Bertha is really gold-diggin but I’m sure will not get a thing. TAKE YO A** TO WORK!!!!!

smdh…

OMG, Bertha isnt doing anything or “gold-diggin” becasue Bertha is deceased!! Its Bertha’s estate!!

Pay the estate… just because people pass on doesn’t give anyone the right to pillage their material.

well we’ll see how you peoples beloved Emmitt Perry reacts 2 this

He just gave the Negroes at the NAACP A milli, all they askin 4 is 75K….that shouldn’t be problem…right Emmitt??

Emmitt R. Perry…where’d the Tyler come in at?

damn this world is crazy i thought you were suppose to spread the word of God not sue the person doing it….ima pray for them

When I Thank Of The Goodness Of Jesus,….. now sue me

so sad. they just need some money. they should be happy he acknowleged the verse. i love madea!!!

Ridiculous! Ok half the songs that are out there as far as gospel music are repeat sayings from other or older songs. You don’t see other artists doing this. She might as well sue church choirs that use her music. As a far as her being a christian she’s not even following the Word when it comes to this sort of thing.

C’mon seriously??? I understand money’s tight these day and we will do almost and thing for a dallor or 2 but this has to be bout one of the dumbest ways possible if thats the case think of all the church chiors she’s gonna be seuen boy ait’t I glad we did’t sang that song at church ………..LOL

They better get out of here. Are they serious?? People say that all of the time. It’s not like he made millions of dollars from that ONE line? But just to flip what MR_NANASTROKER said. Right! he did just give 1Million Dollars to the NAACP, this is NOTHING compared to what God has blessed him with. He should just pay and let it roll…And lol @ cowboys1262.

wow!!! this is so stupid of her. and she is supposed to be a child of God. Tyler Perry is doing good in what he is doing. teaching about God. You should be ashamed of yourself woman. you just trying to get a qucik buck. people use that line all the time. i bet u probably heard it from the older saints of God that were older than you. You need prayer.

Does anyone even remember him saying that??? NO!!! What’s wrong with people today, always looking for a way to get over on the next person. And how old is this lady? Tyler P. wasn’t even born in 1950, so the chances of him knowing her song is a little slim to none.

they need to be suing him for taking up tv time with that crappy show house of payne. that’s the real crime. trying to force people to watch that ignorant garbage.

YEAH, WE’RE IN RECESSION SO PEOPLE ARE DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN FOR MONEY !

I agree with at least 8 of you and they need to just stop with this bullsh!t…from the words of Ed Lover C’MON SON GET THE FU^CK OUT OF HERE WITH THAT BULLSH!T. lol What some people will do for the love of MONEY and to BRING a PERSON DOWN. The woman who wrote the song is turn’ing over in her grave off the fact they are trying to sue him for speading the word of GOD and a quote to her song.

For all those who didn’t read the article (or a couple of the comments already made) it’s not actually Bertha James that’s suing the “great” Mr. Perry, it’s her ESTATE. That means an attorney or person appointed as the trustee over the estate is suing him. Now whether it’s a beneficiary that initiated the suit is the question. So, direct your comments at them and they will not come on here and read them. LOL

LOL this is soooo funny! That woman is hungry for some money fa’ real.

NOW THAT LADY KNOW SHE NEED TO LEAVE TYLER PERRY ALONE , CAUSE IF THAT IS THE CASE SHE MOUSE A WELL SUE EVERYBODY ELSE WHOM USE THAT SONG IN CHURCH AND ALL …. BE FOR REAL , WHAT KINDA MESS IS THAT ………………….. GOD IS GONNA DEAL WITH HER , AND SHE SURPOSED TO CHRISTAN AND THAT ‘S WHY PEOPLE NEED JESUS TO DA FULLEST , I LOVE TYLER PERRY , HE SEND THE TRUE POSITIVE MESSAGE OUT TO DA YOUTH ……….. AND TO THOSE WHO DON’T LIKE THE SHOW , THEN YOU REALLY NEED JESUS ………….

JAH BLESS , RESPECT
SHANTEL N FAMILY

That phrase is as old as C.O.G.I.C Every mother of the church has stood up before their 30 minute testamony and gave that 15 minute speech. OH! When I think of the goodness of Jesus and all he has done for me, My soul cries out Hallelujah… Hallelujah…. Hey!!! Hallelujah. I thank God For Saving me. and they shout for 5 to 10 minutes. Then tell you what exactly they thank God for. She heard it from one of the mothers of the church before she died. Now her estate is having caniptions because they think she coined the phrase. It’s amazing what ppl will try to do these days.

ESTATE…..HAHAHAH THATS REAL FUNNY…TO TRY AND SOUND LIKE A RESPECTABLE PETITIONER , TRYING TO DISGUISE DESPARITY WITH THE WOR ” ESTATE ‘…. IN THIS CASE THE WORD ESTATE COULD REPRESENT A ONE BEDROOM FIRE TRAP WITH FOUR CRACKED OUT RELATIVE OF THE WOMAN WHO WROTE A SONG VERSE A LONG FUUUCKING TIME AGO….ANOTHER CASE OF A LAZY MOTHER F$CKER TRYING TO GET SOMETHING FOR NOTHING…

Now when that lady was suing over the Matrix Trilogy..yall was on the bandwagon…but now another lady or whoever it maybe is suing tyler perry yall hopping off?? Man..some hypocrites…if he took her lines or what have you..then yeh he owes her or her estate some money. Stop trying to protect black people when they do the same wrong as others do. She got papers saying its hers and its copyrighted..then she is allowed to sue…most likely will win the suit also.

If he infringed on the copyrights of the song and didn’t seek permission, then so be it. But it begs to question, 1950…..was he even aware? Truthfully, it’s a phrase I have heard over the years……

damn, lol, you know the recession is getting REAL BAD when “gospel” singers are suing for common phrases that people say in churches allover america. lol. My question is, why is she doing it now? Didn’t the movie come out in February? Why didn’t she sue then? LOL. I bet she got fired from her job and decided to sue tyler perry. the judge is gonna take one look at her and laugh his/her a*ss off. LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. While she’s at it, why doesn’t she go and sue the churches were that phrase is said over and over again? churches make money too. If Tyler Perry’s lawyers say that, they’ll win the case for sure. You can’t copyright that, lol.

IS IT ME OR IS IT THAT THIS MAN LOOKS MORE COMFORTABLE IN THOSE DRESSES THAN REGULAR CLOTHES? WHY HE GOT’S TO BE IN A DRESS EVERY MOVIE, I JUST WANT TO KNOW? IT’S FUNNY HIS ARE MOVIES, BUT DAM EVERY SHOW, EVERY MOVIE! MEET THE BROWNS THAT SHOW REMIND’S ME OF A BADDD AFTER SCHOOL SPECIAL THAT MY PARENTS MADE ME WATCH.

Okay so here is the problem, why are we having all of these silly fights. Okay so Spike Lee says something negative, and Bertha James wants to sue. Okay Three powerful African Americans fighting it out. We have some real issues that we have to deal with other than throwing tactless punches at each other. We have people trying to make gangs into a terrorist group instead of trying to fix the problem. Not too many people seem to be concerned about health care. Frankly if we look at this it does keep people credit score down and it also has a chance of causing harm to people who deserve a chance. But we are now focus on searing each others name. SHAME for crying Shame, use your powers to stand up! Stand up for the people who does not have a voice, Stand for the people who are in the financial crisis. God has blessed you with a voice Stand up against injustice. All our forefathers would be disappointed in the way that we are handling the community.

Lol, people will do anything for some money. Damn, she needs to get a grip. It’s a recession and you trying to sue? She needs a WWJD bracelet. Trifling winch.

LOL ya’ll are crazy!!! Comments have me crackin’ up!! In my 23 years for life, i have heard that quote about 75,000 times! Dumb stuff! SMH Unbelievable. They got a bunch of ppl to sue. Money is the ROOT of all evil!

SMH @ writing a song about the “goodness of Jesus” and wanting everybody to pay you to sing it…. The devil is a lie!!!!

YEA SHE SURE DOES NEED TO GET A GRIP. I MEAN HE IS MAKING FILMS TO INSPIRE ALL PEOPLE TO STICK TOGETHER THROUGHT THESE TROUBLESOME TIMES AND NOW THEY WANNA SUE.IF YA WANNA MAKE QUICK CASH THINK OF OTHER WAYS LOL

It is so sad the things people do in the name of The Greatest Man who ever lived. That is Jesus Christ himself. It reminds me of that scripture in Matthew 7:21-23 where Jesus said, “Not everyone saying to me Lord Lord will enter into the kingdom of the heavens.” It is truly time out for us serving God in our own way. It is time for us all to stop confusing Christ and live as did Christ. I found it so easy for so many to claim to be a christian and their deeds are actually just the opposite of their confession. Yes being a Christian is truly not easy as Christ himself was a prime example of it not being easy as even he suffered John 3:16. He set the example for us, as to how we should live 1Peter 2:21. Yes many of us say well Christ was perfect. Yes he was perfect that is for sure. That is what makes him unique because he remained perfect in an imperfect world. So that made his task harder then ours as we are born sinners and God knows we make mistakes and he gave his only begotten son so as to cover our sins. Alot of people think Jesus perfection was programmed as he was a robot. No that is not what the bible teaches as we know this when we read of different occassions where Jesus himself was tempted by Satan, but he refused to sin and give in to Satan. So that showed he had a free will also and he choose to remain obedient and when he was weak he prayed to his Father Luke 22:39-43 all this showing he could have fallen short as did Adam, but he remain faithful to death. Friends we need to stop confessing and start living. We need to stop letting our attendance at church make us feel that is enough. We need to start studying and getting more familiar with God’s word, as God’s words are our instruction of how to live and what God requires of us and it is what stablize us and keeps us close to God. Going to assembly our selves is awesome and never should we forsake the assembling of our selves together Hebrew 10:24-25. However again, it is not enough, our daily bible reading and mediation is what helps us as God’s spirit works thru his word. Again, by us reading, studying and mediating on the scripture it draws us closer to God and helps us to better live up to his will and standards. I said all that to say, we need to make sure everything we do is God’s will and not ours. Many do alot of things in the name of flesh and money, many of us need to make sure is that what Jesus would do.

And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have your cloke also. Mat 5:40

so yall saying it is ok to bend the rules, if he is doing it for church. So if he go rob a bank because the church need a new roof, he shouldnt get prosecuted

Wowwwww…The Estate…Wowwwwwww…So sad…

ok ..If they are going to sue him for sayin the chorus then every Church needs to be sued!!! (black,white,Chinese,hispanic …whoever) in the U.S and all over the world, If I had a dollar for all the times testimony service started that way!! I would be a millionaire. LOL>>SMH

lol yall think christians are above tryin to make some money? this woman isnt thinkin about inspiring people thru jesus… she is seein dollar signs… dont put nothin past a christian, including murder, child molestation, drug abuse, prostitution, and anything else that we find to be wrong in society… 95 percent of crimes are committed by people who consider themselves christians. let me know when yall wake up… imma be waiting

People really trip me out when it comes to celebrities we run to their defense but when a regular person commits the same crime or mistake we are calling for their heads if one of your female friends boyfriend or husband beats his girl he is a no good dog and I agree with that 100% but if a singer or actor does the same we will find a way to try and justify why he did what he did granted some of these star have talent but at the end of the day they are just people like you and me let’s stop worshipping them like they are God’s copyright infringement is illegal and he should be sued and then he should fire his legal team for letting this happen

Money is the Root of all evil…PPl will do anything for a piece of change especially going out of their character to do it being a semi christian when you want be…lets be foreal…So sad that ppl always got to hate and not congratulate…

lol…understand that Bertha James is dead and its the people who owns her estate that wants a piece of Tyler Perry’s Pie……people are evil……

if he used part of someone’s song he should pay just like everyone else

Somebody obviously neds some money to pay off something if they gonna sue the man for something as trivial as this.

Does anybody else see the irony in people who own this GOSPEL singer’s estate SUING someone? lol…I just don’t get it…it’s kind of sad.

This is sad, so now if this is a successful suit, then that means that when a comedian takes a lyric from a song he can be sued, when a person makes a video of themselves and put it on you tube or some other venue they can be sued, and how many other movies that have had a quote or a reference from a song, will they be sued? Point blank this is bulls**t…..

What’s next? You’re hanging out with a few friends and you break out with some old skool rap and everybody really gets into it and somebody hears it can you be sued. Imagine that…..

Sad that the estate felt that they had to go this route. However, back in the day, Ms. Bertha probably did not get all of her pay for that song.

Well I guess all those online doing illegal downloading should also stand in line to be sued too if this is the case these people are looking for some easy money. I didnt hear the phrase and wouldnt have even known it was a gospel song nonetheless wateva

wow with the fame and fortune comes gold diggers and lawsuits this is easy money for her instead of discussing things between the two of them as usual it gets media attention blk ppl let’s stop hurting our own ppl tyler is doing wonders for his ppl and movies he’s taken the movie buisness by storm damn lady he would have gave you that money and then some no need to be greedy and try and hurt the brother what’s 75 stacks to him that’s play money to him tyler go ahead daddy give her the 75 stacks for her copyright issues and be done with it you have movies to make you dnt have time for petty ass broke ass women who trying to come up off you so they take you to court get it over with and continue doing what you do best which is making movies and plays we love dont let this be a drawnout court battle over something as petty as some damn copyrights. xoxoxo

wow my bad just found out she’s deceased R.I.P. ok well now my message is for the estate you broke want a quick come up found one and here comes the court issues you know they have to be broke look where they are going to court wow as if suing him wasn’t enough you want publicity as well so you take him on national television wow the society we live in today!

in the future do your research and if you are going to steal someones lyrics…choose someone that is dead without the possibility of being sued due to copyrighted lyrics. fyi, the rich steal frm the rich, rich steal frm the poor and the poor steal frm the rich. be very cautious and smart next time lol! i would recommend a honest living by coming up with your own lyrics and you would not be in this situation. writing lyrics isnt that hard and look at how many people in the world today that think they are lyrcist and they are not. yet they make money that socially clarifies them as a lyricist. talent or no talent they are ways to make it either way.

Tyler isn’t broke I’m sure he can pay it off. He is rich as hell he is on will smiths level. I agree with wincie & va ga tpa

copyright infringement is copyright infringement like I said the man has a legal team to make sure things like are cleared before the movie goes into production pay the estate and fire your legal team it’s not petty or greed copyright infringement is illegal maybe it should have been handled a little different but pay it and be done with it

FIRST OFF IM LAUGHIN AT ALL YOU DUMB ASSES CUZ SHE IS DEAD SHE IS NOT SUING TYLER PERRY…FOR SHE IS NOT SUING TYLER PERRY SHE IS NOT SUING TYLER PERRY I HAD TO SAY THREE TIMES FOR THE FATHER SON AND HOLY GHOST CUZ SOME OF YALL DON’T KNOW HOW TO READ…SHE MUST BE MONEY HUNGRY IF SHE SUING SHE MUST BE A GOLD DIGGER SHE MUST BE CRAZY SUING HIM OVER A LINE EVERYONE USES …..(SHE) IS DEAD PPL IT IS HER…IT IS THE PPL WHO IS ALIVE…SHE CAN’T SUE SHE ITHER IN HEAVEN OR HELL….AND IF SHE IN HEAVEN OR HELL SHE DAMN SURE CAN’T USE THE MONEY…IF SO EVERY ONE WHO IS DEAD SHOULD BE TRYNA SUE FOR A LOT OF THINGS…NOW TAKE A SECOND RETHINK BACK IT UP tyler Perry is being sued by the estate of gospel singer/songwriter Bertha James READ THE ARTICLE AGAIN………^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^HELLO ESTATE^^^^^^^^^ THIRD IF HE IS WRONG THEN HE IS WRONG…IF HE IS NOT DEN HE IS NOT…SO WHAT JUST THROW THEM 75,000 FOR BEING GREEDY GOD IS GOING TO GET THEM AT THE END…CAN’T TAKE MONEY TO HEAVEN DUECES****

well well well go ahead sue everybody then not just him, but sue the churches, the pastors, singers, musicians, and people that uses verses, I mean Mr. Perry is NOT the only one. What the hell, I mean the estate of gospel singer/songwriter Bertha James, come please, wait here you go sue me, yeah sue me cuase I am getting ready to use it right now, and forever more, so sue me, I am waiting…..

BLAH

There are a lot of funny and ignorant comments on here. It would help if people actually read the article first before leaving comments.

Well I guess all the mega-ministries in the world need to watch out for a lawsuit. Those same world are repeated every Sunday in every city in most African American churches all over the country. When do you think someone will claim to be the one to have created “As I lay me down to sleep…I pray the LORD my soul to keep…” It seems it’s just a matter of time. I guess times are hard all around. Fight it Tyler and I hope you win! Sue them for a frivolous lawsuit if you can.

I haven’t read all of the posts, so please forgive me if this is redundant. I for one, am glad that this happened. Tyler Perry has made millions singing Whitney Houston’s songs in his plays, reciting damn near all of The Color Purple, singing oldies and making jokes about celebs…yall know better than I do I’m sure, because I haven’t seen all of his plays. That’s not innovative. Those of us that truly love the theater have been silently praying for his demise for a long while now. Hopefully, this will force him to do his thing instead of riding the coat tails of others.

@ sweet_amazon_honey…if you haven’t been able to experience all his work then why would you make such swooping generalizations? A stranger reading some of these comments would swear that Tyler Perry didn’t have an original idea floating around anywhere in his head. I’ve watched all his plays and all his movies and while some move me more than others and some bore me more than entertain me I have to admit I have learned a life lesson from each one. He may borrow a line or two (or maybe a verse) from some other artist but in this day and age who doesn’t. He puts a spin on the original and adds his own flavor to it. Come on now black people we need to start unifying and supporting each other. Hollywood presents us with whole movies about nothing based off of hits we’ve seen before and I don’t hear anyone complaining. Let Tyler Perry borrow a verse or sing a song if in the long run he reaches out and gives hope and laughter then I’m all for it.

This lawsuit is beyond frivilous. It’s absolutely moronic. If Bertha James wants to sue Tyler Perry for using the line in a movie, then she’d better also be prepared to walk into every Black holiness church in America and sue everyone who’s ever given a testimony.

this man has come a long way. hell if that’s the case everyone in the world should be sued. for what, cause we all copy an bite off of each other. and so what old lady gospel singer! be happy for him even remembering your precious words, she must be broke? i’m thinking. anyway, hell sue bush for wearing that suit that bob barker wore on an episode of price is right. they think i didn’t notice that? mmm hmmm…this is stupid!

This is crazy everybody wants a piece of the pie, but dont want to work for it. Tyler Perry is a good man who help the world with his movies, you have some films that don’t have jesus no where in the movie, but when tyler do something postive he gets a kick in the face by “HATER’S”. If time’s are that hard go back to WORK…………..

is this like an ongoing trend, where people don’t want black men to make money in 09?? either they in jail, on probation,in court, cant catch a break, or someone tryin to sue em?? cant a man just make money!? dang at least he’s givin back what he earns in some shape form or fashion!! geez!!!!

Anything that is in a fixed medium of expression is copyrightable, which means that it can be registered with the Office of Copyrights. If this has been done by Ms. James’ estate, she has every right to sue for infringement (although it may not necessarily mean that it will win). It is considered “intellectual” theft to use a song, poem, etc. without the express consent of the owner(s).

The fact that churches the world over may use Ms. James’ lyrics doesn’t make it condonable for Tyler Perry to use it without consent…the churches should be citing the authorship anyways. More to the point, there is a difference between churches singing the song and a movie producer using it in a movie that will obviously gain revenue. It’s like Janet Jackson singing a song by Sade around the house vs. me putting on a live concert and singing her song without Sade’s permission.

This is not about not wanting a black person to get ahead either. It’s about what Ms. James’ estate may be entitled to. Perhaps if Mr. Perry had shown the same concern for another black person the way many posters on this thread show concern for him by doing the “right thing”, this would not have been an issue.

ALL I GOT TOO SAY IS PEACE BE STILL,SUE HIM FOR THAT TO, YOU PLAYER HATERS NEED TO GET A LIFE. THE SERPENT HAS BEEN LET LOOSE ON US BLACK MEN, AND GUESS WHAT THE DEVIL’S AMONG US STILL CAN’T TOUCH THIS LIKE MC HAMMER SAID BACK IN 92′ HAHA. LATER PLAYER HATERS SO SAD. IT’S NOT WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT YOU IT’S WHAT YOU RESPOND TOO. SATAN IS HER GOD.

NUMBERS:22-28 “AH MEN

its copyright infringment. that law is there to protect any of you from someone using what you’ve created without going through proper procedure. write a song a let someone steal it and make millions, and see if you would just want to “give a brotha a break ! that man is rich enough to pay that fine and still be blessed. stop defending mess because a person is black, we break the rules too and need to be subjected to whatever the rules say. ask chic about the sugarhill gang lawsuit. ask chuck berry about the beachboys getting rich off of his music, he had to sue for copyright infringment. bertha james sounds black to me, and she may need her money. why not defend her ?

peace be still ? thats probably what bertha james said when she heard her song being used without permission……its the law people !~!!!

korg … Lets get over this trip for real… its stupid.. People just hatin cause this man is succeding in life and makin money that others have tried and did not succeed in doing so.. LET THE MAN LIVE DAMN

he still has to obey the rules. you get over it. believe me, 75000 is what he pays in taxes

As a true Christian..not one that acts like one, one place and not another, I have to say that this lady is greedy. Reason being, she knows EVERYONE says that. She may have put it in a song but “WHEN I THINK ABOUT THE GOODNESS OF JESUS” is something many people in church say. She’d have to sue the whole Christian community for it. I mean, even my grandmothers have said that in their testamonies at church. C’mon now. When is enough , enough? The root of the problem is that the woman never made much money off the cd and sees this as a way to get more cash. Remember not everyone that calls themself a Christian is Christian. This is just a greed driven tactic and it’s just sad. I’m not the biggest Tyler Perry fan. I’ve seen his plays and I like some of his movies. I’m not a mega fan of his because I don’t really know where he stands. Yet let’s call a spade a spade. This man didn’t infringe on anything, and if she sues him, she would have to sue everyone because that is a common phrase used at church. This is amazingly ABSURD!

(To Korg), “amen!”

What is so interesting is how people defend copyright infringement, but if this was THEIR work that was stolen, they would be all over it as well.

Korg, you put it best when you cited examples of intellectual property theft against blacks by whites. If this had been another case of a white person stealing from a black person, I suspect many people would have a different opinion of the situation.

This is not about “hatin’” on anyone, which is a weak argument. This is about what is fair and due to the artist.

First of all, black people don’t read. Bertha James is dead – her estate (legal beneficiaries) is suing. The term, “Estate” implies that she’s either too sick to handle her own affairs or she’s dead. Now, It’s not an issue of her Estate being “evil” or “money hungry,” or “hating.” Black people love to pull the “Hate Card.” An estate is there to protect the interest, land, property, legal rights, and/or assets of the individual. And if these things are being used or taken advantage of without legal consent and permission, then the estate SHOULD sue! Perry has build an empire off of infringement. His movies and his plays are riddled with intellectual properties of other people. We do a lot of defending instead of allowing our own people to be held accountable for their actions. We’re not doing Tyler Perry any favors by defending him. We’re making HIM rich. Just because you enjoy his product doesn’t mean the man can do no wrong. Sometimes, all it takes is a letter to the proper individuals or to go into a license agreement with the estate for use of the material. Rarely are people denied because it actually benefits the estate financially (royalties). The estate is suing because, 1. Tyler didn’t want to pay the license agreement fee, and 2. Tyler don’t want to compensate the estate their deserved, 1.9% (or whatever is is in 2009) every time that scene is played in a theater or sold in the store on DVD. Just because Tyler Perry is rich doesn’t mean he wants to pay out the pocket especially if he thinks he can slip it in without anyone noticing. Ya’ll better wake up and start holding these people accountable for their actions.

fly098 , dont bring your version of what a christian is suppose to act like because all being christian-like, she SHOULDNT have to sue him, he should pay her. christianity doesnt just work against the people YOU think are acting out of place he should be happy to pay it. he broke a rule and he knows it. THIS LAW HELPED MANY BLACK PEOPLE GET THEIR DUE MONEY FROM WHITES WHO WOULD CONSTANTLY STEAL THEIR MUSIC WITHOUT REPERCUSSION. THIS LAW WORKS. dont believe me, write something and let someone else make a million off of it. we will see how christian you are then !

Fly098: Bertha James is dead. Her Estate is suing, which means that the people who are suing may not share the Ms. James’ personal stance on how it should be handled. However, since she IS dead, and there are other people handling her affairs, they have every right to act the way they see fit, within the law. The issue of Christianity is, therefore, irrelevant.

This is about what is legal. However, since you brought up the issue of what a Christian is, where does Tyler Perry stand in all of this? If he himself is a Christian, he should have made sure to do the right thing by asking for permission and working out an agreement with the Estate. That or agreeing to pay them without argument. A mistake is a mistake. Why contest a rightful claim (if the courts in fact find it so)?

thank you candyboxxx

wow i dont believe this well if she sues him for say when i think about the goodness of Jesus well somebody should be suing her cause she got it from somebody else too thats because you put it in a song do not make it yours people in the church testify on that phrase….so i guess she going to be suing everybody….this is ridicolous ……until its funny i dont know what tyler has done to break any rules but if he get sued on that i might as well sue some people for some things cuz i believe i said it first…..

@Fly098

You don’t sue the whole Christian community, you sue he or she who is receiving compensation, royalties, money, fame, and fortune from the material that was “taken” without legal permission! Look at the bottom of this website, you see: © 2008 Radio One. All Rights Reserved. That means I cannot take the material from this site, post it somewhere else, claim it as my own, and make money from it and have the nerve to expect for Radio One not to litigate it. Whether or not Bertha James made money during her lifetime is not the point, it’s still HER PROPERTY! It is a weak statement to even insinuate that her estate is doing this to be evil or to get rich. It also has nothing to do with being a Christian, so I don’t understand why you keep using that as a defense. If you want to use someone else’s material, just ask! JUST ASK! That’s the Christian way!

As a true Christian..not one that acts like one, one place and not another, I have to say that this lady is greedy. Reason being, she knows EVERYONE says that. She may have put it in a song but “WHEN I THINK ABOUT THE GOODNESS OF JESUS” is something many people in church say. She’d have to sue the whole Christian community for it. I mean, even my grandmothers have said that in their testamonies at church. C’mon now. When is enough , enough? The root of the problem is that the woman never made much money off the cd and sees this as a way to get more cash. Remember not everyone that calls themself a Christian is Christian. This is just a greed driven tactic and it’s just sad. I’m not the biggest Tyler Perry fan. I’ve seen his plays and I like some of his movies. I’m not a mega fan of his because I don’t really know where he stands. Yet let’s call a spade a spade. This man didn’t infringe on anything, and if she sues him, she would have to sue everyone because that is a common phrase used at church. This is amazingly ABSURD!

fly098, If those churches who use James’ quote recorded their service and charged people who purchased the pre-recordings a fee, then James’ Estate could theoretically sue because it is more than just a public display of work; it is now for profit.

Sorry the second paragraph is quoted from Fly098, not mine

isishappybeingme, if there is a PROFIT, she has the right to sue, not because you sing it in your church praise. get a grip people, those laws are there to protect you too !!!

good post 100th monkey

Even if there is no profit, the owner of the work can sue. If you look at the FBI warnings on the dvd recordings, it expressly mentions this.

Just thought I’d add that…

Isishappybeingme: words spoken in a public forum that are not fixed to medium of expression are not copyrightable. Such is the case with the word “bling”.

Well put 100th_Monkey.

First and foremost i the copyright was not extended on the song, I do believe that it goes into was is called public domain, if that be the case the plaintiff had best hide lions gate is not one to mess with, they are very careful when distributing or releasing anything. And another thing why wait so long before doing this, is it to see how much was grossed from the films and then make a claim.

That’s messed up they didn’t know that ahead of time – everybody and they momma says that and I had no idea who wrote it nor did I care. So if the money is due 2 her, I hope she gets it but she should have been glad someone wanted 2 quote her dumbass song – it’s all boring and repetitive – Tyler breathed some life n2 it. I guess ppl need 2 b more careful – I thought it was just a black thing passed down from slavery – smh.

WAT IS WRONG WITH HER…I KNOW SHE GOT TO BE BROKE ASS HELL BECAUSE THATS CRAZY…S**T SHE SHOULD BE HAPPY THAT HE USED THE DAMN WORDS IN THE MOVIE… HELL WAT SHE NEED TO BE DOING IS CALLING TYLER PERRY UP AND SAYING THANK YOU FOR USING MY WORDS IN YOUR MOVIE!!! IF THAT WAS ME I KNOW THATS WAT ILL BE DOING THANKING HIM NOT TRYING TO SUE HIM….WAT IS WRONG WITH THESE UNGREATFUL ASS PEOPLE!!!!

Annunaki40, you wrote, “And another thing why wait so long before doing this, is it to see how much was grossed from the films and then make a claim.”

I would have done the same thing! LOL

well said 100th monkey…the law is the law. If she is due money, she’s just due money. Both sides will get their ducks in a row. If Tyler Perry or Lionsgate believe they are in the wrong, they will more than likely just settle outside of court. If they let it go to court, they probably have some pretty good evidence that says they are in the right. All in all, who really cares, at the end of the day, they’ll both still be rich. :-)

Absolutely pathetic,,,,and where is your “GOD” now????

You know people taking advantage of what you can sue for in court and its really kinda childish. There are better ways to handle situations like this one than just running out ans suing someone. It just makes it seem like you just want money. Two grown people should be able to talk about a situation and work out an agreement. Going to court and suing someone should be the last resort. NOT THE FIRST!!!

Hey BP, Sorry but I totally disagree with her suing. Not because I am in favor of Tyler Perry’s work, but because I think the suit is ridiculous and not to be judgmental, but for a woman or any being that is ‘Christ Like’ to want to challenge another sister or brother over pettiness is just wrong. The verse in her song was probably used by ALL of us through out our daily lives at some point or another. That’s like watching a movie about some guys who go on a robbing spree jacking people for money and their jewelry for what ever reasons. Now, should this film maker and producer be sued by MOP because their song ‘Ante Up’ is about jacking people? Maybe it was just a coincidence? I tell ya!

Her estate will have to prove that the earnings of the movie rested upon him saying those particular lines. This is a frivolous lawsuit, indeed. He will probably just settle this one for less.

As far as her God, I can’t agree more. However, if she is due damages then so be it.

FOR THE LAST TIME PPL READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE THEN GET A DICTIONARY AND LOOK UP ESTATE THEN TELL ME WHAT U THINK …..THEN RECOMMENT AND SAY WHAT IT REALLY IS…DAMN DUECES****

if she’s able to sue him for saying a verse from her song, then every artist should be able to sue people for singing their entire songs; especially on shows like American Idol..

This is so dumb! I seriously think she is trying to get some money! I mean come on, I don’t know how many times I heard this song in church back in the day. I guess she is going to go from church to church suing next.

SOME PEOPLE DON’T REALIZE THAT MONEY IS THE RULE OF ALL EVIL…ANY THAT THE SAME YOU IT’S GIVEN IT CAN BE TAKEN AWAY… TYLER HAVE PUT MOVIES OUT FOR ALL TO RELATE TOO ANYONE SHOULD BE GLAD THAT HE USE A SCRIPT!!!! THE BIBLE SAYS SOMEONE SLAPS YOU ON ONE CHEEK GIVE THEM THE OTHER…

Good Lord! It is true, BLACK PEOPLE DON’T READ! At the risk of yet again sounding redundant, to those of you using the words, “her” and “she” – Bertha James is DEAD! Her “estate” who was hired to protect her intellectual properties are doing their job. Protecting her intellectual properties. Perry just didn’t use a simple ‘word’ or even a line, he used an entire VERSE verbatim! A verse can be anywhere from 4 bars to 24 bars and that’s not something he “mistakenly” used in his movie. You guys are acting as though it was a coincidence he used the woman’s song in his movie without even as much as crediting her in the closing credits of the movie. Now THAT’S taking advantage of someone, and someone who is dead!

Why this is so difficult to comprehend is beyond me. As I have said once before, Perry has built an empire off of copyright infringement. It’s nothing new. I’ve seen several of his plays and at any given time, he will bust out singing a song from an established artist, quoting movies, dropping names and while it makes for good entertainment, any artist that wishes to “borrow” from another artist must go through the proper channels (license agreement). It’s part of the entertainment world (television, radio, film, music). Chances are, you probably hardly ever need it (with the exception of music and radio) but it’s there to cover your behind, “just in case.” It’s there to protect both parties. Perry didn’t want to pay the license agreement fee and doesn’t want to pay James Estate royalties. That’s the bottom line. So please people stop turning this into a religious issue. If Perry was that much of a Christian himself, he would have asked permission for use of the material from James Estate. The fact that he didn’t makes me wonder.

And before I go, to 706-Blessed: Money IS NOT the “rule” to all evil. The Bible doesn’t say that! It states, “for the “LOVE” of money is the “ROOT” OF all evil. 1 Timothy 6:10. It is the “love” (worhship – adoration) of money that is the root (OF), not (to) – it doesn’t lead you TO evil because the love of money is already evil. I’m sorry to get preachy but it irritates me when people misquote the Bible and then build a case around a misinterpretation. Forgive me.

IM GLAD BERTHA IS SUING HIM. BY THE SOUND OF HER NAME SHE NEEDS SOME MONEY. GET UR HUSTLE ON BERTHA!! WE ROOTIN 4 YA.

Honestly….if it was that serious a lot of people should be sued or getting money for people using lines as them…so if that’s the case the whole industry should be taken to court to get sued.

some ppl need to say…cause he used a line in ur lame ass song smh sorry but come on now one even knows it geez

almost 24 hrs later: @ babytonnie – I spoke my opinion of what I’ve seen. That’s kinda the point of these forums…speak YOUR mind. Your definition of originality and mine are obviously very different. As I stated, to me, Tyler Perry is not innovative. I don’t knock anyone that enjoys Tyler Perry’s work…to each their own. He was creative enough to get to where he is now, that’s a remarkable feat in itself. But forgive me, if Bertha’s estate is owed money for material he borrowed he should pay for it. That’s what happens when you use other people’s work. To avoid this type of negativity – create your own material!! Lastly, because I’m not a Tyler Perry fan I don’t support my people??? Hello, this is BLACK PLANET! A planet full of black folks (sorta)!! I support the arts…I prefer BLACK culture and art, but I love art in general. I won’t spend my money on what I feel is inferior gospel messaging. If I wanna hear Bertha, I’ll pay for Bertha…not Tyler Perry reciting Bertha. That doesn’t make sense to me. Continue to enjoy him and be uplifted. I’m glad for you! @ 100th_Monkey – I love your mind! I’m with you brother!

It’s funny how black folk will defend just about anything (even injustice) when it comes to something we enjoy. If it can get black folk to shuck and jive, laugh and show their teeth – then regardless of the fact it’s wrong or unjust or just plain bufoonery, we will support it! It’s obvious to me who in here has actually taken the time to read and think about this and who are just Perry fans who can see their unsung black hero of stage and screen do no wrong. They once said, “if you want to hide something from black people, put it in a book.” Ain’t that the truth because only a handful of people has taken the time to read the actual article to understand that Bertha James’ “Estate” is suing Lionsgate and Tyler Perry, not Bertha James herself.

Aside from Perry emasculating black men, stereotyping aged black women, creating the idea that most black families are dysfuntional . . . Perry has not done us as a community any favors. And his “Feel Good” movies are riddled with confusing pilfering (he will quote Mahalia Jackson in one breath and Lil Wayne in the next.)

Perry used Bertha James “entire” chorus, not just a line. Is that not wrong? When Biz Markie lifted Gilbert O’Sullivan’s “Home Alone” as a sample, he got sued. Dr. Dre for “Addictive” was sued by an Indian music company because Dre didn’t go into a license agreement for the sample. Joe Satriani sued Coldplay for just using just his melody. Prince has been sued, Marilyn Manson has been sued, Lil Wayne, Trina, Redman, Eminem, Whitney Houstan, Public Enemy, Jim Jones and hundreds of others have all been sued for, “lifting” other people’s material. Why? Because it’s ILLEGAL people! And why we feel that Tyler Perry is beyond reproach and doesn’t deserve to be sued simply because you like him is ignorant and just damn goofy!

I agree with Amazon Honey, if you like Perry’s material and it puts a little love in your heart and makes you smile, then by all means – continue to enjoy it. But, don’t be so blinded by fandom that you can’t see that he should have protected himself. And protecting yourself involves getting permission. The man is not stupid, he’s a business man. He’s just gotten away with it up until now. Now, you will either see a decrease in song quoting in his movies or he will start applying for the copyrights.

Read my black people – READ!!!

100th_Monkey: your last comment was very well put, and you are correct about people not paying attention to the article (i.e., James is dead-although I myself inadvertantly used “she” at one point, but I already knew she was dead. Anyways…)

Another thing that I get sick of Christians doing is playing the christian card in a situation like this. That is to say, they talk about how it is suing is not the Christian thing to do, how money is the “root of all evil”.

First of all, if you are going to point a finger at someone, remember that there are three others pointing back at you. Secondly, if you’re going to talk about what is the Christian thing to do, then you need to be incrimminating Perry for theft (“thou shall not steal” is one of the ten commandments–and anyone using someone’s property is just that, theft.) Also, stop misquoting the Bible. As 100th pointed out, it is the LOVE of money. It irks me how people pick and choose verses from the Bible to fit their needs or just don’t even have a clear understanding of the text.

The fact that other people use Bertha James’ song (or any other artist) in church is not the issue. Yes, there are several churches that do this, and some don’t even bother to purchase the actual music to the song. However, unless that church has a recording of that song–especially one that it is selling for profit–it would be hard to track down every single violation, as many people have pointed out. THAT DOESN’T MEAN THAT USE WITHOUT PERMISSION IS BEING CONDONED! Thing of it people who sell illegal drugs: doesn’t mean that selling drugs is right because a bunch of other people are doing, does it?

Lastly, as I mentioned before, why does this have to be about black people pulling other black people down? Why is it that if there is a dispute amongst black folk, the rest of us get up in arms and call the complaintant a “hater” or “crab in a barrel”? Please! You are going to have to come better than that weak argument because this is about money and about doing the right thing. Why can’t people see past the issue of race–within our own community–and see things objectively?

100th_Monkey lamo you hit that s**t right on the head good to see there is still some smart black people left in this society

Wow…she just wants to get paid. Smh

If that is the case then everyone who says this phrase at church should be sued too. Please people don’t we have anything else better to do than to sue people. I guess she will come after me. “When I think of the goodness of Jesus my soul crys out halleujah, I thank God for saving me. I have been the church all my life and I didn’t know there was a song with that phrase in it..lmbo..

All i got to say is Crabs In a Barrel if you don’t what that means google it

It’s a money-hungry world out there! lol (Like 2Pac said in the chorus of his song ‘Changes’ “That’s just the way it is!” (I guess I’M getting sued now!) ;-)

crazy , ridiculous ! is they gonna sue the church’s for singing it ? cause they do all the time . erribody wants sum moneys . lol !

they probably broke done spent up all the money in they moma’s estate . they should look into that and see if thats so . it could be brung into court as evidence of unsound cause .

is it REALLY that serious? i mean REALLY…make another damn song and make some more money DAMN

mizzmoe215 u stupid! 1st the story said “the estate of gospel singer/songwriter Bertha James” other words Bertha James is dead an gone lol so how she gone make a new song she not 2pac!!! <<<<<i luv slow @ss black chicks

Although I think it’s petty to sue, he should have gotten permission to use the lyrics. He wouldn’t want anyone infringing on something produce to make money. But it is petty.

100th_Monkey is 100% on point.

Crabs in a Barrel is exactly correct! The family has found away to make some addtional money, oh well! the jackson brothers are trying to make what they can off michael. Does that have to be our commentary dragging each other down and so, mentally involved with what the White populus might think of us??? Black folks love to correct each other in White Folks terms. Striving to be correct in the eyes of others is terrifiingly SAD. Going through life calling Black Humor Buffonery is stereo-typing Black Humor! There are all sorts of characters used in movies, TV, and plays. Yet, our race feels shame when someone is just plain FUNNY. This statement from monkey, says a lot about how we are conditioned to think. “Aside from Perry emasculating black men, stereotyping aged black women, creating the idea that most black families are dysfuntional” I don’t get that, Where is Tyler doing any of this??? Someone that thinks like this has their own problems, that are bound with what they feel shameful about themselves. I know Madea’s, I love and learn from many, also, I know many Male actors that ACT in womens roles, none are trying to emasculate men. Sad commentary and racially destrutive. We are harder on our race than we would dare to be of others! White’s portray the gambit of people in roles pictures like The Godfather, Pretty Woman, Mrs. Doubtfire, Malibus Most Wanted,The Brothers Solomon, any John Candy or Beluci, Adam Sandler, etc.

Who ever the woman is she’s just broke and want to bring this black man down. But guess wut she’s not the first cuz the white folks said he couldnt do it. Those words didnt come from her song. U know how many people says “when I think about the goodness of Jesus”? Everbody especially when giving a testomony. I hope she looses. I will pray for U TPerry.

WOW!!! I’m not shock!! Everybody is at this man right now!

MAN I WAS THINKIN THE SAME THING GOOD LOOKIN OUT @ 100TH_MONKEY BECAUSE I SHOL DIDNT WANT TO TYPE ALL THAT SHYT BUT THATS HOW THE AVERAGE BRAIN WORKS IF THEY LIKE IT THEY BUY INTO IT WHOLE HEARTEDLY TYPICAL CONSUMER MINDSET HE SHOULD BE SUED FOR DRESSING LIKE AN OLD LADY TOO I ALSO FELT WHAT SPIKE LEE WAS SAID A LITTLE WHILE BACK

100th monkey makes a very strong point. In any of his plays/families are there families that do not have a crack head/drug addict, a prostitute/Promiscuous women, raped/molested child, abandon/deserted child/children or something terrible happened/happening to the family/family members?

No family is perfect but damn! I know quite a few families that had some hard times, but nothing to the extreme that is always explicitly illustrated in his plays/sitcoms/movies.

Bottom line he should have received permission, therefore, suffer the consequences. Oh and I am sure, if the woman was still alive she would make another song… LOL! No Crabs in a Barrel, he just was caught with his pants down and now he has to pay the price.

First off it is obvious 100th_Monkey is not a fan of Mr. Tyler Perry, I get it. I even get the fact you think he did something wrong as stealing Bertha James “entire” chorus. However, what I find disturbing and very typical is, blacks hating on blacks. When I got to the 3rd paragraph of what you wrote, I could have appreciate it more, from a legal stand point, than the first parts. If he has, actual did, what some are alleging, he did, than yes he should have to pay up, but why you felt the need to stereotype his work, and his fans, who like him?

I think black people who just plain dislike Mr. Tyler Perry should ask themselves a deeper question. Has any white people ever did what Mr. Tyler Perry did and how did the Caucasian race perceive it? I have even a better question; do you hate your black race And/Or The Arts? So many people think it is so wrong for Mr. Tyler Perry to dress as a woman and portray a woman. This is where we do our research; in “Ancient Greek Theater”, all of the actors and playwrights were men, because women were not allowed to participate. Wow, I wonder did the people of Ancient Greek thought the where “stereotyping White Women”, or “emasculating” there women? Keep in mind in the first theater-plays ever, all characters where played by men. White people enjoy the theater; they support the theater, and were very entrained by it. Therefore, why as fans of black entertainment, when we enjoy something, our whole entire race get stereotype as, loving anything that makes us “shuck and jive, laugh and show our teeth”?

I think the type of plays and/or movies, Mr. Tyler Perry does are, The theatrical genre of “MELODRAMA”, Research time. In film, the term ‘melodrama’ denotes a subgenre of the drama film, which generally depends on stereotyped character development, interaction, and highly emotional themes. Melodramatic films tend to use plots that appeal to the heightened emotions of the audience, often dealing with “crises of human emotion, failed romance or friendship, strained familial situations, tragedy, illness, neuroses, or emotional and physical hardship.” Film critics sometimes use the term “pejoratively to connote an UNREALISTIC, pathos-filled, campy tale of romance or domestic situations with stereotypical characters (often including a central female character) that would directly appeal to feminine audiences.

Wow, so Melodrama, is actual a TERM, a ART-FORM, and a TECHNIQUE, that began in the 18th century? Melodrama was a technique of combining spoken recitation with short pieces of accompanying music. Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s Pygmalion, with music by Horace Coignet, is generally regarded as the first example of the form. This was a monodrama, written for one actor in 1762 and first staged in Lyon in 1770.

(So Melodrama’s )
1. Generally depends on stereotyped character development, interaction, and highly emotional themes. WOW

2. Melodramatic films tend to use plots that appeal to the heightened emotions of the audience, often dealing with
a. crises of human emotion,
b. failed romance or friendship,
c. strained familial situations,
d. tragedy,
e. illness,
f. neuroses,
g. or emotional and physical hardship.
B. In addition, all of this was going on way back in 1762, WOW.

So why as black when we do melodrama’s, it is not consider a art form, stereotyped are a part of melodrama’s, and we are not the only race and sure, not the first race to have done this art form before. So, why as a black race do we dislike this art form when no other race of people is complaining about this art form?

Now that you read my take on this, why when blacks do something, we are stereotype for doing something that white people do all the time. Blacks are taught Even if we invent something or discover something or keep a tradition alive, to feel ashamed of it. I have a saying about Blacks And Whites it goes like this. White will only stab you in the back if they can progress to that status, and black will stab you in the back even if they have no chance to get to that status.
Say you on a job, and a white person want a new position that just open up, but you have to have a bachelor degree, whites will stick together to help one another, get that position, if they are not qualified, but if both white have bachelor degrees then it is a doggie, doggie world to the top.
Black-People, and yes this is a stereotype, but so true, Say you on a job and you are black, and a new position comes available, and you need a bachelor degree, to even be consider for the position. What I find disturbing is, black people, will do and say anything to keep blacks from advancing even if someone only have a GED, no chance of getting the job, because you need a bachelor to be consider, black people will say and do anything to stop any other black person from advancing, not all but ALOT.

Bottom-line is Mr. Tyler Perry is providing a Form of entertainment, which is meant to be everything that it is, suppose to be. Oh, andone last point, as a community, Mr. Tyler Perry has done us a big favor by Donates $1 million to NAACP and $150k to Atl food banks. So blacks can go to college and read what is in hiding from us in the books and eat while we are reading those hidden things they try to hide from us, Yes people Read but Read more than what is convenient .

tnblkm21 – Thanks for the response and taking the time to dedicate your energy to it. I love open communication with people as long as it’s done with tact and respect and your response was that indeed. I feel that we are not going to agree on this subject matter, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t respect your opinion. So allow me to respond.

I am not a fan of Tyler Perry and never have been. However, it is presumptuous on your part to assume that my dislike or non appreciation of him as a talent is due to some deep rooted black on black hatred. I am quite capable of liking and disliking any artist based on the quality and character of their works without it being deemed as, “hating” just because of skin color. I also find it disturbing that you are implying that because someone is black, we are automatically supposed to accept them and appreciate their works? And if we don’t then we hate our race? That is an communistic and leninistic mentality. You are implying that we do not have the luxury to make choices for ourselves to interpret art, music, and theater the way we see fit according to our own likes and dislikes. I do not love everything black simply because it’s black. If I do, then i am a product of conditioned collectivism. That simply means, I am conditioned to follow the leader. I normally see this type of behavior in religion. Your parents are Baptist so by default you’re Baptist and you never question it, you just go with it.

You speak of black and white issues. Racism requires pro active work. Social problems cannot solve themselves. It’s time for social change and social change first begins with, “perception” and how we as black people are perceived on the world stage. We are not in ancient Greece my brother, so your point of men playing a cast of alternative characters (male and female) is outdated and not applicable in 2009. The modern black film world as well as black stage has done more to lampoon and stereotype blacks whether it was whites in black face or blacks in black face during the Civil War. This behavior has evolved and has become what it is today. Minstrel shows have created black characters that displayed us as lazy, ignorant, buffoonish, trifling, easily frightened, superstitious and always ready to shuck, jive talk, and flat dance for a laugh. Not so far removed from Tyler Perry’s works. And I am supposed to support this form of black art? Give me 20 black films over the past 20 years and perhaps 15 of them involved gangs, gangsters, drugs, death, murder, food, infidelity, emasculation, or blacks just acting a fool.

Since you are discussing history, such black artist as Chuck Uwiji, Adrian Lester, Lennie James, Martina Laird, David, Oyelowo (in which I’m sure most blacks have never heard of including yourself) were all black Shakespearian actors that took center stage to perform some of the most dynamic and heart gripping performances you will ever see, and without the coonin and emasculation that typically takes place with Tyler Perry. Perry is no Spike Lee by any stretch of the imagination. Not all blacks share the same cultural upbringing as Perry suggest. He does not offer a broad scope of Afrocentrism but a very secular viewpoint of black people in this country and most of his secular views are dysfunctional in nature.

I feel that you have spent too much time creating a genre for Tyler Perry and finding a place for him that you ignore the very fact that he has help to dysfunctionalize black America in many of his films. Not to say that it translates into everyday black life, I won’t go that far to suggest that, but on film – he has not presented us historically in a memorable fashion. I am well aware of what a melodrama is and so you need not to copy and paste a long drawn out explanation of it from Wikipedia to prove your point to me! No one is debating the etymology and definition of the term. Nor is anyone debating if it’s an art form or not. Of course it is. You are arguing a point that was never an issue in the first place.

My problem with your response is that you feel that I am not free to choose what I like or dislike because I automatically should support black art whether it’s good, bad, negative, positive, practical, or impractical. Is this your argument? Not everything black is right for us my brother.

No one is denying his contributions to charity and not once did I speak on that. You seem to be scrapping the bottom of the barrel to justify his works. One has nothing to do with the other. I don’t enjoy Jay Z’s music. I think it’s demeaning to black women but I do respect the fact that he donated large sums of money to the families of 911. That doesn’t mean I have to support his art. And the moment us black people start thinking for ourselves without feeling obligated to support the next black person solely based on skin color, we will be one step closer to true independence. But if we keep allowing 88% of our thoughts and actions to be guided and misguided by the thoughts and actions of others, we will never evolve any higher than the next person.

If you enjoy Tyler Perry and you feel he is a great source of inspiration and you find no wrong in what he did, then more power to you. And by the way, I have spoken numerous times on the board about the legal aspects and ramifications of copyright infringement. Perhaps you failed to read those inputs? To the couple of people on here using the proverbial “Crabs in the Bucket” argument. Crabs are in the bucket because they are about to get cooked and eaten. Now if you don’t understand that – YOU look it up!

Thanks for responding I too am enjoying the conversation we are having on this topic however, I never once said you should support it because it is black. I said you should not suggest and/or stereotype people who enjoy Mr. Tyler Perry work, and suggest that black-people only enjoying the fact that it makes us “shuck and jive, laugh and show our teeth.” As you stated you there are certain things you don’t like, but I would never think you where an uppity nigga that only listen to music that was not down with the brothers, because you are denying your heritage, because that would be stereotyping. In addition, I am aware we are in 2009, however persuasive precedent tell is that is not mandatory but which is useful or relevant which we cannot throughout everything that was and has been, because it is a new day.

tnblkm21 – Well then I stand corrected if that is not what you meant. My apologies for misinterpreting your response. You are correct it IS a new day. However, I still hold my ground about Tyler Perry, lol. I’m not a fan and it’s really all about perception like I said. You may not see a problem with his art based on your life experience and perhaps I do see a problem with him based on MY life experience. That’s one of the things that most people fail to realize in here when debating topics. We were not all raised the same and our upbringing shapes and molds our thought process. Is Tyler Perry products entertainment? Sure is! But that doesn’t mean it’s entertaining, especially to all black folk. I think Perry is still maturing in his art and after many more films, hopefully he will arrive at a point where his films aren’t so predictable and stereotypical. I think about Spike Lee and his first movies, “She’s Gotta Have it, Do the Right Thing” and Spike has always had a nitch to tell our story in a more racially charged way, but then I look at how Spike has grown and matured in the industry. It’s a far cry from School Daze and Girl 6 to Miracle at St. Anna, and Malcom X. I’m willing to give Tyler Perry a chance but as long as he continues to make these, play write “laugh out loud” films using the Madea character as a catalyst for clever marketing, I can not invest in that product. Now, when he decides to tell the untold story of black pioneers of the old west or the Tuskegee Airmen, or a modern story of the black theater, I will become interested. It’s great to laugh and be inspired and shout about Christ but we now need films and products that will educate and empower us. We have enough black comedians, enough black rappers, enough black preachers and not enough black educators or black people in positions of wealth and power who can really make a difference. Here in D.C. we have the worst public school system in the nation, why hasn’t anyone done a film or doc**entary on that? Not to say it’s Tyler Perry’s responsibility, but as long as the problem exist, and he really cares about black culture, then that should be the focus rather than fictional melodramatic stories of dysfunctional black families. Just my opinion.

Dang. Everybody is tryin to make money off of this man!

Well entertainment is exactly that. To entertain, so of course every production won’t be for everyone. To each their own right? I understand the infridgement laws and all that but honestly unless your song is still on the Top 40 than she should be sending him flowers saying thanks for the plug and free advertisement. But that’s just my thought on it ^-^

She’s dead prclez, perhaps Perry should be sending HER flowers! LOL

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