We, the undersigned, are opposed to the idea of R&B singer/actress Beyonce Knowles playing the role of Angela Davis in any biographical film portraying Dr. Davis’ life. On February 5 2009, the online version of Hollywood Reporter (an esteemed print publication that follows the film business) quoted French/Angolan producer/director Rachid Bouchareb as considering Beyonce Knowles for the lead role in his planned Angela Davis biographical film. We believe this is a mistake that Rachid Bouchareb must reconsider and avoid. Dr. Davis is an iconic figure in the struggle for equality for all and against the forces of oppression that would exploit divisiveness for profit and control. We would like a serious actress with significant training in the art of acting to portray this powerful role and we feel Beyonce lacks the gravitas to successfully portray Dr. Davis. Further, we feel the music of Ms. Knowles is in large part not in line with the feminist tradition of Dr. Davis’ life and work (with due acknowledgement of elements of Ms. Knowles’ work that arguably attempt to empower women and challenge patriarchy, where some may debate that such themes are present).
Of equal importance, we feel there are many talented but “undiscovered” black actresses who would do a wonderful job in this role who deserve an opportunity to showcase their talent in such a historic film, should we all be blessed to see this story brought to the screen.
Sincerely,
Click here to go to the petition and sign it (requires name and email address. You can keep the email address private).
I found out about this petition from the Invisible Woman.
So Beyonce is the new halle berry, ie the default “black actress du jour” who will handle all the black female roles in most mainstream roles even though there are several other black actresses out there…. (sigh)
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For years I’ve believed that Beyonce would surprise us with a showing of strong acting chopes, but time and again she has reaffirmed that she has no depth or gravitas. No way can she carry Angela Davis. Maybe Thandi Newton, or Viola Davis, or even Aisha Tyler, anybody but Beyonce.
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lol @ lifeisannoying
I’m afriad so. Beyonce has been used as the posterchild for all black women and that means that she will be asked to most of the times to portray most influntial black women like Miss Davis herself. You know when it comes to Black folks you have to prove yourself that you can sell before they take a chance on you. I think Beyonce is okay as an artist never really got why she was popular in the first place, however, if these french producers were going to choose a black woman that can sell a movie just by her popularity, I probably would’ve been okay with Alicia Keys. However, even Alicia is just average herself as an actress.
Now you know Abagnod such songs as “soldier” does not challenge the patriarchy westernize society, but rather perpetuates a stereotype of black women seeking thugs lol.
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@Blanc2
Yeah I saw “Cadillac Records” and still she didn’t move me nor did she make me believe that she was Etta James. I tell you what she did capture more emotion on screen than she ever done, however, I can’t say she is an actress and she is not going to fuck it up playing Angela Davis or else it would be some problems.
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Beyonce as Angela Davis, you gotta be kidding me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Beyonce as Angela Davis would be a complete travesty. She could not even do Etta James! There are plenty of black actresses who are way better than her.
Yes, “Soldier” was not exactly a blow against the patriarchy.
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I’m sure you guys where I stand with this one. LOL.
Seeing Knowles as Etta James was a car wreck, perhaps that’s why she was barely in the movie. Ditto with “Dreamgirls”.
Is it me or do you guys think that Faith Evans or maybe even Countess Vaughn could have played a better Etta? I think that those two are more aligned with her both physically and vocally.
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I say Faith Evans because she has the voice and the personality in playing Etta James. I say Alicia Keys should play Angela Davis. What say you?
La Reyna
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Abagond, im 17 yrs old. And I think Beyonce will be just fine playing this woman. Give her a chance, we should be supporting black women not creating petitions agianst them. This is ridiculous.
People are discrediting her perfomance as etta james saying she didn’t do well when she did, and alicia keys, faith evans or countess vaughn cannot touch her vocally. No I haven’t heard Countess Vaugn or Faith evans live, but watching moesha, and hearing countess sing, and personally owning one of faith evans’ cds, nope they couldn’t of played etta james with there voices. I have heard both Alicia Keys and Beyonce Knowles live, while I was dissappointed when I heard Alicia, Beyonce blew me away, she was fine as etta james. So stop hating
As for Beyonce playing Angela Davis, I don’t mind, and black women should be supporting each other, not tearing each other apart, im not signing any stupid petition. Why are we clawing at black women when we should be uplifting them, encouraging them and supporting them. I will support Beyonce with everything she does.
I didn’t like that they choose Jennifer Hudson to play Rosaline for The Secret Life of Bees, I thought she did a terrible job, but im not going to create petitions, or protest agianst her, because she ruined one of my favorite books. You know why? Because she is a black woman and she doesn’t smoke or drink or steal or party, she is good rolemodel, and Im going to be behind her with everything she does.
Abagond I thought your blog was better than this I am very disappointed that you would post this type of thing, even I know that It is childish.
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I agree with “not a hater”. If you want different black women to be featured that is one thing, but to tear down one in false hopes of building up another is everything that “not a hater” said.
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My fear is that Beyonce would not do a believable Angela Davis and then not many people would see the film. I think the story of Angela Davis is more important than Beyonce. I am sure that there are unknown actresses who would do much better.
Alicia Keys would be a good choice if her acting was up to it, but from what I heard she did not do well in “The Secret Life of Bees”.
Thandie Newton could do it. Angela Bassett could nail it.
Erykah Badu, if her acting is up to it, would be best. She could out-Angela-Davis Angela Davis.
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i agree with not a hater. why are we up here talking about beyonce when we can’t even give her a chance? i think it’s bullshit that someone would make a petition about her not playing angela davis. i’ve said this before, i’m not the biggest fan of hers but i think she can do it. like not a hater said, shouldn’t we supporting our black actresses or singers instead of putting them down. she got talent and can sing way better then some female artists that’s out. it seems to me that when someone post something about beyonce someone always have something negative to say and whoever came up with the petition is dumb as hell in my opinion. beyonce ain’t hurting nobody so why are we mad about it? i say she should try it. maybe she could do a good job and better than most of the roles she’s done.
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I like Beyonce but for her to play Angela Davis is simply out of her depth. I think Beyonce needs another 10-15 years to ever reach that kind of high calibre.
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Badu would make an excellent Davis. Yet, outside of “The House of D”, I’ve haven’t seen enough of her acting to really critique it. How was she was in “The Cider House Rules”?
I agree with Aba, no one cares about Beyonce. What we care about is the handling of the legacy and representation of an icon like Miss Davis.
Lil’vinia, for someone who once complained about Knowles, specifically, and how you feel women like her get overappreciated in Hollywood because of their appearance, you sure seemed like a big booster for her and other women you once complained about. What’s that about? It just seems like a contradiction. Maybe, I’m wrong.
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I like her as a SINGER. They are giving her all these parts and her craft is not acting. Its like they are pushing her to to all these movies so she can get an Oscar. She is a great per. but not a good actress. Badu would be the best fit
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well mynameismyname, i’ve said this before that i’m not a big fan of hers but i don’t see why people talk so much trash about her when she really hasn’t done anything to nobody. she’s not the best actress but she’s still learning. i’m not complaining about her, i just feel that there are some that want to hate on her. i speak about the women in hollywood that’s only appreciate by looks instead of their talents, especially when it comes to body types. that’s where i come from.
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I love Beyonce, but I do not see her as a good fit for this role. I think she was chosen because of name recognition. Just my $.01.
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To ‘not a hater’ and others who support the possibility of Beyonce taking on the role of Dr. angela Davis:
@ not a hater: You stated that you are 17, so you were not even born when many of us were actually living and experiencing that turbulent time in America’s history.
Many of us marched, protested, joined organizations, fought, (many lost their lives)against a one-sided establishment that neither understood nor supported the movement for positive changes to rectify the plight of Black America and other minorities.
Sister Davis was a young radical in the midst of such movements. Not only did she leave a legacy for that time, but she continues to do so. Dr. Davis is a magna cum laud graduate who has been associated with several prestigious universities.
I doubt seriously that Beyonce’ who by the way, has difficulty remaining in character, is capable of carrying a role of such caliber.
There are many of us **who were there** and would love to see the life of Dr. Davis portrayed on film…Just not by Beyonce Knowles.
No one is ‘hating’ on Ms. Knowles. She’s a good stage performer, but a very bad actress. She cannot even manage to lose her Texas drawl in movies.
There are talented, trained, seasoned black actresses who would give their right arm to obtain such a role, and would do Dr. Davis’ legacy great justice.
Seriously, who believes that Dr. Davis would agree to Beyonce portraying her?
Beyonce has already snagged the role of Eartha Kitt. Must she take on the biopic roles of every beloved black entertainer and Icon?
Has Hollywood lost it sanity for the love of placing a$$es in theater seats in order to break the box office?
Cinema is rapidly losing its reputation of being an art.
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I don’t want Beyonce playing Angela Davis or Eartha Kitt. Beyonce is NOT an actress.
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yall are crazy i believe she can do it you should never have doubts in anyone cause you wouldnt like it if it were you!
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Beyonce is a made for televison after school cameo appearance actress. Do not give her anything too deep. Keep her in cutesy roles where she can lift up her skirt and bump n grind. She can also be someone`s love interest, but not a militant soul sister who would risk her life for the cause. Beyonce please stick to what works for you before you lose more fans and credibility.
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mmmh,
I agree wholeheartedly.
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Angela Davis is a crazy Commie who killed 4 people. She belongs in Jail, not on TV.
I like my TV to just have 80s Rock and Metal and a little from the 70s too.
I have no desire to hear techno or raping or breakdancing. Turn that junk off…
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