Now You See Us, Now You Don't!

I read this article by Darlene Lewis titled, "How Blacks are Portrayed in the Media". I felt she had somehow harvested my thoughts and written them down scream by scream. Oh how tired I am of the misrepresentation of the African-American especially when it comes to cable and network TV. We are placed in these stereotyped roles as though no point of reference was available. Here's a thought, if you want to produce an African-American show why not consult them. Wow! In some cases we are presented as professional African-American women with no husband, or if we have one he is not presented as head of household. If it happens, that an African-American male head is presented he is killed off, I don't know, maybe he'll reappear on Cops-!! You know how African-Americans are portrayed there. We are rarely presented in a positive light and if we are it is from a comedic stand point. As though a successful African-American, male especially, is rare and/or unheard of. Quite the opposite is true and it needs to be seen. What is media afraid of?

In the last 10 years there really has not been any tasteful sitcoms of color since Cosby. That is a shame. Men and women of color have had to put up with powerless portrayals of others imagery of what their imagination can come up with for us. Part of the problem stems from the fact the we are not the owners of networks, nor are we for the most part the decision makers when it comes to programing. Wouldn't you know it. If we were the movers and shakers the very medium that at times spews the poison of racial profiling, could be used to tear down the walls of racial prejudices.

So What Rose? Well here's so what. You had best be careful when one idea labels a whole race of people. When it becomes socially acceptable to categorize groups based on another groups opinion or perception. Maybe your group is next. Maybe this week red heads will be the new dumb blonds. Take a look at Darlene Lewis' article:

(http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewshortstory.asp?id=25552#reviews) Get fired up then get to doing something about it. Then

Hola Rose!