So you think The Help is a good movie.
Stockett may have used her story, but the argument seems weak and could be applied to any number of people of color in the region at that time. She definitely took the name of Ms. Cooper, but the story is just a story. So maybe some compensation is in order, but that’s not what I wish to address.
A work of fiction about people who were oppressed during a horrible time in American history is not exploitation. It is fiction. It is something about which the author felt inspired to write.
I read The Help, and while I thought it was good (not great), I thought that the issue of race was dealt with compassionately. The novel takes place during a shameful part of our history (one that wasn’t by any means a short period of time) but still was loving.
Next you’re going to tell me that Harriet Beecher Stowe was exploiting slavery. (Note: Uncle Tom’s Cabin certainly did more for the abolitionist movement than The Help, does for race relations, but not every book can be so powerful).
(via espritfollet)
