NEW YORK — Tyler Perry has gotten plenty of criticism from some who feel his popular movies don’t reflect well on the black community. But Al Sharpton says Perry’s critics are “proper Negroes” who don’t understand regular black folk.

Sharpton’s National Action Network honored the filmmaker Wednesday night in New York City at its second annual Triumph Awards with its Chairman’s Award.

Sharpton lauded the creator of movies including Madea’s Family Reunion and Why Did I Get Married, saying he “never lost his authenticity.”

Perry said he was grateful for the honor, and chastised those who have criticized his characters as stereotypes. He said he has the “ear of the people” and his critics need to stop running from “our parents and our grandparents and our uncles.”