< < By Leah Toney "Ignorance i s b l i s s , " says Thomas Gray. What makes this phrase so enticing? It works as a protection mechanism for the heart. This concealment is "bliss." Not entirely understanding something creates holes that are usually filled with falsehoods. These falsehoods can become stereotypes. Stereotypes are a part of everyday life; they only become dangerous when they are broadcast. The way African Americans are represented on television has an extreme effect on the way we are viewed as a race as well as on our success and behavior. Ralph Ellison pointed out, "Movies are not about Blacks, but what Whites think about Blacks." Black directors only make up four percent of the Directors Guild of America, and of the 839 writers employed on prime-time television, only 6.6 percent are Black. h i s means White Americans are directing and writing shows that portray the African-American community. Just how are we portrayed? African Americans commonly play roles as the violent criminal, the mischievous paramour, or the lazy schemer. For the lazy schemer, "Sanford and Son" is a perfect example. Fred Sanford is a lazy old man who allows his son to do the hard work, while he lounges around. Not only that, he refuses to see h im leave and make a life of his own, and manipulates him with fake heart attacks and pleas to his deceased wife. How are Black people represented here? We are lazy, insensitive, and manipulating. For the mischievous paramour, we can look at "Being Mary Jane" starring Gabrielle Union, or "Scandal" starring Kerry Washington. Union is depicted as a scandalous mistress who, although successful in the business world, has terrible morals. "Scandal" has the show's intent in the title. Washington's character is nothing if not a scandal. One would not see Elizabeth Taylor in the same role as Gabrielle Union or Kerry Washington. Taylor was famously cast as Cleopatra. This role was originally considered for Dorothy Dandridge but was given to Taylor so it would be more critically acclaimed. h e i l m was "whitewashed," a term used to describe stopping people from discovering the facts about something. Ignorance is bliss, right? Whitewashing happens frequently in Hollywood, where Black actors are cheated out of powerful, stirring roles. Instead of being the kings and queens, we are servants and slaves, as seen in the movie "Exodus: Gods and Kings." Is it not time for Blacks to be represented in a way that is not average at best? Maybe we can't i x the media but we can change what we tolerate. h i n g s can change when we stand up. h e passive route will not work. African Americans have been terribly represented since "Birth of a Nation" of 1915. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spent his adult life working toward the achievement of his dream. h e sad part is that Dr. King's dream asked for basic rights and privileges. I ask for the same. Why should I not be able to t u rn on my television and see a commanding Black role model? Or go to a movie where there is a triumphant Black hero who does not i t a stereotype? I deserve to see an example of the class and dignity that so many members of my race have. Ignorance is not bliss! Is life blissful for most African-Americans right now? The answer is no. There are more African-American males under the jurisdiction of a federal, state, or local penal system (791,600) than are enrolled in higher education (603,032). What is being created is a race of failures. Does anyone care? I do. I want to see more African Americans in the White House, more African Americans in the school house, more African Americans doing more than selling drugs and going to jail. I don't want to see any more young black men dying at the hands of a police officer, or, worse, at the hands of each other. We can push ourselves to do better. We cannot depend on the media to begin portraying us positively because green has always been the new Black. There needs to be a new Black. So don't spend money on these "White"-washed movies, and especially do not live up to the stereotypes that we see every day. I pledge to live by my words; I pledge to uncover the concealed truth that is 40 SHAKERONLINE.COM | WINTER 2016
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