Latifah Gets Welfare, First-Look Deals

The fact that Queen Latifah is doing Welfare Queen is somewhat disappointing. Although it may be comical to make a movie about a woman who was able to cheat the system to create a little fortune for herself, I doubt this film will do much to counter the image that people on welfare are just lazy good-for-nothings.

Most importantly, assuming the lead is a black female, I doubt this movie will do anything to counter the false stereotype that the majority of people currently on welfare are black women. In fact, white women benefit most from welfare

I know this isn't an 'issue' blog, but I'm concerned about the types of movies that Queen Latifah is making. Chicago was a good role for her, but 'Bringing Down the House'?... that was trash (in my humble opinion).

Where's the Queen Latifah talking about U.N.I.T.Y. - bring her back!!!

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I am also a black woman who is a very concerned about our Queens next project. I hope it doesn't feed into the stereotype that I've had to deal with most of the time. Please Latifah do us justice.

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Why is it that almost every time a black person (male or female)is successful in the entertainment business and wants to branch out creatively, the public expects them to refrain from being black or pretend not to be? Noone was disappointed when Charlize Theron portrayed a real-life serial killer (not all white women are serial killers), nor did they object to Jamie Fox portraying Ray Charles (not all musicians are adulterous drug addicts). I agree that 'Bringing Down the House' was not a great film, but every actor that's ever won an Oscar has been in at least one bad film-some in several. I can't wait to see 'Welfare Queen' and all of Latifah's upcoming productions. I look forward to watching them with an open mind. I have much respect for this outstanding, talented, hardworking, beautiful black woman. I'm proud of you Queen, go get yours!

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Personally, it does not matter if a black or a white women is playing the lead, society has the wrong opinion of those who are on welfare. It is important for society to stop slinging the stero typical attitudes and help others. However, by the same token those who don't help themselves need to challenged to get off their butts. Queen has done a lot of positive things for the black community so why is she being held to a higher standard than if a white women was playing the role? It does not matter what race you are, a person should be held to the same standards.

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ilove the queen and i think that making a movie about the welfare system would be great because people have put down the system for so long it is terrible people will see what happens to people who try to cheat the system i think i will love it

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the movie, and i say that lightly the movie will most undoubtly bring contorversy be it a white woman or a black .but you know as well as i a black women will bring even more publicity to this film,but we must remember the role is nothing to proud of its the role of a criminal.selfishness and greed is the motivation of this character and should not reflex the actress or any other black sister who's honest.

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its a true story who else would be playing a black woman? britney spears? it happens to be a drama not a comedy and its a very interesting story. i remember when this happened. queen latifah is a very gifted actress and she will fit the part perfectly.

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Everything that the Queen has ever layed hands on have turned to gold. But, I have to admit that I have my doubts about this film. First, 'Soul Plane' now 'Welfare'. I can only hope for the best.

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I certainly understand the apprehension concering Queen Latifah portraying a "Welfare Queen". The black population has worked long and hard to break away from stereotypes. Black women, in particular. I grew up in a mixed, though predominantly Mexican-American community. I grew up with families who are generational welfare recipients, who know the system inside and out. It would be really nice to see a movie that showed how a person from the underclass, without respect to race (maybe a group of women, yeah! Maybe some men, too!), was able to pull herself up and out of it, and better her life, and the lives of her children. It's all fun and good to make fun of life sometimes, but with issues as serious as these, how about a message of hope, instead of a black version of Joe Dirt.

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I'm not sure how I feel about Latifah playing this role, my comment was about the "bringing down the house movie". That movie was funny as h***. To this day if someone shows me a picture, I look for others in the background and will even ask, "Which one is you".

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exactly. u r so right. this is a movie based on A TRUE STORY, the woman who happened to be the Welfare Queen was black, so who else but a black actress should play her. it is also NOT A COMEDY, so it's not like she's promoting, scamming the system, she just portraying what someone actually did. i do understand how people get upset when black AND/OR latino actors portray these stupid stereotypical roles, but this is not one of them.

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In my humble opinion,this is why no one knew she had a production company for 17 years. That way she could concentrate on producing GOOD music and movies and not be burdened with the race card. Leave her alone, let her do thing. Regardless of my feelings about her(really positive), I will go and see it.
If you don't like the premise of the movie or the actors or whatever don't go see it. However it is wrong to suggest that this movie shouldn't be made or that she souldn't make it.

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who are we to judge the queen ? she has her own film company its not like this is a role thats was assined to her its like she's producing as well as starring in this film.i for one don't care what society has to say if a person needs welfare okay but if a person abuses the system they deserve to be put in jail as i said before they are considered criminals, not poor people in need. and that makes it hard for people who are in need to get the help they need. this film is also going to reflex upon that i hope, as well as show people that wefare fraud is a crime and that you will be punished.so don't look at the glamour in this film,look at the consenquences,so don't be to quick ti judge the system thats helping many families who really need them.

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Reading this article was a let down because Queen Latifah used to represent a defiant strong WOMAN period. However, lately she has been starring in roles where she is quite simply "cooning and buffooning" and have fed straight into the stereotypes of what society wants people to believe about the black community. I am sick and tired of it. Where are the real voices that are going to lead the public in the right direction? Queen, you took on this role in the beginning... now that you are comfortable, what made you stop? Did you think that just because you are African-American and successful you alone should be symbolism of the black community? What are you basing your success on currently? Is it what colonialism dictated many years ago about who minorities are? It just reeks of a let down.

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people wouldnt have the wrong preception of black or white people on welfare if there werent so many out there just poppin out kids to get that monthly check. these women need to get up off there asses and support there children that they helped create. most of these women just go out and sleep around and dont even know who the fathers of their children are. they dont even have custody of other children they have and yet they still keep havin more just so they dont have to work and can get money. that is sad. good for queen latifah if she wants to make a movie making fun of welfare mothers.

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lighten up its just a movie!

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I love Dana Owens/Queen Latifah. Whatever she does will be incredible. She is portraying the role of a woman who committed a crime,who happens to be black. The story is TRUE, regardless of the woman's color. The QUEEN has become a serious actress and I applaud her in everything that she does. ALL HAIL THE QUEEN!

Those of you who worry about the color issue please let it go...please. Those of you who worry about african americans being portrayed poorly for those who are on welfare...that will happen regardless, they(caucasins) do think of us as being ignorant and on welfare they do not pay attention to the facts and who is really on the system so let it go. Simply show and prove...folks will talk let them.

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It is the common thing that hollywood does you get an an a-list actor or actress and the actress themselves fell they have gotten away from their "core" audience and began doing sub-pore roles. Look at Halle Berry she was making great independent type quality movies until the audience wanted her to show her true "talent" in Latifah case her talent is her voice if she may fell if she continue to do quality movies where she sings are uses her voice talents her "black" audience will leave her. Being African American myself I want the Latifah from such movies as Chicago and Set it Off a Latifah who combines those two characters in one project will shine with both "races" and will not hurt the name Latifah but will create the name Dana Owens.

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The Goverment can't afford to keep paying people to sit on there asses anymore. A friend of mine was on welfare and had to get off her ass and get a JOB because they threw her off of it after 2 years now which i think is great!!! I dont think anyone benifits from being on welfare black or white. You can make more money getting off your ass and working for a living. And for Neil with the comment about white woman bennifitng from it more.... Have you ever been to a welfare office? I was with my friend and let me tell you. It is not what u believe...

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