For Colored Girls...Make Your Own Rainbow

First off thank goodness for Redbox, Netflix and every other service that makes it possible to watch movies from the comfort of my own home.  I rushed over to the movie theatre hurrying to catch the 4 o’clock show. The previews were going by the time I got to my seat, there were also only 4 other people in there, two older ladies in front of me and two black guys behind me. The theatre got dark and the feature music started……………….but no movie.  Um, yea the sound and no visuals! 

10 minutes later the movie (with sound and visuals) started, after one of the ladies and one of the guys went to get someone.

On to the movie. For Colored Girls. I thought it was ok. It wasn’t terrible…it was simply ok. There were a few awkward moments where poetry sometimes came out of nowhere, poems from the play from the play no less, but odd. I've never seen the play so can't compare there. People have said that the film was emotionally draining; I just thought it was uncomfortable at times.

 A recurring thought for me was why none of the women seemed to take responsibility for the lives. Other comments I’ve heard referred to this movie as male bashing. I didn’t get that. Because even though the men were awful the women all just put up with their crappy behavior. I’ve just never believed to be a strong woman you need five of your girls holding you up.

When I left the theatre yesterday I had more of an appreciation for my life and the strength I possess. The monumental issues I have dealt with throughout my life have been tragic, sad, and devastating…but I dealt with them. What I didn’t do was let them grind me into the ground or let them render me helpless.

It just seems to me, if your (husband, boyfriend, whatever) is cheating, lying, beating, manipulating, stealing from, or using you. Leave, move on, get out. When Janet Jackson’s character said the line ” I loved you on purpose, I opened my heart to you on purpose”….I felt that DEEPLY. But I also would have added; “Now I’m leaving you on purpose, BYE.”

I have always been a believed that people are responsible for their own happiness, and the film reminded me of that. You are where you are because you are. If you want to be somewhere different, go. It ain’t easy, but if you keep waiting for support from your girls or your man, you’ll never get there.

PS. Thadie Newton was awesome! I loved the “is it ticking” comment when her mom brought her the gift.