Although the United States is one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse nations in the world, film and television images often tell a different story. While improvements have been made over the last several decades in the way African-americans are portrayed in the media, the entertainment industry still has far to go in its attempt to reflect Africans-americans properly.
For instance, in a majority of horror movies, they are usually the first ones slain. This has been a constant argument for quite some time now, but it is indeed a valid complaint. From the lines they are given to the way they act is completely wrong. As anyone knows, when faced with a potentially dangerous or lethal situation, the last thing an African-americans individual would do is investigate and ask questions, but nevertheless, in the movies not only are they curious to explore, they"re also usually not even smart enough to run as fast as possible out of harm's way.
Horror movies is not the only genre that has the problem of misrepresentation of blacks. One need only turn on the television and tune to public television stations like Warner Brothers, Fox, or UPN to see black actors still parading around portraying fools that often find themselves in unfavorable situations. It is critical to look at the past to understand the fact that African-Americans have always been exhibited in an unfavorable manner.
Again Hollywood adjusted by creating sitcoms that showcased upper-middle class African Americans. "The Cosby Show," a nationwide hit for many seasons to come, provided a temporary, acceptable and non-threatening image of blacks. There is focus on urban talk shows, such as "Jerry Springer" and "Rikki Lake," which often present troubled "minorities" who foolishly play to the camera for the entertainment of television audiences. These shows give the idea, fabricated or not, that these "minorities," especially African-Americans, are lazy, undisciplined, self-defeating individuals who, for one reason or another, need to be displayed on national television to aid them in to becoming better people.
