I have seen more than once that many white people are more comfortable with black people who manifest black stereotypical traits than the ones who don't. A black man who talks sports or pussy or hip-hop or in bad grammar and thick "ebonics" will always be more popular than the black man who can talk about books or computers or even country music. A lazy black person will invoke much whining, but a fair amount of tolerance. It's nothing new, it's "how they are", and all is right in the world when you have to tell Leroy to get back to work. The universe is in order.

Denzel Washington became popular not because, he is a thorough actor who gives intense and thoughtful performances. He became popular because it was hip to like him. It was hip to like him because he was incredibly popular with black women. He was the replacement-Billy-Dee-Williams-black-heartthrob long before he was recognized for his acting chops. He is not dumb enough to be really likable to your average moviegoer. I have a hard time imagining a lot of dedicated white Denzel Washington fans. Not saying there aren't any, just not a lot. I would think that Danny Glover would have more.