Sass

You know who I’m talking about –- black actresses who bring a “sassiness” to their portrayals. A few actresses come to mind, one in particular.

    

Broadly speaking, being a black woman –- and living in real life and not on the screen, I know that sass is often a part of who we are. Many black women are sassy or have elements of sassiness that pervade their personality.

    

Sassiness is not limited to ghetto girls and the uneducated.

    

The truth is, sassiness is alive and well every day within many of us. Of course, there are varying degrees of sassiness. Someone could be (1) sassy and someone else could be (10) sassy.

    

In fact, I’d say it’s unusual to find a black woman who is completely devoid of sassiness, regardless of socioeconomic standing, much like it is unusual to find a black person devoid of that thing called “soul.”  

    

Of course, not every black woman has sass. This is probably in large part based on their upbringing and their childhood environment, etc. And it is true that many educated black women and high achievers don’t own this behavioral trait.

    

Anyhoo, as far as sass on screen…

    

I think there’s a place for it when it’s called for, but its misuse is the problem. I suppose actresses (those not as skilled) use this as a means of expression to beget realness to the blackness of their character. They likely think this is necessary to establish their character’s authenticity.

    

My main complaint about sass is that it is usually uncalled for. And when there’s too much of it, it transforms the character into a caricature. It diminishes the character’s credibility. In these instances, sass is as an inappropriate expression of what sass could be (strong mindedness, opinionated, fearlessness about voicing anopinion).  Instead, you end up with rudeness and brashness that is… unbecoming.

    

My second problem with sass is repetition. Many actresses who rely on it use it, use it ALL THE TIME. I figure one of two things is going on here:  (i) the actress is placing pieces of her real life persona onto the screen, or (ii) the actor deliberately sets out to portray the character in this way when it is unnecessary to do so, when it is detrimental to the characterization. The actor's inability to transform into character and her reliance on this vehicle to layer her character, are miscalculations.

    

The third problem with sass:  Actors who don’t understand what surely must be a fundamental element of acting; that is, nuance. Sometimes it is appropriate or may even enhance the character if a little bit of sass is applied. Or sometimes a moderate amount of sass might be interesting or funny or entertaining, but too often the sass is too much.

    

That actress who came to mind -– before I think of her as a good or bad actress doing good or bad movies, I think of her as “that sassy actress” because she ALWAYS IS.

    

There’s nothing wrong with a sh*t-talker as long as she exists for a valid cinematic reason, rather than existing as a function of the actor’s inability to express herself.  I’m like, hellllooooooooooo, I know you are black. I can see that you are. 

    

There’s a place for it, without a doubt, but unnecessary, excessive and misuse of sass makes the actor look stupid. As a consequence of the actor’s fragile understanding of elements of speech communication, I cannot feel truly engaged with the character, because the sassiness is a distraction… and annoying as hell.

    

What do you think about sass?

Comments

[LaJane Galt]

I do agree that there is a little "something" to us. An aspect of our behavior or demeanor that "we" have.

But in Hollywood, sass is usually accompanied by a hand on hip, neck rolling, gum popping/lip smacking, finger waving & a "let me tell you something". It becomes a caricature...at this point, I'm tired of it.

Sass feeds into the Strawng Black Woman myth and morphs into Sapphire & Mammy. Those stereotypes render us inhuman.

[johnny wishbone]

this conversation reminds me of the line in hollywood shuffle where the director asks the actor to be "more black." I'll just leave it at that.

[Kimi]

ITA with all you said. A character that reminds me of this was in "Why Did I Get Married", I enjoyed the actress' portrayal, but thought she was a bit over the top. Everything she did/said had attitude, the only thing she didn't do was snap her fingers after she delivered every line.

Even the most ghetto girl I know, don't act like that nonstop.

[Orville]

I do agree that black women do have some "sass". I think the problem with the film industry especially in black romantic comedies there is always one black female character that is "over" the edge. She's supposed to be the comedian for laughs.

I have a question, when was the last time you saw a black woman vulnerable in film? You know, a black actress that is uncertain, depressed, has doubt, and may need a helping hand?

I think Halle Berry and Thandie Newton are allowed to be more "complex" or should I say more "vulnerable" in their films. Notice Newton and Berry are mixed race.

However, look at Gabrielle Union she's usually "sassy" or independent or strong. But can a woman be this way all the time? What about other emotions? I think black women have a range of emotions like everyone else. But I think people will say a black actress is "weak" if she is "vulnerable in films?"

I would like to see a complex drama with a black actress that showed a bit more vulnerability perhaps?

[Orville]

I think there is a book by a black feminist Michelle Wallace called "Black Macho And The Myth Of the Superwoman". Black women have been stereotyped since slavery to be "strong". Now remember in slavery black women didn't have black men around because the slave master separated the men from the women. Black women had to "take on" the leadership role in the black family due to this. And even today the "Superwoman" stereotype of black women exists today. I mean look at that woman on "The View" I cringe every time I see her because she's such a stereotype. Star Jones was also a stereotype of black womanhood when she was on the view. Why are black women stereotyped as being "loud", "aggressive", "hostile"?
I think there is more to black women then these simplistic stereotypes.

Also, again, when are black women allowed to be vulneable on TV or in movies?

[theblackactor.com]

I cosign with all of you guys.

As for being vulnerable on film, this is a rare occurence. We do fufu stuff. It just doesn't get intense for us.

@ LaJane

"Those stereotypes render us inhuman."

You are so right!!!

@ Kimi

"the only thing she didn't do was snap her fingers after she delivered every line."

LOL

Thanks, guys.

[invisiblewoman]

Agreed Kimi; that was the huge problem I had with the character that was Don Cheadle's girlfriend in "Talk To Me" played by Taraji P. Henson....NO ONE is sassy 100% of the tiem...she was even sassy when she was being serious...too much--it just wore you down!

[Angela]

Arg. This is why I have a grievance against both Mo'Nique and Jennifer Hudson. I cringed when Mo'Nique showed up on Ugly Betty playing the stereotypical overweight sassy black woman slobbering over a man and being oblivious to the fact that he doesn't want her. :eyeroll:

I also cringed when I watched "Dreamgirls" because Jennifer Hudson's "Effie" was such a stereotype. There was no depth to her at all (now I really blame that horrible screenplay adaptation), and that is why I don't feel she deserved to win her Oscar.

[theblackactor.com]

@ Angela

Yeah, I posted about Jennifer Hudson and that Oscar under the Oscar Chat category. I totally see your point!

[Nikki]

I honestly don't think you can blame Jennifer for being sassy in the movie since it was her first time and that WAS what the film called for. Whether someone is deserving or not deserving of an Oscar is based on Opinion. I think people pay too much attention to Awards shows etc. It's not that serious. Art shouldn't be a competion.