Black Misportrayals
Essay title: Black Misportrayals
I watch television and listen to the radio on a daily basis and am shocked by the portrayal of black America. Media makes it seem as if the black population is fine and content with the image that is constantly being displayed for the rest of the world. The most shocking thing is that the controllers of the black image aren’t black people of even from the black community. The oppression of black people by white elites still exists today and needs to be brought to national attention. The power of knowing will give black Americans the opportunity to take action and continue the fight for equality between the races.
The current portrayal of blacks in all the different forms of media influences younger generations to believe in and accept that image. For instance the radio, Hip Hop and R&B stations all have a large listening audience but during the hours of 6 am to 10 pm children are very prone to hear the type of music put on play lists and the inappropriate banter. Most of the time it doesn’t bother me but when my younger cousins and their friends are trying to learn lyrics to rude songs and hear Dj’s talking about sexual tendencies I get upset and outraged. What is not understood is that black people don’t have to accept the behavior and stereotypes of always being vulgar and rude. By complaining to the FCC and calling the radio stations to complain of inappropriate banter during prime hours. For instance, the popular radio station in New York, Hot 97, had an annual contest called “Smack Fest.” Basically Black females would come on the show and take turns smacking one another and the first women to bleed would lose and the winner would get $500. Thanks to the local community for taking a stand and protesting their outrage the show was pulled off the air. What makes this disrespect of black women so unbearable was that it was blacks watching and cheering on other blacks. However when looked at closely the idea had to be approved by someone. Some manager or someone of high authority