Protested film wins NAACP’s approval

In a sharp rebuke to a September protest led by the Rev. Jesse Jackson and the Rev. Al Sharpton, the NAACP on Thursday saluted “Barbershop” -- vilified by those black leaders for making fun of civil rights icons Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. -- with several NAACP Image Awards nominations, including outstanding motion picture.

Among the film’s nominees was Cedric the Entertainer, who portrayed an outspoken older barber making less-than-reverent comments about Parks, King and Jackson. The actor was nominated for outstanding supporting actor in a motion picture.

The announcement of the nominations came during a press conference for the 34th NAACP Image Awards ceremony, which honors the best in black film, television, literature and music. The awards will be held March 8 at the Universal Amphitheatre and shown in a edited version March 13 on Fox.

“Barbershop” and the actor were both harshly criticized by Jackson and Sharpton last September, a few weeks after the film became a hit with movie audiences. It is the highest grossing black-themed film of the year.

They were offended by one scene in which Cedric the Entertainer’s character goes on a verbal tirade, saying “Rosa Parks ain’t do nothin’ but sit ... down.” When others in the shop protest, he continues, describing King in less than flattering terms and using profanity in a reference to Jackson.

Saying they were supported by members of Parks’ and King’s families, Jackson and Sharpton called for a public apology from the filmmakers and demanded that MGM remove the scene from its eventual home video release. Sharpton went so far as to threaten a boycott of the film. The leaders said Parks and King were among historical figures who should never be disrespected. The protest eventually died down without any formal action.

“There indeed was a long discussion about this, because we were well aware of the furor,” said Vicangelo Bulluck, executive director of the NAACP Hollywood bureau and producer of the awards ceremony. “But the feeling is that the film is overall a positive film. In regards to the issue about the material in the film, the NAACP is a supporter of the 1st Amendment.”

Jackson and Sharpton could not be reached for comment.

Competing against “Barbershop” in the outstanding film category are “Brown Sugar,” “Antwone Fisher,” “John Q.” and “Drumline.”

Outstanding motion picture actor nominees include Ice Cube (“Barbershop”), Denzel Washington (“John Q.”), Samuel L. Jackson (“Changing Lanes”), Taye Diggs (“Brown Sugar”) and Morgan Freeman (“High Crimes”). Film actress nominees are Sanaa Lathan (“Brown Sugar”), Jennifer Lopez (“Maid in Manhattan”), Thandie Newton (“The Truth About Charlie”), Angela Basset (“Sunshine State”) and Vivica A. Fox (“Juwanna Man”).

Nominated for best television comedy are Fox’s “The Bernie Mac Show,” ABC’s “My Wife and Kids” and UPN’s “Girlfriends,” “The Parkers” and “One on One.”

Nominees for outstanding television drama include Fox’s “Boston Public” and “24,” Showtime’s “Soul Food” and HBO’s “The Wire” and “Six Feet Under.”