By Lyndon Taylor
Protesters from several organizations, including the UNIA, People’s Operation for Progress, Operation Power, and CEMOTAP, recently staged a protest outside Madison Square Garden (MSG) to add their voices of dissent to Netflix’s animated reboot of the 1970s sitcom “Good Times,” executive produced by NBA star Stephen Curry and comedian Seth MacFarlane.
The reboot has ignited significant controversy and backlash from various communities and organizations, a year after it was released.
The Committee to Eliminate Media Offensive to African People (CEMOTAP) has been at the forefront of the opposition. They have labeled the reboot a “racist cartoon,” drawing parallels to historically offensive media portrayals.
In an open letter to Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos, CEMOTAP co-chairs Dr. James McIntosh and Betty Dopson condemned the show’s depiction of Black individuals as “unintelligent, violent, simian, and hypersexual,” criticizing its use of obscenity, slurs, and negative stereotypes. They urged the public to boycott Netflix until the show is removed from the platform.
“We can’t think of anything that is more offensive than having toddlers with machine guns throwing menstrual blood in children’s faces…all those are the types of things that are in this cartoon,” noted McIntosh.
According to Dr. James McIntosh, Co-Chair of CEMOTAP, they have exhausted all avenues and decided to take to the streets where they can have an impact on the bottom line.
“We’ve tried everything. We’ve written letters, we went to Netflix and now we’re attaching it to economic development,” McIntosh told Our Time Press.
The organization has also taken direct action by organizing demonstrations at Netflix’s corporate office in Manhattan and distributing leaflets to raise awareness about their concerns.
CEMOTAP’s protests extended to attending Stephen Curry’s basketball games in Los Angeles, Chicago, and now New York, aiming to hold him accountable for his involvement in the project.
The original series, which aired from 1974 to 1979, was lauded for its authentic portrayal of a Black family’s experiences in a Chicago housing project, addressing issues such as poverty, racial discrimination, and family dynamics.
The reboot, however, has been criticized for straying from these themes and perpetuating negative stereotypes.
Upon the release of the show’s trailer in March 2024, viewers expressed their dissatisfaction, leading to a significant disparity between likes and dislikes on various platforms. Critics argue that the reboot lacks the heart and authenticity of the original, with some describing it as “dated, humorless, and baffling.”
Prominent figures have also voiced their disapproval. Former New York Assemblyman Charles Barron described the show as “the most embarrassing depiction of the worst racist stereotypes you can think of,” calling on those involved, including NBA star Stephen Curry, and actor/comedian Seth MacFarlane, to be ashamed of their participation.
The controversy surrounding the “Good Times” reboot highlights the challenges of reimagining classic shows, especially when they touch upon culturally sensitive themes and the importance of preserving the original’s integrity.