Tyler Perry and Christianity

Tyler Perry and Christianity 

By Terryn Kelly

Mixing Christianity along with the big screen is nothing new for movie goers. Currently, one producer seems to be monopolizing on the genre in a big way.

            Tyler Perry first burst onto the Hollywood scene February 2005, with his comically refreshing play turned movie Diary of a Mad Black Woman. Although the movies are based around African-American characters, they have been well received by Christians of different backgrounds and races.

            Many people support Perry in his efforts to employ black actors since they are lacking on the big screen, but also because he provides the audience with a deeper look into the African-American culture. Various people can relate to his Madea character, especially if they were raised in the South by a grandmother.

            Lisa Jones does like the character for many reasons.

            She said, “I’m from the South, so when I saw Madea Goes to Jail, I immediately thought of my grandma. The southern accent and quick temper definitely reminded me of her. I think that it is cool Tyler has created this universal character that a majority of us (African-Americans) actually have in our family.”

            Not all people are smitten with Perry and his line of movies and three television shows, especially if Madea is the main focus. She requires Perry to dress as a woman in full make up, a wig and padding. Some say that is not of God to support a man who is dressed in drag. This has also led to rumors of Perry possibly being homosexual. Others complain that he is stereotyping his own race. They are upset about the images seen on screen, and are worried if this is how other nationalities will perceive all black people to be.

            Brittany Wilson favors his movies that are more serious.

            “Some of his plays and movies are actually really good, like The Family that Preys. I really enjoyed that movie because he had a valid message throughout the movie without using that god- awful Madea. No man should be dressed as a woman, and I refuse to support the plays or movies when he is dressed up like her,” she said.

            Wilson can understand why Perry writes the script the way he does, but she thinks he could do a better job.

            “We are all not like the characters in his movies. We all aren’t loud angry or crazy all the time. This is only a slice of what our culture is like, and I wish he would show that black people can be very diverse,” she said.

            All his movies are amusing and relatable. It is nice to see someone who used to live on the street turn into a millionaire because we chose to buy his movies and go see his plays. I look forward to seeing his new movie The Marriage Counselor even though some are already planning to boycott the movie because it will feature Kim Kardashian.