I Owe Tyler Perry An Apology

I, like most “good Black theatre folks”, have been critical of Tyler Perry’s work. It’s almost like we are trained that in order to be seen as legitimate Black artists we must denounce Tyler Perry and all of his contemporary urban theatre and film colleagues. And I did. I did it vehemently, espousing Perry for his use of stereotypes, religious dogma and, worst of all, “cooning”. But I was wrong. And I owe him an apology. 

In the last few days there has been a petition circulating on behalf of BIPOC theater artists telling “white American Theatre” to do better. I signed it because I agree with what is said. But if I am honest I don’t actually expect it to do anything. If I am honest, I expect that this will increase white tears and Black opportunities for maybe 3 seasons, maybe, before white theatres go back to business as usual. To be honest, I am tired of trying to convince white theatre that my life and my art matters.

And regardless of my disagreement with some of Tyler Perry’s artistic choices, I never felt like he hated Black people. Is there critique to be made about his characterization of Black women? Yes. Should he be challenged on the ways he uses LGBTQ+ characters? Absolutely. And we can do that. But I have never felt actively hated by Tyler Perry in the ways that I have felt despised, ignored and invisibilized in white theatre and arts institutions. Tyler Perry has  been creating work for Black people that mainstream (read white) media has considered worthless, predominately older Black women. He has been centering my grandma and my aunties in his work when no one else was, including me.

So why then would I continue to beg and plead with white institutions to give space to me and my stories when they do not honor and respect the people I make work for or about? Why would I invest my emotional, spiritual and artistic resources with those that can not, will not and do not invest in my living and thriving? Why would I forgive them for centuries of artistic malpractice and not offer grace and a loving challenge to Tyler Perry? 

Tyler Perry, I apologize for seeing you through the white gaze and not recognizing the model you are creating. Thank you for centering those of us that we forgot in our striving for “success” that turned out to be mediocre white praise. Thank you for casting and uplifting those of us that whiteness wants us to ignore and forget.  I am committed to creating Black art that centers Black people and divesting my dreams from white institutions and accolades. We have work to do and love requires that I challenge your representations of Black women and LGBTQ folks, but I am committed to doing that work with you if you will do it with me.

Black and artsy as eva,

Monet Noelle Marshall