On Mammy and Ma: Why Tate Taylor’s “Ma” is really “The Help, Part 2” and Why You Should Avoid It

by Max S. Gordon

When I think about myself
I almost laugh myself to death.
My life has been one great big joke,
A dance that’s walked,
A song that’s spoke,
I laugh so hard I almost choke,
When I think about myself.

Seventy years in these folks’ world
The child I works for calls me, Girl
I say, Yes Ma’am for working sake
I’m too proud to bend and too poor to break.
So, I laugh until my stomach ache,
When I think about myself.

My folks can make me split my side
I laughed so hard I nearly died,
The tales they tell sound just like lying
They grow the fruit but eat the rind.
I laugh until I start to crying,
When I think about my folks.

“When I Think About Myself” — Maya Angelou (1928–2014)

“Own all of your memories and experiences, even if they were traumatic. Own It! The…