In honor of Sandra Bullock’s tour de force, The Blind Side, making it to #2 at the box office this weekend (second only to vampire/werewolf mega sensation New Moon) The Oreo Experience is pleased to release some as yet unheard material from pre production.
While this song (recorded with white [natch] singer/songwriter Athena) unfortunately did not make it into the final soundtrack, I think it does a great job at showing why this movie is so important to an Oreo. Without movies like these showing us how RBP just can’t cut it on their own, they remind us why we fight so hard to be anything but an RBP.
Please enjoy.
Can’t get enough of this thematic material? I know I sure can’t! Gotta keep the Oreo fires burning with something. For more material that will remind you that RBP just can’t do it on their own and make you love to hate every drop of melanin you were born with, check out not only The Blind Side, but also, Dangerous Minds, Freedom Writers, O, Hardball, Up the Down Staircase, Step Up, Bring it On, Step Up 2: The Streets, Finding Forrester, Precious-Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire, Fighting the Odds: The Marilyn Gambrell Story, Hancock, Wildcats, The Gridiron Gang, Friday Night Lights, and Transformers 2-because even on a near-apocalypitc, robotic future, the black robots are the only ones who can’t read. Thanks, ruling class, we clearly, really owe you!
As a creative professional, there are certain hazards that come with the job. Income droughts, being compared to characters in RENT (dangerous for an Oreo since half the cast is black) and failing powerful executives.
This is a short story about the latter.
I won’t go through the cat and mouse game of trying to make you guess at which studio this occurred, but if any information squeaks out, you didn’t hear it from this OreoWriter.
I remember it like it was yesterday. I showed up to work in my smart pencil skirt, boots, cardigan and scarf belt and was immediately whisked off to a meeting. In attendance were the other writers on the show, my boss, and a couple of VPs.
I was a little worried because there was another of color in the room. I didn’t know him well enough to suss out his tendencies, so I kept my distance and sat on the other side of the table.
Apparently, I didn’t sit far away enough.
At this particular studio, there is a fellowship program though which many, but not all writers of color join the company. I of course, did not do the program–imagine, sitting in a room with nothing but people who looked liked me? We might be all kinds of tempted to discuss shared experiences or issues pertinent to those experience, thus depleting scores of O-points and becoming RBPs in the process.
I was referred to this position by a contact and after a quick interview, was hired.
The VP looked at me. His first words.
VP: Oh, did you do our fellowship program?
OW: No, I didn’t.
VP: No, no, our fellowship program, did you do it earlier?
OW: No.
VP: I don’t mean are you doing it now, I mean did you do it before?
OW: No. I didn’t.
VP: You didn’t do our fellowship program?
OW: No.
Quiet for a beat.
VP: Then how did you get this job?
Naturally, I was upset.
I knew that I should have added the Blair Waldorf headband to the outfit. Clearly I confused this executive. As he (and Sandra Bullock, et al) rightly pointed out, RBP need the kind and benevolent hands of the fairer folk to get jobs or join football teams.
Which is why I work so hard to not be an RBP. I was five sixths of the way there that day. But I didn’t make it. And thus, this poor exec was confused as to how I got there in the first place. Without the full and proper costuming, how was he to know who I really was?
His confusion, understandable. My oreofail, unacceptable.
Any speech given by an Oreo that includes subjects such as kayaking, Flemmish, cat shows or graduate degrees. Basically, any set of spoken words that describes events, happenings or habits that an RBP would have little to no knowledge of.
Every once in a while, I have the chance to talk with people who really remind me why I’m fighting so hard for my Oreodom. I stumbled across my latest interview quite by accident.
I was researching famous black actor Steppin Fetchit. Mr. Fetchit changed the course of life for African Americans everywhere by condoning what ruling class performers were already doing in minstrel shows by becoming a minstrel who came already blackfaced. Instead of presenting himself as an intelligent, upwardly mobile human, he presented himself as a shuffling, idiotic, infantile man. And in so doing, became the first African American millionaire.
His legacy forever altered the way of colors were seen on TV.
Naturally, this is the kind of material a good Oreo should watch over and over again just to keep the self loathing fresh and on hand.
When I googled “step n fetch”–the term that was ultimately derived from his name to describe a certain type of behavior and persona, I found a variety of businesses who use the name.
The first one I was able to contact was Step N Fetch Um Grocery in a small town in Oklahoma.
Because it’s rare to find a business who so blatantly reminds its customer base what the average Oreo is fighting against, I knew I had to speak to the owner to thank him for justifying my fight. Below is the transcript of some of the highlights of the conversation.
OW: …I actually found your business because I was looking for some information on the actor Stepin Fetchit. Do you know that is?
Dale: Mmm, no. I never…I heard about it, but I don’t know–
OW: –Who he is?
Dale: Ahh, I don’t know any details on it. I just…Somebody has–they’ve asked several times and I tell them “I don’t know.”
OW: Oh really? People have asked about it before? What do they say?
Dale: They just asked me if I come up with that name, I say “no.”
Dale then explained to me that the name was actually created by his business partner who unfortunately passed away quite some time ago. Dale bought the business from his partner’s wife and kept the store and the namesake.
OW: Have you ever looked up who Stepin Fetchit is?
Dale: Mmm, no. In fact, though, last year, one of the school kids, I guess they were studying something in school and they asked me about it.
OW: You guys should look up the actor sometime, though, he’s really interesting. He was a black actor in the first part of last century, which was really groundbreaking at the time. But he kind of created the sort of character that a lot of black characters are in movies today. He was kinda dumb and very much like “yes, missa, lemme do that fo’ ya missa,” like evoked that kind of persona. Which, I don’t know. I’ve heard that some people get offended by that. Have you heard that?
Dale: Yeah. I’ve heard some of it. It’s kinda like …and I don’t know if you remember this or not, but do you remember Sidney Poitier, he played with–he was the first black cowboy I’d ever seen.
OW: What was he like?
Dale: He was great. He was a real good actor.
OW: Sidney Poiter was an amazing actor. Did he play the same kind of character that Stepin Fetchit did? Like the kind of dumb guy?
Dale: No, he played one of the main characters.
OW: That’s great. Good thing you didn’t name your business after Sidney. That would have been an awkward homage.
We talked movies for a bit, before returning to the topic at hand.
Dale: It’s interesting that people bring this up every once in a while. Evidentially, it must be back in the history books.
OW: Are they upset or bothered?
Dale: No, they just ask about it and I tell them my partner made it up.
OW: Was your partner black by any chance?
Dale: No. He was from down eastern Oklahoma.
OW: When people ask about the business name, are they upset or concerned or do they like it?
Dale: I had one lady who said “Well, that’s kinda offensive.” I said “Well, I dunno. Not that I know of.”
OW: She asked if you thought it was offensive and you said you didn’t know.
Dale: Yeah, it was somebody from out of town. It wasn’t nobody–
OW: Oh, she wasn’t from your town?
Dale: No. Huh-uh.
OW: Was she black?
Dale: Uh, she was part. But she was asking me about this and I said “I don’t know!”
OW: Well, I mean, why would you konw. And why would you go look it up? That’s a lot of time to take.
Dale: Well, a lot of people get curious on stuff like that. I’m not a great big history buff. It doesn’t concern what we’re going through. If it doesn’t affect us now, I don’t really worry about it. That was 40 or 50 years ago.
OW: Yeah, stuff that happened 40 or 50 years ago does not affect what’s going on today.
Dale: It’s like my ancestors. They came over here from Switzerland.
OW: I love skiing. Do you get to go skiing very much?
Dale: My granddad used to talk about fighting over horse biscuits in the street.
OW: Horse biscuits?
Dale: Horse poop.
OW: Oh! Those kinds of horse biscuits.
Dale: They had to use it for burning over there. I thought that was kind of hard to believe, but like this other stuff, it doesn’t have anything to do with what’s going on today.
OW: That does sound like the same issue as Stepin Fetchit’s dubious legacy.
Dale: Yeah, because we don’t have to put up with it.
OW: Yeah, don’t have to put up with fighting for fuel in the streets. Don’t have to put up with terrible images of black people in movies. It’s all better.
Dale: Yes.
Dale went on to tell me how he grew up mostly around Native Americans. He even had a black friend in high school.
OW: So, because you grew up around so many minorities, do you feel a connection to the cultures?
Dale: Oh yes! They had the same problems that we did.
OW: Exactly the same problems.
Now, I understood. That connection that he so proudly proclaimed clearly explained why he didn’t waste any time figuring out if the name of his business was offensive or at the very least, outdated.
OW: Now, are there very many people of color in your town?
Dale: I’ve got one sitting right here.
OW: Well, congratulations.
Dale: Do you want to talk to him?
And that’s when the conversation became terrifying. Not just because I was chatting with another of color–if any other Oreos would have seen me, I’d be chastised for sure, but because of what he told me mere second into the conversation.
OW: I’m a little intrigued by the grocery store Step N Fetch Um. Are you a regular here?
RBP: Oh yes.
OW: Do you like the name?
RBP: Yeah! Ain’t nothing wrong with this name. We still have to step and fetch it!
Well, technically not since 1865, but who’s counting?
OW: Do you know the actor Stepin Fetchit?
RBP: I know all that, but if you leave the name alone, it’ll be okay.
OW: Did you like his work? Did you think he was funny?
RBP: Yeah, he was funny.
OW: So you’ve seen very many of his movies.
RBP: I’ve seen practially all of them.
So I guess Tyler Perry is on to something, after all.
OW: Well, thank you. I am off to go shine some shoes and serve some lunch, I will talk to you guys later.
RBP: Okay, bye.
Please enjoy the following clip of Stepin in action. (Just in case it’s not clear, Step is the lazy man in bed who can’t get up, is fascinated by the telephone, can barely get his words out, and happily admits to being 11 months behind on rent)
RBP – Acronym that stands for “regular black person/people,” as in the other of colors that Oreos must limit contact with. While RBP may be fine on their own, en masse, they send the wrong idea to the world about the company we keep.
Whoreo (hoar-ee-oh) – The Oreo who, like a desperate intern or struggling actress, tries to sleep his or her way to the top of the Oreo chain by simply seducing the fairer folks. When whoreoing doesn’t work, it’s time to find a Plan B.
You remember this camp/drinking game favorite: Two Truths and a Lie. The speaker makes three statements. Two of them are true, one of them is not. Your goal is to pick out the white lie.
Play along and let’s see how you do.
1.
A. My mother taught me to notice my status by playing a game with me at well-attended events called “Count the Black People.”
B. I sang contralto at my alma mater’s Madrigal Dinner Theater.
C. I was made to sing “I Wish I was in Dixie” with my elementary school choir.
2.
A. I downloaded some Kristen Chenowith this week.
B. I downloaded some 50 Cent this week.
C. I downloaded some Relient K this week.
3.
A. I attended a party in West Hollywood where I was the only person of color.
B. I attended a party in Downtown Burbank where I was the only person of color.
C. I attended a party in West Adams where I was the only person of color.
4.
A. I’ve sung Tori Amos’ “Cornflake Girls” at karaoke.
B. I’ve sung Jewel’s “Who Would Save Your Soul” at karaoke.
C. I’ve sung Dusty Springfield’s “Son of a Preacher Man” at karaoke.
5.
A. W.E.B Dubois was awarded the Lenin Peace Prize by the then Soviet Union.
B. Frederick Douglas taught himself to read by competing with white kids in the shipyard.
C. Marian Anderson was a mezzo-soprano.
THE LIES
1. B – I sang soprano in my college’s Madrigal Dinner Theater. Mom first taught me to play CTBP when we went to a Lipizanner Stallion showcase. Changed my life forever. How many black people were there at the event? Counting my mom and myself, 2. And, yes, as part of some very well conceived show in fifth grade, I sang(soprano, natch) along to “I wish I was in Dixie, hooray, hooray. In Dixieland, I’d make my stand to live and die in Dixie. Away, away, away down south in Dixie!”
2. C – The EP I was looking for wasn’t available. Oh, and 50–it was a gift…for a clearly questionable associate.
3. Haha! This is a trick question. At all of those parties, I was the only person of color. Yes, even in the hood, I can find the party where my people refuse to go.
4. A – The truth was, I sang Tori Amos’ “Crucify” at karaoke, not “Cornflake Girl.” Important side note: The only time I had a total karaokefail was singing “Son of a Preacher Man.” I thought I was safe because Dusty’s so white, but preachers and their ilk are a big part of black culture. Seems even evoking the imagery and the very light soul runs were enough to have my song cut short. My apologies to the crowd. Next week, I’ll get back to my style and try “Taylor the Latte Boy.”
5. If you know the answer to this one, you’re playing the wrong game.
In addition to the homemade costumes discussed last week, check out this sexy illegal alien costume for our Coconuts. Nothing says that you’re disconnected to the issues affecting your race like a sexy, silvery sombrero.
Oh, and just in case your self loathing eats away at your body the way it eats away at your soul, check out this costume, lovingly called “Anna Rexia.”
Obviously, this is upsetting. These black students are in college, a private college at that–a great start toward Oreodom.
But then they got lazy.
Baggy pants? Traveling en masse with other of colors? Trying to prove racial discrimination? Look, hipster jeans may not be comfortable, but they make things easier for everyone else.
The upside to this story, the disparaged upperclassmen are retaining attorneys. I’ve seen enough episodes Boston Legal and Law and Order to know that the folks who can afford to do this tend to be the fairer folks.
Nice move, guys. The effort is much appreciated. Be sure to review this week’s material–and not just the Cliffs Notes. There will be a pop quiz soon.
So, it’s been the general opinion of this blog, its readers and the movie viewership of America that Tyler Perry is the cheif anti-Oreo. What the spawn of satan will be to the end of days, TPear is to attempts to assimilate.
The Oreo Experience wonders now if this is the case.
Hear me out. While Tyler appears to stand for all that TOE detests, there are some key elements about him that may indicate is is a sheep in wolf’s clothing and perhaps, and this is a big perhaps, an Oreo deep down inside.
For example, Tyler Perry:
Exhibits a poor view of black people. His movies and shows rely on trite sterotypes to find the funny. Is he writing this way because it’s what makes money, or because it’s what he believes? If it was purely about capitalism, surely some of his truth would have seeped out by now and he would have made something pleasant. But the self-loathing evident in his product makes him a prime candidate for Oreodom.
Enjoys exploiting people of color. At his current rate of production, TP puts out a movie and nearly a full run of TV series a year. This means he has a slew of people working very hard so that he can make media junket appearances. Because he runs “black” shows, and because he chose to settle in Atlanta, most of his employees are of color. Notably, his writers, who Perry seemingly prevented from joining their union during their employ. Only relatively recently, and after millions in his own pockets did TP give in.
Is intmidated by Spike Lee. Thanks to blogger Belle Woods for reposting comments on Tyler Perry’s reaction to director Spike Lee. Apparently Spike called TP on the carpet for his portrayal of black people. Tyler fought back, claiming that Madea is really a subversive way of instilling value in the viewers. Now, while a true Oreo would invite Spike over for scones and conversation, a self loather would take the same emotional stance as the fairer folks and tuck tail a bit when Lee speaks.
The jury is still definitely out. But I’m keeping my eye on him. Maybe he’ll surprise me.
Or maybe we’ll get a new summer blockbuster: Madea Does Dallas.
Every once in a while, I have the chance to talk with people who really remind me why I’m fighting so hard for my Oreodom. I stumbled across my latest interview quite by accident. 
Do you want to play a game? 
(soprano, natch) along to “I wish I was in Dixie, hooray, hooray. In Dixieland, I’d make my stand to live and die in Dixie. Away, away, away down south in Dixie!”
So, it’s been the general opinion of this blog, its readers and the movie viewership of America that Tyler Perry is the cheif anti-Oreo. What the spawn of satan will be to the end of days, TPear is to attempts to assimilate. 
the self-loathing evident in his product makes him a prime candidate for Oreodom. 
The Oreo Experience 