'Raisin in the Sun' reflections
From Karlayne Parker, UniSun Editor:
While I watched a preview of A Raisin in the Sun last week, I couldn’t help but think of my father, who was one of several blacks to integrate a predominantly white neighborhood in my hometown back in the 1950s.
When I talked to him this weekend, he said he didn’t endure the harshness of racism some blacks may have endured in other communities back then.
The reason: The neighborhood already had three black families. Over time, the neighborhood has gone from from predominantly Italian and Irish to what it is today – all African-American.
White fears gave way to white flight.
While we’ll never know how things turned out for the Young family in A Raisin in the Sun, we can be assured from the indications of the less-than-receptive all-white neighborhood welcoming committee that they weren’t going to make it easy for the first black family to integrate their Chicago neighborhood.
That struggle in the movie symbolizes how in real life black America had to overcome racism and poverty to get where many live today – in the suburbs.
But Raisin in the Sun is about much more than this.
It’s about the complexities of having dreams, believing they can’t come true, and the profound effects that take place when they don’t.
The title of the movie based on the play by Lorraine Hansberry comes from A Dream Deferred by Langston Hughes.
Raisin in the Sun stars Phylicia Rashad, Audra McDonald, Sanaa Lathan and Sean Combs. It airs tonight at 8 on ABC (WMAR, Channel 2).
(Photo from "A Raisin in the Sun" courtesy of ABC // See more photos here)
Comments
The show started airing 15 mins ago.
Thats all the time it took to confirm what I expected, P Diddy is no actor.
This bland and one dimentional performance does the original broadway play, and 1961 movie a great injustice.
Posted by: drom | February 25, 2008 8:21 PM
Please tell me why P. Diddy is in Raisin in The Sun??? This movie is an abomination to the original!!!
Posted by: Olivia | February 25, 2008 8:32 PM
I'm presently watching the tele-film and I am most impressed with Sean Combs' performance. He is actually a more believable Walter than was the great Sidney Poitier in the 60's adaptation of the award-winning play. Combs should prepare for an Emmy nomination.
Posted by: Reginald D. Garrard | February 25, 2008 9:38 PM
I thought this movie was a beautiful depiction of the play. Very touching and a great way to reflect on what African Americans have had to struggle with in the past.It helped me to not take things for granted! I was also very impressed by the outcome of Sean Comb's performance. GO DIDDY! :)
Posted by: Nicole | February 25, 2008 11:09 PM
A Raisin in the sun What a great Story.Please show it more often.It Shows what Love in a family can do.
Posted by: Tom monahan | February 25, 2008 11:14 PM
I'm very proud of what Diddy is doing, and the chance that he's taking by telliing this wonderful story. I only hope that more of us applies ourselves to the knowledge and struggle of Blacks through the ages
Posted by: henry hale | February 26, 2008 12:04 AM
I would just like to say that I was already a fan of the movie from back in the day but not being a fan of Sean Combs, I must say HE SHOWED HIS BUTT OFF!! HE DID AN AWESOME JOB!! If this is any indication of his acting skills he should really go this direction fully!!
Posted by: Shimona Wright | February 26, 2008 12:47 PM
i think it was a good movie and when is it coming on again
Posted by: precious | February 26, 2008 12:57 PM
Diddy did a good job, much beter than I expected but he was still put to shame by the rest of the case. Amazing
Posted by: Fred D | February 26, 2008 5:29 PM
i have seen the original movie several times and i think that the cast did a wonderful job remaking this film. the cast worked well together and i think sean combs did an excellent job. ms. rashad was outstanding in my opinion.
Posted by: tee | February 26, 2008 8:13 PM
As explained by Juan Perez over on Highbrid Nation, Raisin in the Sun is doing big things. It is a made for television movie that they are promoting with a major release budget. For those, like myself, who missed it the first time around you can now see Diddy giving and Oscar worthy performance...well not really, lol.
Posted by: Mike Belgrove | March 14, 2008 11:42 AM