Posted on 07/28/2003 8:03:19 PM PDT by mhking
(CNSNews.com) - The Congressional Black Caucus may raise questions about the film Buffalo Soldiers, which critics argue degrades an historic Army unit primarily composed of black soldiers, but not until the summer congressional recess.
The Miramax film is based on a 1993 novel by Robert O'Conner and follows the exploits of fictional Army Specialist Ray Elwood (played by Joaquin Phoenix), who supports his heroin habit by selling Army weapons and supplies out of a German base prior to the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Some veterans and people who are involved in Buffalo Soldiers history say the film and its title are disparaging to the service of the original soldiers, who served in mostly all-black Army units formed in 1866.
"We've been bogged down talking about Head Start, child tax credits and other items," Doug Thornell, Congressional Black Caucus communications director, told CNSNews.com. "When Congress recesses (in August), that might be when this may come up. It's not something the Caucus is focused on right now."
Activist Eugene McCray told CNSNews.com he had written letters protesting the title to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and Jesse Jackson's Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, with a letter on-tap for the Congressional Black Caucus.
McCray said he has received no response from either the NAACP or Rainbow/PUSH. An official with the NAACP told CNSNews.com she did not think President and CEO Kweisi Mfume had seen any letters on the film and that he had been busy with the organization's national convention.
Project 21, a D.C.-based African-American political activist organization, issued a statement calling on Miramax and its parent, the Walt Disney Company, to rename the film.
"When the name Buffalo Soldiers is uttered, the only thought that anyone has is of those brave men who fought valiantly for all of the people of the United States," said Michael King, Project 21 advisory board member.
"For Miramax and Disney to insult those men and women with this movie title is simply reprehensible," King said.
King said he was not surprised by the inattention of the Congressional Black Caucus. "They couldn't stare their way out of a paper bag," he said, adding: "I don't put much stock in them or their activities."
Hollywood blamed for lack of historic perspective
Charles Long II, president and founder of the American Buffalo Soldiers Re-Enactors Association and great-grandson of an original Buffalo Soldier, said Hollywood has "apparently" lost its sense of respect for history.
"Hollywood has a license when it comes to being creative...but some things I would think you just wouldn't want to step on," Long said. "In association with the (real Buffalo Soldiers') history as we know it...that's just flat out disgusting."
The term "Buffalo Soldier" is attributed to American Indians who are said to have compared the dark, curly hair of the soldiers to buffalo hide. "That name was given to black soldiers out of respect for their tenacity. It was not a name given for characters that were representing 'steal all they can steal,'" Long said.
The movie poster features Phoenix in fatigues flashing a peace sign with a slogan above his head reading "Steal All You Can Steal."
Studio says 'no' to name change
Miramax spokesman Matt Hiltzik told CNSNews.com that the title would not be changed.
"This is a thought-provoking dark comedy about the military during the late 1980s. It's not intended to reflect negatively on any of our current servicemen or others who have dedicated their lives to our country," Hiltzik said.
Originally slated for release in late 2001, it was delayed after the 9/11 terrorist attacks and subsequent military actions in Afghanistan and Iraq. It began a limited run on July 25 and is slated for nationwide release in August.
Buffalo Soldiers unit fighting in Iraq
Paul Matthews, founder and executive director of the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum in Houston, Texas, told CNSNews.com the delay showed that the filmmakers were aware of the negative perception the public would have.
"So why wouldn't they do the same thing now, knowing that the Buffalo Soldiers community, the African American community and Americans in general will have a bad taste about that title?" Matthews asked. "Do they totally disregard African Americans? To say that it has nothing to do with the Buffalo Soldiers is totally inconsistent."
William McCurtis, president and regimental sergeant major of the Ninth Memorial Cavalry in Arizona noted that the 1st Battalion, 9th Cavalry (Airmobile), is currently in Iraq.
"They are the direct military descendants of those original black men and officers of the 9th Cavalry, the Buffalo Soldiers," McCurtis told CNSNews.com. "As of this day, the 9th Cavalry is one of - if not the most - decorated unit in Army history.
"The history of the 9th Cavalry was so shining an example of American military men that only because they were black men, the history was buried for more than 130 years," McCurtis said. "They gave me my chance to serve, and I will not see them dishonored in such a degrading way."
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Turn that around.
You can't tell me no one knew about the original Buffalo soldiers. I don't get why the name is Buffulo Soldiers for the movie.
It's much more ominous.
Great line
"This is a thought-provoking dark comedy about the military during the late 1980s. It's not intended to reflect negatively on any of our current servicemen or others who have dedicated their lives to our country,"
Not to worry, everythings OK, its just reflecting on those who served in the late 80s (who remembers the late 80s), a number of which served in Iraq once, some twice, with a few stops in between. Dark it is, comedy, no.
It is truly disgusting............FRegards
The term "Buffalo Soldier" is attributed to American Indians who are said to have compared the dark, curly hair of the soldiers to buffalo hide. "That name was given to black soldiers out of respect for their tenacity. It was not a name given for characters that were representing 'steal all they can steal,'" Long said.
If you want to know why the director thinks the name is appropriate, see this interview from CNN.
Controversy dogs 'Soldiers' director (Buffalo Soldiers)The director said O'Connor was making a thematic link between the Buffalo Soldiers of the 1800s and the troops depicted in the book. "He looked at it and said, 'The real Buffalo Soldiers were freed slaves employed by the Union Army to go and basically wipe out Indians.' "
They had little to gain from fighting Native Americans, Jordan said, and neither did the troops stationed in West Germany during the latter days of the Cold War.
In other words, politically correct bullsh*t...
Make it into an "us" against "the man" issue.
Feh...
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