Reel Images Magazine

I was asked by a friend the other day what my thoughts were on the concept of “The Token Black Guy” in movies in this day and age. Instead of the flippant answer I usually give to such questions, I stopped and thought about this one for a second.

Do they still do that in movies?

The answer is pretty obviously yes. Take the film “Skyline” for example. That cat from the show “Scrubs” plays an almost stereotypical young black (more…)

Race relations in film have come a long way. It’s been a long time, thankfully, that we’ve seen the African American appear in film as only a slave or simple minded helper or dancing fool.

Films have evolved and so has the role of the African American in American life and film. More and more over the years since the 60′s has the African American taken more important roles in film. Sidney Poitier portraying a detective in “The Heat of the Night” demanding respect comes to mind. Also, comes (more…)