Martin Lawrence and Nigeria
2pac
Dear Netters,
Did anyone of you watch the new Martin Lawrence show on FOX,i.e the
one about the Nigerian Prince whom wanted Gina (Martin's wife) for his
concubine. Martin didn't know what a concubine and accepted money for her.
The point of this material, is to show how that episode reflects
the stereotypical view of the Ibo tribe, Nigerians and Africans in general.
First it started with a bunch of Nigerians in a supposedly quiet
restaurant laughing in an uncivilized fashion, which I do not think is
Nigerian like.
Furthermore, I would think as African-Americans they should have as
a sign of respect for their motherland, gathered enough information about
this African Nation(Nigerian) before potraying a false image.
I personally found it very irritating and offensive I would like to
know how other Nigerians who watched the show felt about it.
thanks
yours
seyi
Nnenna Onyewuchi
2pac:
I watched Martin last night with varying degrees of disbelieving amusement
and outright anger. Ever since coming to America, I've endured asinine
questions about Nigeria and Africa. i thought it had ceased to bother me.
It's sad that they couldn't have done at least a little research. The
overblown nature of the characterization I can excuse (Martin is an
outrageous comedy, that's its trademark-see Shaneneh). But if they were
going to pick a real ethnicity, the least they could have done is let the
actors learn to say the phrases in Igbo (what was that gibberish). Plus,
I've never seen anyone in Igboland dance that way (funnily enough, I know
the women who were dancing on the show, they are part of an "African" dance
troupe that operates partially out of UCLA. One of them is actually a
fairly good friend of mine. The instructor teaches various west African
dannces, though none from Nigeria).
It is unfortunate that Americans are so ignorant, but once my initial
irritation passes at things like this my reaction is to take the
opportunity to correct the misimpressions. Both my roommates are American,
and of course they wanted to know "is it really like that? do you guys
still have princes?" So I had to patiently explain the phenomena of
Nigerian (or at least Ibgo) "royalty. So take this as an opportunity to
teach. Shows like Martin just serve to reminfd me how lucky I am to be who
I am. I have a culture and a history that is rich. Not everybody in this
country can say that. I always telll my friends that my phenomenal
arrogance comes from knowing should I die, that I won't be buried in this
country. Ther's a connection, a physical connection to the land of my
birth that most Americans (black or white) can not even begin to fathom.
That connection provides me with the kind of security of identity that most
of my American friends will never have.
So don't be angry at Martin, it's actually kind of sad.
Till later,
Nnenna
Rufus Omeire
How can we get in touch with Martin or the t.V network that provided this
show. Maybe if we can let them know how we feel and take action, then
they'll know in the future that we will take action. This bothers me too
b/c not long ago, Wesley Snipe did a movie (I think it was "Sugar Hill")
in which he potrayed a Nigerian doing drug business. Furthermore, the
Nigerian called him an "Akata" and he goes on to beat up two Nigerians.
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Rufus Omeire rufus....@utmb.edu
University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston
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Ovo I Dafe
Still on this Martin's issue... I did not see
it but from what I have heard from you guys it
seems to me that the guy was really out of line.
However, I thought a netter once said that a
Nigerian writes some of the episodes for Martin.
Have we taken the time out to check out other
possible 'Nigerian accomplices' who may have
contributed to the script ? We must also bear
in mind that whenever they (African-Americans)
try to emulate our traditional ways, they always
come out way off but at the same time we must
give them credit for at least trying to reconnect
with their heritage (positively though).
On the issue of script-writing, I think I need to
write a couple for Martin. It will be titled "An
Encounter with the Nigerian Police". I bet the
show's rating will skyrocket!!! Hen hen he he...
I did watch "Hangin with Mr Cooper" some weeks
ago where they featured an African, they started
on the stereotyping initally but overall they did
a great job. You can say "We" had the last laugh...
Dafe
SOLOMON B. NKWOCHA
I totally agree with Nnenna on this apparent misrepresentation, however,
let's not forget that it is only a play acted to be funny. After all,
the
writer of the show is a Nigerian, an Igbo if I am not mistaken. In this
society, we find ourselves always defending or teaching our culture to
our American friends. Unfortunately, the end of questions and and
explanations are not within sight.
Cheers!!
Solomon