Blacks and Movies

It was devastating to again read the same old bromides about why black movie projects cannot get funding by major studios.

The April 16 story was replete with shopworn excuses, such as the one that white audiences will not support pictures without a white leading character.

Such justifications for not producing Afro-American projects is insulting to black Americans and all other thoughtful people. The great success of television’s “Cosby” show would seem sufficient to put an end to that lie.

White people, like any other people, will support any movie or television program that has a good story and characters and that is done well and properly promoted. (Remember “Roots”?)

The problem lies in the fact that too many decision makers in the industry are young, white yuppies whose isolated upbringings in all-white neighborhoods and all-white schools and colleges has ill-prepared them for the role they have inherited.

ROBERT W. WILLIAMS

Pasadena