Blacks/African Americans: what do you think of the media's portrayal of the black community?

Question

Being white and having grown up in a predominantly white community, I don't know a lot about these things; I'm just curious to see what you think. This isn't meant to be racist in any way.

I don't watch BET a lot, but when I do, just about every music video I've seen has either objectified or shown scantily clad women, and promoted "gangster" activity and violence. I know that not all of them are like this, but I was just wondering what your reaction is when you do see a music video like that. Do you get angry, do you think it is okay, or do you react in another way? Thanks in advance for your responses.

Answer 1

FINALLY ,. SOMEONE ELSE SEES THIS. I HATE IT. THEY SHOULDNT BE ACTING LIKE THAT BUT THEY DO I CONSIDER MY SELF BLACK AND HONESTLY I DO FEEL DISRESPECTED.ITS NOT OK TO SAY THE N WORD EITHER BUT WE DO AND THAT WAS A NAME GIVEN TO OUR PEOPLE TO SEPARATE US AND LOWER OUR DIGNITY ,YET EVERYTIME I TURN ON THE RADIO OR TV ,THATS ALL I HEAR. YOU WOULD THINK WE WOULD STOP USING IT ON EACH OTHER.SOME PEOPLE BLACK OR WHITE WILL JUST ALWAYS BE IGNORANT

Answer 2

I like knowing that there are issues and faces that I can relate to. But I don't like alot of the gangster/video girl portrayal stuff. I saw something about the media the other day that I thought was interesting. The people that created this form of media, exaggerate things they think relate to their audience, and therefore the audience begins to think that's how it should be, so they start acting like what they see on TV. It's a snowball effect and it only gets worse and worse. Black youth are being brainwashed.

Answer 3

I don't care for the way they refer to and portray women. They just make black women look like cheap, easy, sex toys with no self-respect. It's annoying because some people begin to view black women as if most of us act like those video girls or 'hoes' as they call them. I don't care for the promotion of the gangster lifestyle, either. Therefore, I don't watch BET (or MTV).

There was a documentary on VH1 on those video girls and the things that some of them do to get in these videos. Some of them hate the way they are treated, but, they do it anyway. Still, it doesn't matter how much they're paid.. you shouldn't lose your self-respect for money.

Answer 4

not to sound rude or anything....but why are you watching BET?
Anyway, I don't like how we are potrayed. It's funny how black people potray themselves as idiots. I like rap music. I don't like RAPPERS. Rappers only curse, use the N word, and fight. They're definetly not good role models.

I hate seeing stereotypes on shows. I hate seing a black person on a show going "yo-yo-yo". I hate seeing black people with grills in their mouth and so much jewlery on, i think they might fall. But those are stereotypes. Stereotypes will always be in the media. Blonds will always be dumb. Mexicans will always be poor. Black people will always sell crack.
But that' s not how it really is! Yes, some do do those things, but you can't judge a whole group of people because of what you saw on TV. I wish rappers would stop doing idiotic stuff!! I wish people wouldn't see rappers and go "so thats how black people are!". Just remember it's TV for goodness sakes!

I love seeing Oprah on TV. It proves all racists wrong.

I have never used the N word. I do not curse at all. I do not steal. I do not live in the ghetto. I make good grades. I wear nice, unrevealing clothing. I prefer to say "floor" instead of "flo". I am black.

Answer 5

well in general i think that the media portrays minorities not just blacks in a negative manner. and the situation has gotten so out of control that even those in the black community fall prey to this mentality. And in general i don't like how women appear in videos or the image that it portrays to our young girls out there. a big problem now a days is that the so called gangster lifestyle is worshiped and not really shown to be what it really is. and not all blacks or minorities live that way. and not everyone that is poor and lives in the projects is that way either. when we stereotype people bad things can happen.

Answer 6

Its not the media's portrayal, it is how a group-allbeit small-wants to be portrayed as gangster life makes money. Most hippity hopsters of N. America are not a member of this racial group. Inthis way, the community has extensive cultural reach into another area.

Peace

Answer 7

I don't think women should be protrayed they way they are in videos. I don't get angry angry but I think it's degrading to black women, my mom does not even allow me to really watch music videos but I end up doing it anyway lol.

And by the way this is a good question and I'm glad that you pointed this out.

Answer 8

Only a minority of a minority acts like those in music video's. Blacks are always shown as the thug, criminal, robber, uneducated person, scared, over cocky, loud, blaming others for there problems, self hating, getting drunk, clubbing, doing and selling drugs, pimping, and busting caps up peoples.....

And you expect me to think all that crap is cool? Yoz wantz mesz to talkz likez thatz? Do you think my mom would dress like that going to work? Or my dad dress and act like that?

That is why I want a real black channel that shows how real blacks act. But it won't make it. Want to know why? Cause it is just boring usual life. Eat work watch tv and go to sleep. That is why they have to make things up and show us a those negative things you describe.

Answer 9

Well i also grew up in a predominantly white community and dont watch BET and when i see that stuff, I don't care and change the channel. I don't care to see booty dancing and girls that are half naked.

Answer 10

i think its sad to say that the majority of blacks try to think that life should be the way mtv, or bet portrays life. but i know there r a few decent african americans. this also goes for any other race