| For decades, Hollywood has portrayed African | | | | they did not allow children, and therefore they ended |
| American men in a negative light. From pimps, and drug | | | | up without a roof over their head. |
| dealers to thugs and womanizers, the portrayal of | | | | Sleeping in such places as public parks with his young |
| Black men in the media have led to numerous | | | | son on his back, Gardner remembered the lessons |
| stereotypes that have ultimately determined how | | | | taught by his mother, and with a lot of prayer and |
| many view an entire group of people. | | | | dedication, Gardner was eventually able to take his |
| Moreover, the stereotypical portrayals of Black men, | | | | son from public parks to the penthouse. |
| have even led young African American Americans to | | | | Tim Alexander's first feature film, Diary of a Tired |
| view themselves in a negative light also. For many | | | | Black Man began as a three-minute clip he made |
| young African American males, the negative | | | | simply to display some young Black actors he had |
| stereotypes perpetuated by the mainstream media, | | | | been working with. |
| only reinforces, negative opinions of them, because | | | | Frustrated by failed relationships, involving what he calls |
| Black men who fit a negative stereotype surround | | | | "angry sisters," Alexander attempted to write a short |
| many. | | | | script that would be the Black man's answer to recent |
| Seeing Black men as drug dealers and deadbeat | | | | male-bashing films. |
| fathers leads some to believe that they are not real | | | | Although he is well aware that many African |
| Black men unless they live a life of negativity. The | | | | American women face challenges dealing with |
| portrayal of African American men in films such as | | | | insensitive Black men, Alexander wanted to present |
| Waiting to Exhale and Diary of a Mad Black Woman | | | | the fact that there are many good brothers out there. |
| have led many Black women to believe that there are | | | | Many would love to hook up with their ideal sisters, but |
| not any good Black men around, and that those no go | | | | because of such things as negative attitudes, find |
| good men are the reason for the turmoil that | | | | themselves at a crossroad in their dealing with Black |
| sometimes exist in Black relationships. | | | | women. |
| However, two upcoming films, The Pursuit of | | | | The clip centers on James who visits his ex-wife's |
| Happyness starring Will Smith and his son Jaden, and | | | | house to pick up his daughter, accompanied by a |
| Diary of a Tired Black Man by first time filmmaker Tim | | | | female companion who happens to be White. His |
| Alexander attempt to change stereotypes by | | | | ex-wife and her friends bombard him with insults for |
| portraying Black men from a brother's perspective. | | | | dating a White woman, saying he went that route |
| Will Smith's role in The Pursuit of Happyness is based | | | | because he could not handle a strong Black woman. |
| on the true story of Chris Gardner, a single father who | | | | James blames the Black women for their inability to |
| transforms his life from homeless to a multi-millionaire. | | | | keep a man on their anger and penchant for drama. |
| Raised by a single mother, Gardner knew at an early | | | | Although Alexander's clip has generated much |
| age that he wanted to be a constant presence in his | | | | controversy in the African American community, he |
| son's life. Although he lacked a lot of material | | | | said that his film is not focusing on all Black women, |
| possessions and wealth, his mother, Bettye Jean | | | | just those who bring anger from previous relationships |
| Gardner, preached to her children that they could one | | | | into new situations, and eventually drive good men |
| day be a millionaire. | | | | away. |
| After a stint in the military, Gardner moved to San | | | | The filmmaker believes that many of the issues the |
| Francisco to pursue a career as medical supplies | | | | Black women have with their male counterparts |
| salesperson. Barely making enough to support his | | | | directly reflects an entire life of hearing negative |
| girlfriend and son, Gardner's life changed drastically | | | | stereotypes of Black men. Whether they hear it from |
| when he met a Ferrari driving stocker broker who | | | | their mothers or the media, many African American |
| earned $80,000 a month. | | | | women have preconceived notions of Black men, and |
| Influenced by his conversation with the stockbroker he | | | | when they finally do meet a good Black man, they |
| quit his job to pursue a career on Wall Street. Despite | | | | think something is wrong with them because they are |
| being a high school dropout, he convinced a company | | | | not accustomed to positive relationships between |
| to give him a chance, even though he did not have the | | | | Black men and women. |
| required education. | | | | Unfortunately, many are accustomed to the infidelity |
| Unfortunately, when he arrived for his first day at | | | | and abuse that they witnessed their mothers and |
| work, he realized the man that had hired him no longer | | | | loved ones endure at the hands of Black men, and |
| worked there, and his opportunity had left with him. | | | | when there is not any drama in their relationships, they |
| Gardener managed to get a job with a stockbroker, | | | | try to invent it, which leads many Black men to search |
| but was unable to live at his boarding house because | | | | for love in other places. |