Programming today does lack diversity, however, blacks are not the only ones underrepresented. Most television shows today doesn't portray true images of the majority. What I mean is that television does not display how diverse we really are. It does not display the many sizes, colors and personalities of the American people.
When I read the comments made on the article, I was disgusted and embarrassed because it is so sad that we still have not gotten past race. Everything always seems to evolve around the color of one's skin, why does it not evolve around skill? While there are a lot of talented minorities who are not casted in roles because they are not "white," it's not that actor/actress fault that they received the role. The fault lies with us and those writing the scripts. We support these television shows that do not properly represent us, we support shows that do not display real talent so therefore, we are to blame.
I also read how "blacks" have their own television stations such as BET and Centric. Seriously, BET and Centric does not represent the majority of African Americans. In my opinion, it demoralizes us. BET does not show traditional black shows like, The Cosby Show which epitomize what African Americans aspire to be. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Girlfriends, Family Matters and other shows that showed successful African American families. Instead, we are typecasts in movies like Baby Boy, which shows a black woman struggling to make ends meet, living in low income apartments and dealing with a cheating baby daddy. Shows such as Everybody Hates Chris which shows poor black people living in the ghetto. I want to see shows where blacks are successful.
Finally, I want to see shows that shows full figures women and men, dark skinned people, etc. Most shows you see on TV that do show blacks, they are sticking out like a sore thumb. Most of the shows has one or two blacks at the most. There are more talented blacks that those same few that are casted. Also, most shows that do display positive blacks are either obsolete or they are cut after only a year or two such as The Game, Lincoln Heights, Girlfriends, Bernie Mac Show and My Wife and Kids. We need to be able to choose what we watch instead of having to pay for shows we don't like.
check out original story:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/06/diversity-television.htmlAny comments and examples related to this blog is welcome. I want to create dialogue and hopefully a great discussion on the topic. Thanks!
6 comments:
I really enjoyed reading the article because this is a message that needs to mentioned to many people. Blacks are not portrayed in a positive manner like they use to be in the 90s. We need diversity on BET and Centric. As far as the diversity of the way women look, we need to showcase women in a wider view point. There are black women of all shades and sizes. That's what make african american people great. But, the media wants to show light skinned skinny women. There needs to be a change.
I agree with your opinion because it seems like most television shows based on African Americans nowadays are solely revolved around African American stereotypes. We are, as a race, downgrading our potential to improve ourselves with tv shows full of African American stereotypes, but it didn't used to be that way. Like you said, we did have tv shows like 'Family Matters,' Lincoln Heights,' and 'The Cosbys.' What happened to those shows that showed African Americans moving up in the world? Why were they cancelled? 'Theo' went from a show that portrayed successful African Americans in society on the 'Cosby show' to a show FULL of African American stereotypes on the show called 'Malcolm and Eddie.' Why? Why are television broadcasters sending out these downgrading images of us as a race instead of the more positive images? That is the question we need to propose to television broadcasters and to ourselves.
I too agree with this article when it comes down to how the media appeals to us that if its not gorgeous in hollywood then it lacks to be beautiful or entertaining. For many years it has always been a matter of race than a matter of talent. African americans in the eyes of the media wont sell nor come off as appealing as for as televison. They feel we as african american in which they stereotype just wont make it.
I think everyone has made a valid point and I believe that when African American's are portrayed in a movie, most of the time they are playing a role that isn't positive. For example: Halle Berry won an oscar for her role in Monster's Ball, Denzel for his role as a crooked cop, Monique for her role in precious. Even though all three stars are talented, they had to play stereotypical roles to actually get an oscar. Jamie Fox and other blacks in the past have been great actors but when they play positive roles, they don't get great reviews or they don't get the recognition they get when they play sterotypical roles. It's sad that we buy into this but we are the one's to blame because we don't push for better quality films nor do we push for diversity in films.
Monique has been a great example of a gorgeous plus size African American woman who is making herself known in the media.
My things is even shows that show positive images show negative images. The fact is, every race has its good and bad. We associate stereotypes as always being negative. However, some stereotypes can actually be positive. Like the black woman as a nuturer. I agree with the lack of diversity, however, we as consumers allow it. We dont demand more. We support reality TV, the ratings are through the roof. The continut to flood the TV screen with this because sadly this is what the majority wants to see.
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