Beyonce Knowles Should Not Portray Angela Davis

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We, the undersigned, are opposed to the idea of R&B singer/actress Beyonce Knowles playing the role of Angela Davis in any biographical film portraying Dr. Davis' life. On February 5 2009, the online version of Hollywood Reporter (an esteemed print publication that follows the film business) quoted French/Angolan producer/director Rachid Bouchareb as considering Beyonce Knowles for the lead role in his planned Angela Davis biographical film. We believe this is a mistake that Rachid Bouchareb must reconsider and avoid. Dr. Davis is an iconic figure in the struggle for equality for all and against the forces of oppression that would exploit divisiveness for profit and control. We would like a serious actress with significant training in the art of acting to portray this powerful role and we feel Beyonce lacks the gravitas to successfully portray Dr. Davis. Further, we feel the music of Ms. Knowles is in large part not in line with the feminist tradition of Dr. Davis' life and work (with due acknowledgement of elements of Ms. Knowles' work that arguably attempt to empower women and challenge patriarchy, where some may debate that such themes are present).

Of equal importance, we feel there are many talented but "undiscovered" black actresses who would do a wonderful job in this role who deserve an opportunity to showcase their talent in such a historic film, should we all be blessed to see this story brought to the screen.

336 Signatures

  • Glenn Macrae
    • Comments
    • wooooo
  • Dana P. Childs
    • Comments
    • Co-sign!!
  • Mental Salvation Radio
    • Comments
    • Hell no!! get Anglea Bassett
  • Melissa
    • Comments
    • Beyonce should not portray Angela Davis. This would disrespect the legacy of a powerful and important woman. Beyonce is not qualified and she stands for nothing. Please do not make the mistake of giving this role to Beyonce. You will lose a viable Black female audience. Trust.
  • N. Otulana
    • Comments
    • Pick a REAL actress
  • IntrospectiveGoddess
    • Comments
    • I hope this will do some good
  • Charla W
    • Comments
    • Picking that bad actress would be straight up disrespectful.
  • M Mayes
  • Walidah Dailey
  • Aidin Massoudi
    • Comments
    • aidinmassoudi@gmail.com
  • CaShawn A. Thompson
    • Comments
    • В
  • Randa Powell
    • Comments
    • She's is not the right person for this part.
  • Michelene Irving
  • Eric Williams
  • Beyonce Knowles
  • Tonja Stidhum
    • Comments
    • This is a insult, to say the least!
  • Vanessa Holman
    • Comments
    • no disrespect to Beyonce she is an actress in her own right; however, there are other thespians who would be a better pick for this role.
  • Kathryn Marcus
    • Comments
    • It would be a slap in the face to her legacy.
  • Victoria Tilford
    • Comments
    • really?!
  • Ava Carter
    • Comments
    • Please do not disgrace the legacy of Angela Davis by having her portrayed by Beyonce Knowles. Do not dumb down your production with any actress devoid of acting talent and professional training.
  • Curt Francisco
  • Christianna Colbert
    • Comments
    • Love ya, Beyonce, but... no. Love ain't enough, baby.
  • Zakiyyah Francisco
  • Laura Martfeld
  • Dewaynia
    • Comments
    • please don't disrespect Angela Davis like this.
  • Melissa Magal
    • Comments
    • Agree with petition.
  • Dereka Ross
  • Rebecca Tilling
  • Angela V.Gerena-Diaz
  • laura sullivan
    • Comments
    • taraji p. henson, for example, would be great
  • Ebonee Green
    • Comments
    • Beyonce may be beautiful, but an Actress she is not. We are a diverse people and America is full of fantastic, out of work, beautiful actresses. Please lay off the Beyonce Kool-Aid...evn thought Single Ladies IS jamming.
  • denise Leora madre
    • Comments
    • no offense to the true talents of Ms. Knowles, but this role should go to a more seasoned actress.
  • Moca McCarty
    • Comments
    • Dear God, no one deserves such disrepect - especially not an amazing, strong, intelligent woman like Angela Davis. Beyonce' is the polar opposite on many levels- a talentless, brainless piece of eye candy. This is NOT Angela Davis!!
  • Rosina T Memolo
    • Comments
    • В
  • MJ
    • Comments
    • Hell to the no!
  • Jamilah Lemieux
    • Comments
    • The mere suggestion of letting Beyonce play sister Angela is horrifying.
  • WB Miles
  • Josephine Poston
    • Comments
    • For thelove of the art and the Black movement do not be responsible for this misgiving.And if you I promise you I will campaign to boycott the film!!
  • ej murray
    • Comments
    • Do not allow this travesty to happen!
  • Elizabeth Geddes
  • Cecile Savage
    • Comments
    • chose an actress who demonstrates the same belief as Angela Davis
  • Chessie R. Jones
  • Randilyn Gilliam
  • Nathaniel Thomas
    • Comments
    • Angela Davis was an important -enough figure in history that Black people in particular will flock to see a film about such a meaningful historical figure. Beyonce, as great as she is as a singer ,does not fit this role. It is well beyond her limited acting skills, lacking in credibility, and would do little to bring the real Angela Davis to life as a serious film. Serious people who are knowledgeable about Ms. Davis would find such a decision laughable. Please Hollywood, don't blow this one trying to get a"name" that lessens rather than enhances the movie.
  • David Lemieux
    • Comments
    • Don't let this happen!!!
  • Erik Childress
  • Sherri Young
    • Comments
    • sherbear630@ameritech.net
  • Elliott
    • Comments
    • There are already real black actresses out w/star power
  • Kay Robinson
    • Comments
    • Prevent this travesty!
  • Aurelia Young