By Phill Wilson, Black AIDS Institute
While Maurice Jamal's latest film, Dirty Laundry, is being touted as a story about a modern day prodigal son with a twist". I think it is more a story about what binds Black families together -- and what keeps us from really being together. I think Jamal intended to make a film about what happens when a mother rejects her son.
Instead, I think Dirty laundry is a story about what happens when a gifted son abandons his family because he feels rejected by them, and the pain and hurt they each suffer because they are unable to talk about their own pain or listen to the other's hurt.
Dirty Laundry follows magazine writer Patrick, played by Rockmond Dunbar (Prison Break, Soul Food), who seems to have the perfect life, until one day there is a knock at the door. On the other side stands a secret that brings him face to face with the traditional southern family he's been running away from for ten years.
Dirty Laundry's cast includes a colorful array of character and comedic actors including Loretta Devine (Waiting to Exhale, I Am Sam, Dreamgirls) as "Evelyn", Jenifer Lewis (Antwone Fisher Story, Castaway) as "Aunt Lettuce", Terri J. Vaughn (Daddy's Little Girls, Steve Harvey Show) as "Jackie", Sommore (Queens of Comedy, The Parkers) as "Abby", Alec Mapa (Ugly Betty) as "Daniel" and Director Maurice Jamal as "Eugene". Supermodel Veronica Webb also appears in a cameo.
A' la David Letterman, the producers of the film came up with a "Top 10 Reasons to See Dirty Laundry". I won't repeat all of them here, but I have my own top 1 reason you should go see this film:
1. Independent African-American films have suffered from the "straight to DVD" syndrome and never see the light of a theatrical birth. Moreover, it's high time that our communities deal with these issues of acceptance and love in an upfront and honest way.
I was born in Altgeld Gardens, a housing project on the south side of Chicago. I remember people saying all the time, "Don't air your dirty laundry in public". In retrospect, this was very ironic, because very few or our families owned washers and no one owned a dryer.
Everyone dried their laundry on the clothes line in the front yard. I used to love to feel and smell the warm laundry, fresh off the line. It was the only time I gladly made my bed. Sheets, fresh off the clothes line just smell and feel better.
When I found out I was HIV positive, I immediately told my family. I'm alive today in part because I have always had the unconditional love and support of my family and friends. Black people with HIV/AIDS yearn for the love of our families, but, our families cannot love us if they don't know us. Revealing our whole selves to our families can be healing-like being bathed by the summer are and sun. I know, not everyone's family will respond the same way my family did. I also know it is a risk worth taking. The sun and the air can make even AIDS feel better.
Audre Lorde said, "When we speak, we are afraid our words will not be heard nor welcomed. But when we are silent, we are still afraid. So it is better to speak."
Today, AIDS is Black America's "dirty laundry". Instead of hanging it out in the sun and the air, we keep it hidden in the dark where it festers, mildews and gathers deadly mold.
Whether it's HIV/AIDS or something else, every family has dirty laundry. How we air it either binds us together or tears us apart.
It either sustains us or destroys us.
Comments: (39)
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By: Cecil Jones on 12/19/2007 10:16AM
Isn't it ironic that Bill Clinton has embraced Magic Johnson and the issue of AIDS? To tell the story of HIV you must go into the Deep South and into the prisons. Homosexuality was always connected to the disease transmission, but so was tainted blood. If Bill Clinton's greed and political ambition did anything to lower the standards of safety for our blood supply should he profit from the charity generated to correct the epidemic? Hell no! It is alleged that a lack of standards in the Arkansas Prision and a lack of enforcement lead to the spread of this disease. If you want to be fair, we must cover the roots of the disease. Short of that, Blacks shouldn't be so willing to embrace anything as the truth. I feel like Blacks are selling their souls. Seek the truth and see the clear path to the future.
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By: Richnyc on 12/19/2007 5:10PM
WOW, No comments here! Can't believe that... you guys have opinions on everything! Big Ups to Jamal.... it's a story that needs to be told... everything else is [told]. Great cast! I'm looking forward to it!
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By: cathy on 12/19/2007 7:20PM
this sounds like a much needed movie. i hope it comes out soon and i also hope a lot of people make it a family thing when they watch it...GREAT JOB..
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By: Coletta on 12/20/2007 7:49PM
Great piece! The best to this wonderful actor.
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By: mo power to the people on 12/21/2007 2:34AM
They need to make a movie about the faggalet intentionly given aids to straight women. You remove the fags from society and you will remove aids.
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By: D. Nancy Futrell on 12/22/2007 8:30AM
The comments posted by "mo power to the people" are not only homophophic but quite ignorant. How many thousands of black woman have contracted HIV from iv drug use/users. As black women we must start taking responsibility for our own bodies and use CONDOMS, There has been female condoms on the market for years.
Homosexually does not spread AIDS. Unprotected sex and the sharing of needles by IV drug user does.
I am a Lesbian and I know that I am not going to hell for who I love. Lord save me from some of these so called devout "Christians" for not having a christian bone in their body and the hatred and evilness they spill forth. Thank god that we have films like Dirty Laundry" out here today.
"mo power to the people" you could an afternoon seeeing the play starring Sheryl Lee Raplh " At first I Cry" stories of Black Woman and AIDS and getting a little education. Silence dies not equal death but ignorance does
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By: angeandre4 on 12/22/2007 10:17AM
Its a sad country when people still view AIDS/HIV as a gay only disease. I hope that this movie will get the same respect, air time and trailer time as so many non-white movies that do not hit on sensative issues will get. And hopefully everyone will watch it with open minds, eyes and heart. ANYONE can contract this. Ignorance is bliss-Get educated.
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By: laura on 12/22/2007 10:21AM
I tell you, finally ,there is an interest in the trials and experiences of the BLACK family. The good part is, there is a lot of money to be made. Let us use the money wisely this time. Pull together to own something bigger than we all are.
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By: LIA on 12/22/2007 11:31AM
I really don't see AIDS as Black America's dirty little secret. I see it as a disease that not many people.... black, white, aisan, hispanic and many others don't want to talk or even think about..unless it hits close to home. This is definitely a movie worth seeing. I am guilty of the above mentioned behavior and I hope to take something very educational from this.
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By: JC on 12/22/2007 3:35PM
Phil, Your Post Is Right On Target. HIV/AIDS Is Having A Tremendous Impact On Our African-American Community. Our People Our Getting Sick And Dying Because Of Our Shame In Discussing HIV/AIDS. We Talk About "Unconditional Love" For Family, But Do We Really Have It? Do Our Children Feel Comfortable In Revealing Their Homosexuality To Their Parents? For The Most Part, The Answer Is NO! That's Because They Know The Shame That They May Face By "Coming Out".
It's This Exact "Shame" That Keeps Us From Discussing HIV/AIDS With Our Friends And Family. My People, Love Your Children. Your Children Are More Important Than Any Opinion That Someone Outside Of Your Family May Have Of You And Your Loved Ones. Don't Let Your Family Members Be Ashamed To Discuss HIV/AIDS With You. By Openly Discussing HIV/AIDS Prevention And Treatment, We May Possibly Save The Lives Of Our Family Members And Friends. Remember, "Unconditional Love"!
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