In the film Training Day (2001), Denzel Washington plays a rogue cop, named Alonzo Harris, who is neither troubled nor guilt-ridden by his own corruption. Denzel Washington gave an amazing performance no doubt, but the controversy lay on his character Alonzo. His character Alonzo definitely showed characteristics of the black stereotype known as bucks, due to him being a highly sexual man, violent and brutal, and even preying on his own community. “Not only is Alonzo a perversion of law enforcement but a perversion of fundamental mortality” (395). The controversial stereotypes on screen have never projected a positive light on black actors nor the black community as a whole. These depictions encourage the hate groups who think black men and women are poison that must be eradicated. That’s why Training Day was so controversial.
For my chosen topic from the reading, I chose the movie Dreamgirls (2006). Dreamgirls is one of the most important films for this era because of its focus on young black woman. This film was based on the Broadway Musical under the same name, which was inspired by the iconic singing group, The Supremes. The Supreme's members included Mary Wilson, Florence Ballard, and most notably Diana Ross. They rose to fame through their talent and their story; “three ghetto girls from the Detroit projects whose success personified the American Dream” (444). The film, Dreamgirls, followed their story and starred Anika Nonie Rose, Jennifer Hudson, and Beyonce Knowles. Now most would suspect Beyonce to be the best part of the film because of how huge of a star she is now, but it was actually Jennifer Hudson who played Effie. Jennifer Hudson went on to win a Golden Globe and an Oscar for best supporting Actress in 2006. I chose this topic because I have seen so many references to Dreamgirls in many different types of media I have watched and read.