re: No One Wants To Own Up To Racism In Transformers

Michael — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:34:31 -0000

Whilst I can understand partly why people think its racist, surely that's down to the person who thinks it? Why did they assume the had to represent a "Black" person? Nobody appeared to say anything about Jazz who could be classified as a stereotype.
Deep Roy plays as one of the guards, and Wheelie uses the term Midget, and says "say he is tall". I don't see any complaints by people about that?
I'm English and Jetfire appears to be English, loud, rude, old, grumpy, farts. Not our greatest of treats! But I don't care. I thought it was hilarious. I think some people are trying to pick fights.
And in reference to the not being able to read bit, a lot of the transformers didn't know what the symbols meant, such as Wheelie. It just shows Skids and Mudflap are a newer generation of transformers and emphasises Cybertronian is a lost language and that Transformers have been around for many many thousands of years.
Some if few Black people talk like that. Like wise, White people talk like that. Asian people talk like that. Every community will have some members who talk like them.

Re: No One Wants To Own Up To Racism In Transformers

Michael — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:28:13 -0000

Whilst I can understand partly why people think its racist, surely that's down to the person who thinks it? Why did they assume the had to represent a "Black" person? Nobody appeared to say anything about Jazz who could be classified as a stereotype. But I guess because he appears awesome and everyone loves him, nobody makes a big thing?
Deep Roy plays as one of the guards, and Wheelie uses the term Midget, and says "say he is tall". I don't see any complaints by people about that?
I'm English and Jetfire appears to be English, loud, rude, old, grumpy, farts. Not our greatest of treats! But I don't care. I thought it was hilarious. I think some people are trying to pick fights.
And in reference to the not being able to read bit, a lot of the transformers didn't know what the symbols meant, such as Wheelie. It just shows Skids and Mudflap are a newer generation of transformers and Cybertronian is a lost language.
I maybe wrong and as I am not Black, maybe I missed a point of it, and in that case, I take everything back. But it seems some people are trying to start a fight when there isn't one.

Re: No One Wants To Own Up To Racism In Transformers

victor — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:42:46 -0000

"If any thing the two robots wernt black enough they needed some fried chicken & a white girl robot on there jock!!"

That's mad funny kid! Damn you joked brothers and gave brothers props at the same time.
Mad funny.
Seriously though Skids and Mudflap were hard on the eyes and ears but were ultimately heroic and supremely unbeatable warriors...who were black (like I feel optimus and iron hide were portrayed as black as well). I wish more black characters were portrayed like this...as winners.
Spike Lee portrays black men as weak inept powerless victims who ALWAYS lose in like 95% of his films yet NO ONE ever calls him out for being racist. WTF?