"Set It Off" is one of the most thrilling movies I have ever seen. It is exciting, passionate, and action-packed. But, like all things, it is not flawless. In the wake of Proposition 209, the welfare bill, unemployment/underemployment, and increasingly ruthless capitalism, we are ANGRY! We are DESPERATE! We feel ROBBED! MANY of us can relate to robbing back...

I am deeply wounded by the "great white hope" theme that permeates nearly every Hollywood film. Even when it is directed by a Black man. Why did the lead cop have to be Caucasian? Why did he have to live? Why did he have to be made angelic in the end?

From "Coming To America" to "Boomerang" to "The Walking Dead" , colorism rules at the movies. Jada Pinkett is a beautiful woman. But, so is Vivica Fox. Vivica is even more beautiful and darker. Is this why Jada is the sex symbol, the most noble, tender, victorious and wise, and Vivica is not?

Hollywood is whitewashed. The eurocentrism of Africans contributes to the color scheme. Why can't Blair Underwood be a graduate of Howard? Why can he not woo Jada by cooking her Jerk Chicken or Ground Nut Stew? Why could he not take her to an afrocentric event in custom made African garb? Racist whites already equate goodness with themselves. It is especially painful to witness when we do the same.

I am appalled by the evil social worker and police woman being sisters! In the REAL world, these roles are most often played by white females or men. Why did the police woman have blonde hair? How many Black female social workers would be unable to empathize with baby-sitter woes?

It was realistic to witness the betrayal by "brothers": A gaybashing weasel who celebrates his stolen fortune by buying a white woman. A confused and stupid young man who callously lies, unconcerned about what his lies cost to a sister who adores him. Criminally lost thugs who sabotage the safety of all who befriend them.

Queen Latifah was shockingly superb!!! She earned an Oscar. I may be biased as a lesbian who is PROUD to see a lesbian character given humanity on screen. But, sexism also rules at the movies. Is she so butch because she is the heroine? Must we be manly to be heroic? I speak as a femme warrior. We do not have to be manly to be soldiers!

I was emotionally devastated by the conclusion of this film. Only the lightest-skinned star saw victory. This film did not soften any blows. The destruction and desperation are raw. Perhaps even too much so. I fell in love with all four women. I was exhausted and depressed by their thorough demise.

I long to see a film where Black female stars are tough without tragedy, daring without stupidity, sexy without eurocentrism, and victorious without weakness. "Set It Off" is not that film. But it is close enough to "take it to the bank"...

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