Here's another one for the Internet Needs This file: a performance piece/how-to on the art of snapping with attitude from the 1990 documentary...thing, Tongues Untied. The movie is kind of a melting pot of performances like the one above, monologues, spoken word recitations and interviews (with minimal affectation, for a change), all attempting to sum up what it was like to be black and gay in America at the time it was made. It's definitely something. The above clip stands out as a highlight to the point that I can't believe it wasn't on YouTube before I uploaded it. There is a younger generation of sassy gay (and gay-friendly) men that is missing out on this important lesson. If a choreographed performance piece doesn't teach them, what will?
(Also check out the video in My hero section for another very brief clip from the film. I thought that one needed to stand on its own. If you don't feel like rolling your eyeballs up...you are reading the wrong post! But also, I'm putting it after the jump for your ease...)
This weblog is being featured on Five Star Friday - http://www.fivestarfriday.com/2009/11/five-star-fridays-edition-79.html
Posted by: schmutzie | November 13, 2009 at 11:58 AM
I can only snap with one hand... will that hurt my chances at being a snap diva?
(I am also not male, homosexual, African-American, nor fabulous, so I'm thinking the answer is a snaptastic YES.)
Posted by: Sara | November 13, 2009 at 12:01 PM
you continue to enrich my life.
Posted by: carmine | November 13, 2009 at 12:36 PM
haha love it
Posted by: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1442264406 | November 13, 2009 at 12:56 PM
As amusing as these clips are, the entire production of Tongues Untied was, as you wrote, a much more expansive – and groundbreaking – first-hand statement on the black, gay, male American experience in the late ‘80s (when it was made). The filmmaker, Marlon Riggs, was a professor at UC Berkeley and was black, male, gay, and HIV positive at the time he created Tongues Untied. He lived to see his film aired on PBS stations around the country in 1991, which was a remarkable feat during that era of “culture wars.”
I'm shocked this wasn't on youtube! Thanks for posting it there and elaborating here.
Posted by: Whitney | November 13, 2009 at 01:24 PM
This MAKES my day!
Posted by: Allen | November 13, 2009 at 01:33 PM
Grand Diva snap, FTW!
I'm going to start using that as part of regular conversation.
Posted by: Rudy | November 13, 2009 at 03:42 PM
Thanks for uploading these Rich! Yes, Marlon Riggs was a Bay Area fixture while I was growing up and he's one of my heroes. I miss him and his unique documentaries. I remember this snapology lesson very well--it enriched my life greatly. I also notice his Wikipedia page is woefully slender. I'm going to work on that.
Posted by: Miss Lisa | November 13, 2009 at 04:57 PM
Who knew that Don't Get It Twisted had such an impressive pedigree? (Sorry TyTy!)
Posted by: kellsbells | November 13, 2009 at 04:57 PM
Fab. U. Lous.
*snap*
Posted by: S. | November 13, 2009 at 05:21 PM
I watched this in my African Americans in Film and Video class last year. The professor chose this as the last movie in a course that showed Pinky, A Raisin in the Sun, Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song, and She's Gotta Have It, if that explains anything as to the importance the professor placed on Tongues Untied.
Posted by: Catie | November 13, 2009 at 05:33 PM
Made.my.day!
And as a BlackGayBayAreaBoy, i need to enroll in a class to learn how to snap with my right hand. STAT!
Posted by: Bri | November 13, 2009 at 09:05 PM
As a 22 year old black gay man who enjoys taking it up the rectum...and has had too many closeted "top" boys try to play me as a b***h...I'm sooo stealing the second quote (snap obviously included).
Posted by: David R. | November 13, 2009 at 09:56 PM
As a 22 year old black gay man who enjoys taking it up the rectum..
Posted by: ed hardy | November 14, 2009 at 02:28 AM
I watched Tongues Untied in my Queer Theory class last year. So, by the transitive property of S.N.A.P.S., WE STUDIED FOURFOUR IN QUEER THEORY.
Posted by: Jawn | November 14, 2009 at 10:48 PM
Whaaaaat?! Who taught these gay black brothers to snap? Was it Mom and Sis?
*snap*
Posted by: gee_gee | November 15, 2009 at 12:50 PM
I really like this article and have enjoyed reading. Nice article, love the post.
Posted by: ed hardy | November 16, 2009 at 01:51 AM
i watched this in a performance art class my freshman year of college. brings back good memories and also makes me feel old!
Posted by: k | November 16, 2009 at 02:00 PM
"It's definitely something" is a great descriptor.
I don't know why that made me laugh so hard.
I also have no idea how much you read the comments but you ALWAYS CHEER ME UP.
Posted by: k.west | November 16, 2009 at 06:24 PM
tongues untied used to play on repeat at the berekeley free clinic when i was an undergraduate at cal. i basically have this thing memorized because i was pretty trampy in college and went to get tested ever y 6 - 8 weeks.
Posted by: Weggiecam | November 18, 2009 at 10:21 AM
The guy in the blazer the Grand Snap Diva acts just like every other black modeling agent in NYC. Spot on!
Posted by: dirty blonde | November 18, 2009 at 11:43 AM
that you for posting this.. i have been schooled. luckily, i already am an ambidextrous snapper.
Posted by: LoveMyselfFirst | November 21, 2009 at 08:41 PM
Rich, so here's a stupid question (and from the way back machine) but do you think the Men on Film, Men on (whatever) guys from In Living Color with their snaps ("...yet unheard of Zorro snap in Z formation!" and "fab. u. lous.") were inspired by Tongues Untied?
Posted by: Kay | November 23, 2009 at 10:11 AM
Thanks Rich for this post. I so miss Marlon Riggs and these groups of guys that gave me voice when I was coming out in the 80's
Posted by: Joe Buck | November 24, 2009 at 05:10 PM
I really enjoyed this article.These clips are really amusing.
Posted by: Fit Gizmos | December 01, 2009 at 03:55 AM