Todd Boyd

Latest Quotes

Critical Studies professor Todd Boyd  was quoted in the New York Times about biographical films on musicians. “In America, when you talk about films about musicians, we have reached a point where there’s almost a formula you plug in,” Boyd said. “Somebody who came from humble beginnings, who is innovative, who’s a visionary, who has exceptional talent. They succeed against the odds, then once they succeed, oftentimes the pathology and dysfunction from their childhood comes back and takes over their life. In some cases they get redeemed, in other cases not,” he noted.  “And if you’ve seen one of these, you’ve seen a million.”
 
Boyd was also quoted in The Mercury News about Tyler Perry’s films and plays, which have been criticized for promoting African American stereotypes. “Minstrel shows are probably more progressive than Tyler Perry’s representation,” Boyd has told the Associated Press.  He further elaborated about Tyler Perry in the Detroit News, “I find his work to be quite stereotypical and ultimately a rehash of some of the worst images of African Americans in history,” Boyd said. “He's been very successful for himself, but his success does not translate beyond that,” Boyd added. 

Associated News:	Enticing Extras SCA Historians Share Their Perspectives On Screen Gems Of The Past
Associated Person:	Todd Boyd