’Step Sisters’ draws backlash over humor

Charles Stone III ... not funny?

ATLANTA: The dance comedy “Step Sisters” won’t be in theaters until next year, but the film is already drawing a backlash from the African-American community because of subject matter deemed racially offensive by some.
The plot centers on a black sorority sister named Jamilah, who in order to get into law school, has to teach black Greek-stepping to a group of white sorority sisters whose charter is about to be revoked.
On its face, the story line suggests a dubious effort to get some laughs out of racial stereotyping and cultural appropriation. But the film’s participants believe the public is getting the wrong impression. “I think people will come away being pleasantly surprised that the take-away message is actually the opposite of white people culturally appropriating the black culture,” said Megalyn Echikunwoke, who plays Jamilah.
“The way it was presented to me, it just put me off,” said Candice Frederick, a film blogger. “A lot of my readers and followers kind of felt similarly, and a lot less diplomatic. ... There are a lot of (black) people not excited about this movie.”
One of the film’s producers, Lena Waithe, who is black, has responded that the film isn’t an attempt to portray black fraternities or sororities in a negative light.
When director Charles Stone, who is black, was first pitched the film, he was opposed to helming it. But after he read Hayward’s script, he liked how the story explored the gray areas of crossing cultures, the fear of cultural appropriation and humor in racial stereotypes.
Stone expects some initial backlash, saying the hook line will “immediately get people up in arms.” But he said black Greek-stepping is the “perfect” stage to tackle racism and discrimination.