Marketing Black Films

How many films about poor, struggling white families have been mainstream commercial successes? Somehow, the “politically correct” image of blacks in films has become the street-ghetto stereotype, and if white audiences aren’t interested in the plight of poor whites, why would they be interested in poor blacks or poor Latinos or poor Asians?

Racial problems are minimized by class and interest similarities. Perhaps a more varied view of black life will result in multiracial audiences for all types of black films.

RICK MITCHELL

Los Angeles