Misrepresentations of African Americans in the Media
Misrepresentations of African Americans in the Movies It seems that the entertainment industry has helped to shape the way that African Americans are viewed by modern day America. As a white male who has little or no experience within an actual black family unit, I am not sure exactly how accurate media portrayals are. However, I am fully aware of the stereotypes that often plague the African American race. Myths and untruths about the work ethic and sexual ferocity of Black males, the unskilled or careless parenting of Black mothers and fathers, and the general moral deterioration of the Black family as a whole run rampant in today's films, television shows, and other forms of media. Through real life interactions and experience, books and classes, and common sense, I have put these stereotypes to rest for myself. I know that they are not accurate. Unfortunately, there are many who do fall victim to the stereotypes, and there are many more who experience prejudice and pain because of them. After watching some movies that are currently popular, it seems to me that the majority of current films that are aimed at an African American audience fill and support these negative stereotypes of African Americans.
"The adoption (consciously or unconsciously) of the cool pose by an African American male can be thought of as a behavioral manifestation of the degree to which some African American males have become "psychologically mis-oriented or conceptually incarcerated" as a function of their struggle to affirm themselves as men in a culturally oppressive and race-conscious society" (Majors 242). Black parents neglected their children, leaving them home alone and hungry for days on end while they went on drug binges. My family raised me to treat all people equally, and taught acceptance and tolerance. "How High" is only the tip of the iceberg. These films usually star African American actors and actresses, sometimes popular rap stars, and they usually take place in an urban setting. Movies like "How to be a Player", "Friday", and "Baby Boy", among others, portray Black males as extremely sexually aggressive, almost to the point of being predatory or dangerous. Movies like this are telling people that indeed, the images of the "Black Brute", that we have worked so hard to erase from our mind, are in fact accurate. Just like the "cool" actors on the big screen. These stereotypes date all the way back to slavery. Are these movies that misrepresent African Americans being put forth merely under the guise of being "Black Entertainment"? It does not seem totally out of the question that these movies are intended for white America to see and laugh at for all the wrong reasons. In my mind, the Black male was a dangerous thing. Once the men get to Harvard, they are too "stupid" to get through the classes without cheating. this stereotype views the men as being "dogs" by nature, and of course "dogs" can be expected to do anything, especially when it comes to their sexual conduct" (Cheatham 151).
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Acceptance Essays
