Rod and Karen discuss the 1961 classic black cinematic event, “A Raisin In The Sun.” We also respond to a LOT of listener feedback.
Spoiled Reviews: (Protected Content)
SMR 229: A Raisin In The Sun
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Rod and Karen,
I loved your review and your pointing out the treatment of the women in the play. In all my years of reading the play and seeing the film, so many people overlook this. I for one never thought naming a character Beneatha was a mistake. I always thought it was supposed to refelect the status of black women within society and within the black family unit. I too always thought Walter Lee was ain’t ish and was written to be ain’t ish. I always thought that it was Hansberry’s (who is rumored to have been a lesbian who had to hide her true identity in order to have access to employment opportunities) subversive commentary. I loved the acting and the fact that the majority of the cast were in the original New York run of the play.
Hansberry truly was an amazing talent, whose race, gender and early death prevented her from receiving the acclaim she deserved. Knowing that one of my favorite Nina Simone songs (To be Young, Gifted and Black) was written to honor Hansberry always touches me.
Hi again Rod and Karen,
Falling into the realm of ain’t life peculiar, no sooner had I posted a comment for If Beale Street Could Talk where I mentioned A Raisin in the Sun being inspired by James Baldwin’s poem, A Dream Deferred, when the SMR for said inspiration appeared on my feed. So, I’ll likely be back with a comment once I listen to this cast.
Hey, I’m sure Rod and Karen will catch it, but “A Dream Deferred” was Langston Hughes. Yeah, I’m being the #actually nigga, but the gay black English major who did his independent study on Baldwin in me had to say something. lol. Love to everybody.
Forest,
I realized my mistake after I posted, but thanks for the correction.