A local television news station recently reported O.J. Simpson’s Heisman Trophy was recovered. The problem of the report was the depiction of the black male. It displayed a video of O.J. Simpson in a court proceeding during a trial and brought up the case in which he was charged for murder, but did not show the picture of him at his acceptance ceremony of the Heisman Trophy at the podium, well-dressed in a navy blue suit and tie.
This was a deliberate attempt to ensure the viewer understood that he was a black male charged with murder, and that we should remember him as such. Recalling the case had nothing of relevance with the police finding his stolen 1968 Heisman Trophy, but had everything to do with making sure the television audience was filled with the propaganda that this is how black males should be portrayed in our society.
The wonderfully, talented Denzel Washington only received an award when he played the character of a gangster, crooked cop. He was only then recognized for his acting talent in this role, so it proved blacks are still subjected to be seen as “less than” no matter what occupation, degree held or celebrity status.
The media displays many black male sports celebrities with white women, rarely do they show “black on black love” in couples.
Movies like Roots, The Help, 12 Years a Slave, The Butler and The Color Purple get Golden Globe nominations and awards, only due to their depiction of African Americans in roles portrayed as housekeepers, slaves, mistresses, junkies, or crooked in their fields, drama-filled housewives, incoherent mothers, all booty and no brain, being inferior whereas their white counterparts hold prestigious character roles in law, medicine, and finance. Feel free to check out past and present Golden Globe and Emmy awards.
The drama television series, Scandal entertains masses with the portrayal of a young, black and educated mistress to a white and powerful and untouchable President (similar to the scandalous past of former President Thomas Jefferson) but we think the show is phenomenal, turning a blind eye to how black women are subliminally still being portrayed. While it is good to see prominent and independent black women on television (i.e. Housewives of Atlanta) but at what expense to our daughter’s mental and emotional state from the images seen and may be inclined to imitate?
African Americans, according to Black Television News Channel’s site, “continue to be subscription television’s most valuable customer.” They also reported, “in 2013, $2.24 billion was spent last year on African American targeted advertising…[and it worked because]… African Americans watched 31% more television, ordered more pay-per-view television and video on demand series… than any other segment of the U.S. population.”
Yes, we have made strides in getting more representation in the media, but it is not enough. Constant imagery of blacks in a negative light, reinforces the belief that it must be true. As LeVar Burton (the main character in Roots) said to the Los Angeles Times, “The inclusion of blacks…will not improve until we get into ownership,” only then will things change about the portrayal of blacks in America.”
