A Piece Of The Action "Attention Span"

Clip form 1978 classic "A Piece of the Action." This scene features a young Sheryl Lee Ralph going off...

[@619TOUGHLADY]

Wow, she went off. Sheryl Lee Ralph is amazing in this scene. I felt bad for that teacher.

[@viewmaster2027]

The Jamerican came out of Sheryl Lee Ralph. I just need her to repeat every word in Jamaican Patois, that would be another classic.... Lmao! 🤔

[@LETSTALKABOUTIT607]

Should of gave her a Oscar.

[@theduchess5284]

I agree. Sheryl's acting skills were superb. But you know the game...

[@Jaime-u5m]

By whom, the people/system she was talking about??? Often one has to play game/kiss asz to get decorated. Like a man said, "YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH" said truth,,,.

[@ghanasoul]

when i first saw this scene, my mouth dropped. Sheryl Lee Ralph owned this scene! Great directing by Mr. Sidney Poitier.

[@Cookie120171]

Miss Thomas met the “right” ghetto person that day 😂😂😂😂

[@Lashid4u]

"I know a POVERTY PIMP when I see one.." lol & smh

[@Zlogical1]

There is a pile of em!

[@drtroyturner7464]

Lashid4u As good as that telling off was, it was helped by Ms. Thomas not being a good game day coach able to readjust on the fly independent of her class notes. Poitier's character is much more poised as we later see. Even here Thomas could have calmly explored the child's allegations without being shook. Would you prefer a white teacher do this job? What would be your proposed solution? I got off to a wrong start so how do you propose we move forward? What do you say that we explore your grievances in private without the peanut gallery in the cheap seats....I mean audience.

[@bokay3900]

Love me sum Sheryl Lee Ralph!

[@rebel5813]

There are and have been poverty pimps who are self serving. Barbara was a Fool. Ms Thomas was actually trying to help those kids. Master the game or it will master you.

[@drtroyturner7464]

Katt Williams vs Wanda. The Original.

[@slimpickens01]

😂😂😂

[@dlass7710]

damn she called the teacher out on that

[@drtroyturner7464]

I ain't ever gonna get a job with people like you around. "Whateva. See you tomorrow. Or not. Your choice." Actually when I worked for Corrections and I responded flippant like that The prisoners loved talking amongst themselves See? He don't care. But given the alternative of allowing one to eat you up like Barbara, this teacher would have been better disengaging and leaving students to brew amongst themselves and speculate that she is an ice queen as demonstrated by her disengaging tactic just then. Oh well. She should've never allowed the focus to be on her. I like how Poitier showed the antithesis of this weak teacher in the Principal Nichols character. You know if Barb had used the same sililoque on Denise Nichols, her hip character would've responded "Cute, witty, somewhat backward and primitive. I'm done here. We can continue our talks when YOU come around."

[@gotmypearls]

Precisely! While the teacher shouldn't have said anything publicly that might humiliate her, Barbara's assessment was all the way wrong. That lady could have taken a job elsewhere and still gone home to her $15K and "1st Negro in my neighborhood home" but instead she was there, working with children that very few other people cared about. I taught for 2 decades--you aren't going to make me feel bad because I chose to succeed in school and earn my degrees.

[@snacks123]

get her! LOL :)

[@pmelady]

Sheryl Lee Ralph. She was kind of thick back then.

[@anthonychoyce6496]

Classic

[@dwainwalton]

LOL........MRS,THOMAS!

[@DavidRichardson95]

From Barbara Hanley to Barbara Howard. Congrats to Ms. Sheryl taking home her first Emmy after 40+ years in show business. 💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@MadAngel209]

That was Sheryl Lee Ralph's 1st major film. She was 18 at the time. Sydney Poitier even gave Ernest Thomas (What's Happ'ning) some exposure.

[@justaloe]

I remember watching this scene when it came out and he whole theatre went quit. I was just a kid like 11 yo. I felt so bad for Ms. Thomas. I think we all did. It's not that what Sheryl said was wrong(even Ms. Thomas acknowledged in a later scene that she kind right) It's just the devastating way that she said it. Damn!

[@Laura-sg6ss]

It was necessary.

[@alexcoleman9497]

Was Barbara right? No barbara was short sighted..couldnt see the teacher was there trying to help, while probably making mimium wage.. however Barbara was cold blooded like rick james.. LMAO

[@sirresebethea]

That Part💯💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@TheVee909]

she still looks the same, not a crack in that good back skin.

[@drtroyturner7464]

TheVee909 *black

[@sherrydashiell2408]

This Scene was hard hitting from both sides! it was well done❤

[@510Mrniceguy]

Damn...she told it like it is!

[@goodjuju320]

In all fairness Miss Thomas was degrading her and probably deserved what she got. She reacted that way, because she knew most of it was true.

[@sirresebethea]

True but there is way you can grab the students attention to see that they don’t have to remain the same

[@craigshields8806]

She didn’t deserve it. She was teaching in the inner city when she could have been elsewhere. Also, watch the scene. Barb definitely wasn’t paying attention! Sydney came in after and laid down the law.

[@MundiaKamau]

@@craigshields8806Barack Obama worked in the inner city, became a US Senator, and then became US President. How many inner city folks did Barack Obama take with him to the White House? Democracy has become a sham, if ever it was real in the first place. Regards, Michael M. Kamau, Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa, 29th March 2024.

[@craigshields8806]

@@MundiaKamau Dude, mind the business that pays you. We'll focus on America!

[@hodgej]

The only video, I know of. That has 0 dislikes. I quote this movie out all the time t to test my family out. Especially, "My ass bleeds for you!".

[@colinblackman720]

Every time I watch this it brings water to my eyes. From the first time I saw the movie to this present time. I just love this scene, reality kicks in.

[@davielove11]

Did she imply that the teacher was a closeted lesbian? ...by saying a man or "somebody" to get her through the night.

[@MadAngel209]

davielove11, she just pretty much told her that she needs some dick.

[@slimpickens01]

😂😂

[@films5555]

Sheryl stated actresses use her great monologue to audition for acting school or acting roles.

[@MundiaKamau]

No kidding?🙂Understandable though, very understandable. Great scene, excellent acting.

[@FitnessFocusedSistah]

I been loving Sheryl Lee Ralph since seeing this scene when it came out & saw this as a child! 😍💜😍

[@kevonedmonds]

I find something new every time I watch this. The nice student in the front seat (Not Raj) co-signed "Yea"all loud to the" what you need is a man" which is messed up because he typically liked the teacher and had no problem with her. It is all typical and comical though. Teacher is frazzled and Poitier is the antithesis of frazzled. He could have set them straight right there, but he buys his time and lets them have it a few clips later.

[@rickeygeetv6197]

I felt this scene from both perspectives. Sheryl Lee Ralph was right though. She felt attacked and she stood up for herself.

[@Jaime-u5m]

Sheryl spoke for all of us poor Black/Brown folks. She spoke it masterfully. WE ARE ALL BEING PLAYED!

[@MundiaKamau]

@@Jaime-u5mAll folks all over the world are being played, regardless of race.

[@pointhimout]

AND SCENE. now that's a monologue. Sheryl Lee Ralph got in that ass. "my ass bleeds for you." wow. This is one of my favorite movies of all time because of this scene alone.

[@Jaime-u5m]

CLASSIC!

[@MundiaKamau]

It wasn't even a monologue actually, it was a dressing down, a brutal dressing down. Great scene, powerful scene, excellent acting.

[@terracottawellness1561]

CONGRATULATIONS Ms. Sherly Lee Ralph on your EMMY AWARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@kevonedmonds]

Wish I could get the bleeped out version of this. I want to show it to adults on how to deal with difficult people and I dont want the already finicky group turning their noses up. Poitier is too cool and shows how to handle Barbara with the less is more.

[@LilGabe504]

The audio changed at 1:41. She actually said "fuckin", but because of the movie being rated PG, they had to change it. Btw, I'm 18 years old, and this is one of my favorite movies from 1977.

[@adrina911]

I thought she said “You Shucking?”

[@TheCaliforniaHP]

There's so much more to this than people realize, I always chime in here every few years on this. The educational disparity is larger than what's on display. The ignorance on both sides, for a middle class black not to recognize the true idea of never having privilege, while the lower class black not to recognize that these are the only people trying to give a damn. It's a rough card, every day I do it, but I now I live in my students' community

[@sirresebethea]

That Part💯💯💯💯👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@shoogafoot1204]

This is one of SLR's most powerful.scenes of her career!!!! This!!!!

[@sharks27]

I would like to make a similar speech to every republican in congress.

[@slimpickens9135]

she went off on the teacher....i felt really bad for her but barbara did make a few points but still she didnt have to take it that far especially bringing up the vibrater

[@kimberlyjames4648]

I have always loved this scene. Barbara was right. It's still true today.

[@Jaime-u5m]

It's very alive today and will continue thriving unless we wake up and confront it.

[@Mr100690]

From "A Piece of the action (1977)" to the Dream Girls on Broadway to Moesha to Abbott Elementary to the 2023 Super Bowl . Ms. Sheryl Lee Ralph always reppi.

[@user-qj3jz9ho1h]

I think that movie is called; A PIECE OF THE ACTION, I remember going to movie with my boyfriend in 1976 when I first saw this. SIDNEY POITIER, BILL COSBY, DENISE NICHOLAS, HOPE---- I forgot her last name.

[@Jaime-u5m]

Oh, where has time gone? I remember seeing it at the theater, I was 17.

[@terrybradford418]

Barbara could have been A damn good attorney!!

[@TheCarstarks]

Goddamn, she told that uppity ass teacher OFF big time ! Barbara spoke the damn truth, even if she never told it again in her life ! Umphf ! !

[@sirresebethea]

She bought her down to her level which she shouldn’t have

[@Tab1975]

It took YEARS! BUT HER BRILLIANCE HAS BE AWARDED!

[@68NYC]

This scene was too real... Recently revisited the movie and it was cool to see the positive changes.

[@rositawatts0826]

Can you do the work are you dependable?

[@battlegirldeb]

I have a theory that Barbara Hanley and Barbara Howard are the same person.

[@JeffTheGent]

SLR probably didn’t have to eat for another day after chewing all that scenery. 😁

[@QWOMYN]

SHE GOT HER EMMY TONIGHT 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@dlastqueen]

There are certain things a teacher shouldn't say to a student in front of the whole class...girl went overboard on her...had her crying....

[@bboyslim304]

what do you want to know tell me about the program program aint shit. lol

[@ValleyGyrlTV]

Damn! I haven't seen this in years. Now I know that's Sheryl Lee Ralph. Wow!

[@amadah3]

I love love this movie!!

[@divasag601]

Well well well... look at Barbara the teacher now! #abbottelementary

[@The1baddman]

TV One Unsung Hollywood did an episode on Sheryl Lee Ralph last week.

[@wrinthiakendrick3595]

Sheryl went to da bridge and RIPPED it!

[@AlanLiddell]

WOW!!!

[@wteva99]

CLASSIC!!

[@latraviusblanton9390]

she wasn't lying tho💯

[@drtroyturner7464]

Tomorrow my Presentation to teachers is on Kids who won't listen. I don't trust my ability to turn down volume to conceal N word and don't want one greedy decision (by me) to haunt an otherwise riveting and professional hour. I am using Esther sassing her stepmom, Damien in History class and of course Will pushing Sean's buttons.

[@garryblanson]

@ itsthejoint,, go to you tube and key in : apiece of the action " who knows the program "

[@bokay3900]

Check out Sheryl Lee Ralph in "The Neighborhood". Damn she was/is hot!

[@NormanHonore]

WOO

[@redzoom7857]

SAVAGE reading! 🙄

[@MundiaKamau]

Great scene, powerful scene, excellent acting. Regards, Michael M. Kamau, Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa, 29th March 2024.

[@momcolorloveallcolors474]

LOVE LOVE LOVE

[@laromearm]

Great Dialogue between two good actresses Sheryl Lee Ralph nailed that's actually some of the best acting I've seen her do ..

[@MundiaKamau]

More like a monologue actually. Sheryl Lee Ralph does virtually all the talking. It wasn't even a monologue actually, it was a dressing down, a brutal dressing down. Great scene, powerful scene, excellent acting.

[@georgealexander7976]

SHERYL NOW HAS MY ATTENTION❤❤❤

[@BlackedOutExcalibur]

That was slick some of the worst crying I seen ever lol

[@faronzeno4826]

where can i get this movie or watch it?

[@slimpickens9135]

Faron Zeno firestick

[@drtroyturner7464]

Faron Zeno Buy a Kodi box or stick. They are almost exhaustive of every movie made. You can put in the title search or put in names of any of the 4 actors movies not tv and it will appear amongst many others. $85 up front but soon is paying for itself. I ditched cable years ago.

[@shoniq75]

ooooh...sheryl lee would cringe at that scene now...she is saved...lol

[@tshakashakur2220]

Really??