This is the second trailer for The Help that we’ve seen, and it does nothing to dispel the notion that the movie, based on Kathryn Stockett’s “sensational” best-seller, is Kentucky-Fried Disneyfying the Civil Rights movement. The white women are shrill and racist; the black maids are patient and wise. And Emma Stone’s Skeeter character is courageous and understanding. Cue another Motown track.

Doesn’t mean I don’t want to see it. Doesn’t even mean I’m not looking forward to it, because I am. I just wish the “courage” spoken of in the movie were actually applied to the story and its tone. But then again, the idea is to make white folks feel good about the progress African Americans have made, not feel bad for making it necessary.

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Dustin is the founder and co-owner of Pajiba. You may email him here, follow him on Twitter, or listen to his weekly TV podcast, Podjiba.

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