A: We had no trouble, but I have no sympathy with unions. They've never done a thing for me. All they do is take dues, and make things expensive to do.
Q: If Super Fly now relates directly to people in the ghetto how are you going to keep that link as he grows' How would he relate to the black community.'
A: Simply by helping black people in his own way. Which is something he never did before actively. He's not one for waving flags or marching or to picket or sit in and that sort of thing. He's a bon. He doesn't move except with great passion.
Q: Do you as an artist feel a responsibility to participate in ventures which would aid the black community?
A: I taught theater in Harlem for two year's that's something I put my all behind. On the other hand I don't think most Americans understand about polities either. The deals of politics are made over bowls of calm chowder at Howard Johnson's By the time it gets disseminated to us through the papers thought the Vietnam War it's Big Brother time.
Neither Nixon nor McGovern is probably going to match for 125th Street.
But I don't understand why people care what actors think about politicians. It tells you something about the American political system that people care that John Wayne votes for President Nixon. It can't be a very sophisticated system. Now, I thought Adlai Setvenson was a bright man.
Q: This all says something about culture affecting politics as well People who ride the range with John Wayne might have fantasies to jibe with Nixon promises.
A: Look, the blacks are victims of the much larger problem of America today. We've actually become quite handy to some whites, and most blacks could stay up late dreaming about whites plotting against them. Actually if it wasn't us it would be somebody else. The machine keeps grinding.
Q: Just as you said it was important for blacks to have the some cultural whacks as a white macho, wouldn't you want, say, Ron O'Neal to have the same kind of political voice as John Wayne, by the same reasoning.
A: I'm apparently already there, whether I like it or not. But what the artist should do is define the ethics of a society. For me, at this point, the Vietnam War carries with it many more moral than political issues. Super Fly is a philosophic moral film.
You know, politics as a subject with black people is a very interesting phenomenon. The Black Caucus isn't endorsing anyone. It doesn't concern us We're still building the Black side. Which ever side it is I'm interested in any film which brings hope, encouragement, enlightenment, pride and warmth or any of the human qualities. That's all being black is in this country, being a person is--a country determined that you're never going to be a person. Blacks have to cut against the worst kind of stereotyping.
If change comes anywhere, it will, come in New York. If someone bumps me on a New York City subway, I know it's not because I'm black, but because my feet are the big. And individuals can move up quickly in the City. It's an arena; and the only problem the block man has is that his sword is slightly shorter, and the edge of the sword is not as sharp. That means you have to have to have a tougher arm.