The Racial Divide: Our Media and Society

[Anonymous]

There is an evident divide in even today's society where race is a factor. I have realized that many people who are of any other race than white (this includes dutch, Finnish, etc.) may at times feel inferior among those who are white. The history that we all know about has not dissolved and it is shown in the dramatic contrast of air and confidence we see amongst different races. If you are black you have to justify yourself and show that you are not like the stereotypes that the white dominant government feeds every race.

When a black individual grows up see that they are under represented and that Nicki Minaj and Wiz Khalifa are the the only rich and prideful individuals in media they thrive to be like them, talking perhaps in a less dignified manner. While white children grow up seeing that they can literally be anything. There are no barriers for them, they can picture being a success like the many roles people who look like them portray.

If you do not have vocal talents or an athletic talent and you are a black kid then many of your potential role models and examples just went out the window. While white children can always change the channel and see a business man or a trusted lobbyist or dignified lawyer (man or women) who looks like them, envisioning early possibilities for their futures.

It is no wonder that white children grow up and throughout their lives feel comfortable and as though the world is theirs because in many ways it is, it is centered around them. They do not have to see people fight for them to be portrayed appropriately or adequately. The good characters in movies and shows, the characters who make you laugh, who make you cry, who are in your trivia set, they dominantly look like you so of course you would feel comfortable stepping out into the world and achieving what is the norm for your race.

The norm is the opposite for other races, we have to fight every day to be looked at as not a criminal, as not an enemy, as not a threat, but instead as a part of this world and the many countries we inhabit.

When black people or other races besides white are portrayed in the media, we are the background people, the shadows, the followers, that girl you just brung along to look good or to degrade or do your bidding. Commercial included to make it not a racial lawsuit.

The media is brainwashing us.

[cherryphi82]

I agree with you. This is a great take. Thanks for throwing some education into GAG.

[myTake Owner]

Thanks.

[fredrick89]

thanks.

[myTake Owner]

If I could at least make a voice and provide the representation for one person out of a million I am satisfied. If I read this written by somebody else I would say the same thing as this dude. I am not blind to reality, sorry? Yeah I can't be silent I have to be blunt #Eminemgotbacklashtoo but he spoke his views and others whom agree with him exist. Many other examples. I don't have time for y'all salty comments, honestly MLK did not go without pushback. If the road was easy it would not be worth talking about. I gave you proof I voiced my opinion, that is what a MyTake is about, mission accomplished. Congrats bro on your mho, let these haters hate because that is what haters do. But the truth is before them, some just can't take it, rather believe the world is perfect and equal, but it ain't.

[hellionthesagereborn]

Completely and totally inaccurate and I didn't even get past the second paragraph. The reason why blacks are "underrepresented" is because they make up less then 13% of the population. For instance at the Oscars when every one was talking about how racist and evil "white" Hollywood was because they felt blacks where underrepresented in the nominations, that was racism on the part of blacks towards whites because 14% of the nominees where black meaning they where technically speaking OVER represented.

Then you have the claim that their are no successful black people, again, that's moronically stupid to such an extreme degree I cannot even begin to list a quarter of all of the successful minorities in the US. But to start, lets go with blacks like Larry Elder, Thomas Sowell, 90% of all athletes, Oprah, Maxine Waters, Al Sharpton, Tyra Banks, Selena Williams, Viola Davis, Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, Will Smith, Jada Pinket Smith, and that's just off the top of my head. So the claim that they are not successful is absurd. Especially when you consider the fact that out of the top five most successful groups in the US, you know the white racist nation, not one of them is actually white. Its made up of Indians, Asians and Jews. African immigrants out earn most whites with Nigerians and ghanian americans making between 65 to over 70 thousand a year vs. Irish americans who make 60, Dutch who make 53, and French who make 52 thousand a year. In fact Pakistani americans out earn most white ethnic groups as well.

The only way you come to the conclusion that their is discrimination is by ignoring facts, you live in a nation where 63% of the population is white ergo the vast majority of people your going to see are going to be white. The vast majority of people your going to see are also going to see that have money are going to be white because again, they are the largest group and thus you will have a much better chance of running into those people. What people don't talk about is that whites are also the poorest numerically speaking, far out pacing any other group because again, they are the majority.

No one is teaching blacks to hate themselves because they happen to show more attractive people, its because their are more white people. That's like me going to japan and bitching and complaining about discrimination because they don't have enough white people on TV, they don't have enough rich white people etc.

[Anonymous]

i don't know about all that, honestly. i do agree with it to a certain point, but i don't believe anyone can say where that point ends exactly. i grew up under the poverty line as one of the tan kids with brown hair and eyes with the same clothes a few times a week, and i actually remember a group of kids in elementary who looked similar asking me if i was puerto rician or Spanish like them saying that i could sit with them if i was. i refused though, not just because i was more native American than anything but because i didn't want to hang out for such a stupid reason. not everyone did that but it went on in middle and high school, the grouping factor i mean. i'm not black or like them but, they aren't the only people who get shit. everyone gets shit at some point for something or the other. some worse than others, of course. but that's just a small example of not giving into it. i agree not everything you're saying is wrong, but i think your way of going about it shows more than just objectivity behind it. and i think, despite your examples which i can't completely denounce, we aren't all "brainwashed" and can decide for ourselves what our own limits are

[loveArt1983]

I have question: during these 'protesting they have by media' why don't they 'ever' do something 'good' for their communities and improve upon the neighborhood instead and provide better jobs for those people living in poorer neighborhoods instead offering them jobs to run around to cause havoc and chaos why not go into their neighborhoods to actually make it better? I find that rather odd it never happens and no changes are made to make simple families who want to prosper and dream bigger then most of us realize we know they are dreamers too but they get rationalize by people who feel they aren't I don't like it. Since when have poor people and homeless be considered lesser in value then those who entered our country illegally get better stuff and better things I find that rather strange don't you. Leftist and some of people who believe we should be fighting for their liberties should get wake up call realize the future of America is calling the people who left behind and never rally with they might want to ask where are you? Because those illegals who begin to think for themselves will get same wake up call as everyone else did. Who really on their side? I don't for minute think its leftist.

[Being_a_good_Indian]

Xenophobia is the irrational fear and distrust of that which is perceived to be foreign or strange. Lots of Xenophobic Media Houses are manipulating the facts and hiding the Reality.

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#MediaWantTRP

I had written few Takes on GirlsAskGuys. India is safe for women.

A Closer Look at Rape Culture in India from the Perspective of Indian Man ↗

Indophobia - Anti-Indian Sentiment ↗

The Inspirational Journey of Anok Yai ↗

[Gray-Wisp]

In my experience I've come across some great black politicians like Clarence Thomas & Dr. Ben Carson. There's also great black actors like Will Smith & Whoopi Goldberg. Part of my exposure may be because my family is racially diverse.
Also, comparing a 2010 census by race to a 2016 actors by race resulted in a tenth of a percent difference when comparing blacks. So, it seems that if there is an issue it's much more so the media since race to actor ratio is spot on.
You said blacks are treated like the enemy but when it comes to crimes "The offending rate for blacks was almost 8 times higher than whites, and the victim rate 6 times higher. Most homicides were intraracial, with 84% of white victims killed by whites, and 93% of black victims killed by blacks." Of course most black people are law abiding citizens just like white people but statistically there is a huge gap.
To sum it up if you want to improve things try to reduce crime in black communities & judge things by their quality and not the color of the makers skin. Most people judge fairly even though some will discriminate, I've seen it done to whites and blacks.

[Other_Tommy_Wiseau]

LOL! This nigga said Ben Carson 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[Gray-Wisp]

@Other_Tommy_Wiseau He was the only one who took education seriously and had a solid understanding of how to improve it. It's a shame he didn't win. And yeah he's probably more famous for separating those twins but he'd make a 10/10 president.

[Other_Tommy_Wiseau]

This dude was a neurosurgeon. not a teacher, not a politician; a neurosurgeon; scratch that, he is a politician. Just yesterday, this tone deaf moron, who is in charge of hud mind you, just cancelled (basically after being made public) a 31k tab on dining room furniture for his office... a dude in charge of housing and urban development spending 31k on dining room furniture... let that sink in. Moreover, him as a political figure, especially a black 1 is questionable. Not because he runs republican, but because of his backing for trump and part of his administration, which has been pretty incompetent (although, it’s more likely a strict political move) and the entire black caucus admitted they didn’t know who he was

[Gray-Wisp]

@Other_Tommy_Wiseau According to the one I read there was a lot of miscommunication. It's not like he got anyone killed or leaked classified information. Sure, you can "Well if he had the opportunity to he would have!" but find someone who has never been in a situation where there was a lot of miscommunication that ended poorly. You can say this stuff about anyone who has ever made a mistake. Besides, in the end it's about who might be in the position if the other side won... hence the "getting people killed" & "leaking classified information" becomes relevant.

[Other_Tommy_Wiseau]

Well, obviously no ones getting killed. But it’s also 31k on something like a 160k+ tab. I’m also rarely in the business of denying flat out what people say, especially when they delegate to others, but this is specifically his department, will directly affect his office space and already ordered on the books. When something like that already gets ordered while simultaneously the department is on the table for budget cuts in February. I do think it’s appropriate to raise some questions, but I digress.

I don’t understand what the shit you’re talking about in the last 2 sentences...

[WalterRadio]

No role models? There are some. But they are usually shunned because they represent hard work, achievement, and playing by the rules.

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[VonDamme]

lol Ben Carson wasn't shunned until he said a bunch of crazy shit during the election. I used to learn about him for black history month.

[villageidiot]

Oh right. That's why they're despised. It has nothing to do with them being right wing demagogues.

[WalterRadio]

@villageidiot
Most hard working, accomplished, successful black people I know are Republicans.

[RolandCuthbert]

But the truth is that there is "Black" media. It may not be very good. But it exists. "Black Panther" has cleared 700 million dollars worldwide. Before it is said and done, it will probably cross the 1 billion dollar mark. BET although not very good has some shows dedicated to positive "Black" imagery. There are shows in the mainstream like "Blackish", "Scandal", etc. that have positive characters for "Black" people.

For most of the mainstream, perhaps you are right. But that is changing and if "Black" people really wanted to, "we" could force more changes at BET. TVOne is an excellent cable channel. I don't know if you get it in your area. You probably would have to pick a premium cable package if you wanted to have it as a choice.

But the thing is, there are many other non-"White" groups much worse off than "us" when it comes to media imagery. While Latinos are probably better, think about Asians or American Indians.

They are screwed.

[VonDamme]

Minorities should be working together in general. This surge in "Black media" is still relatively new to be fair. I would definitely enjoy seeing more diversity in general though.

[RolandCuthbert]

@VonDamme I would too. But we need to support artists who are brave enough to tell their own diverse stories. Smoke Signals is brilliant.

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Cyborg She is actually available online.

upload.wikimedia.org/.../Cyborg_She.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npiopOXehKM

[VonDamme]

Well I'll look into watching all of these. I'm down to support talent period. There was a movie that won a sun dance film award that I traveled to D. C. Just to support. The whole main cast was Black and Korean. It's called "Gook the Film". I know. That's a slur. The writers and such are all East Asian (mostly Korean, but I'm not sure if they were all Korean) and they explained the reason for naming it that. It's actually kind of explained in the movie so I won't spoil it. You should try to find a way to view it if you can.

[RolandCuthbert]

@VonDamme Thanks for that. I will look it up.

I assume you have already seen "Catfish in Black Bean Sauce"?

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[RolandCuthbert]

@VonDamme Oh and if you get the chance, support Mazelee! Subscribe to her youtube channel.

Thanks!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAiuvdUzMCU&t=286s

[Nivinxus]

@VonDamme I really like the idea (I'm Asian) of working together with other minorities in the media (after all I'm trying to setup a podcast/show) so I'm hoping to find other minorities who may be interested in that kind of thing. Sadly, since I live in Australia, most minorities tend to be more interested in other fields than media let alone podcasting so yeah there are some issues here and there.

[VonDamme]

@Nivinxus You totally should start your own podcast. Even if you can only put out a show 2 times a month. Just do it. Send me the link I'll listen to it when I drive.

[RolandCuthbert]

@Nivinxus I would support you! And I would give you free advertising on my social media. I know a bunch of Asians in the States. Some would be interested. I used to participate in an online forum, "the ModelMinority".

[Nivinxus]

@VonDamme @RolandCuthbert , Thanks for the cheer guys. First episode will be uploaded around Mid-March when my co-hosts and I get the hand of the gear and software. Look forward to it!

[RolandCuthbert]

@Nivinxus Good luck!!!

[Anonymous]

As a black woman I dont understand why we have to look up to people in the media as our role models?

I look up to great people I see in my real life and are doing awesome things with their life. People that look like me that I can actually relate to.

[Opinion Owner]

But I get it the media is used a mass mind control mechanism and propaganda. Knowing this, I just choose not follow the media and look at reality. But the majority of people do look up to the media and celebrities.

[myTake Owner]

You share good points, people can find role models in reality, stick to that you are correct and fortunate. Thank you for commenting and reading MyTake, I wish I would have read all my comments I would have gave you a mho. I only read like 10% or so of the comments for this one because the first few were too negative and I did not want them in my mind.

[Opinion Owner]

Thank you very much, I really appreciate it. :)

[myTake Owner]

no problem

[CHARismatic110]

While I do feel that there is a racial divide and that the media plays a major role in it, I think it's a lot deeper than what roles blacks and whites are being portrayed in. A lot of of has to do with what news is being shown and manipulated to the public.

[NotYours]

I think it’s wrong to narrow down black role models to two people in the same field. Have you ever heard of Thurgood Marshall? Samuel Jackson? Eddie Murphy? Barack Obama? Jennifer Hudson? There are so many more black leaders in the world today, and I agree that it isn’t equal to those who are white, but that’s the change that is happening now. The role models are multiplying because they keep inspiring.

I think that even though the media decides what it wants the world to see, we all have the capabilities to look for ourselves online and research what we believe and our own thoughts. That way, we can find role models better tailored to our viewpoints, and we can become those role models.

[SweetHeartWoman75]

I realize in a lot of places this is an issue, the racial divide is obviously out there in media. However what gets me is that the media feeds this, allows this and does nothing to change it... I am mixed, honestly I am ashamed of all races for allowing such a divide to exist in any aspect... reality is we are all human, we are a diverse world of human beings with different cultures, beliefs, ideas, feelings, ethnicity, upbringings... all diverse... yet that diversity is what makes each person an individual and as such each individual unique and important... I enjoyed your take and I do agree with you... however what needs to be done is to start the bridge to break the divide... the more people focus on that divide the wider it becomes... the more people ignore the fact that it exists and do nothing to bridge it the hate will continue and consume the world as it has for years

[Red-Blaze]

I keep hearing that kids see the TV and see how there skin is not shown as these or that
And I really need to ask, do they think that because adults make them think that
When I was young I really don't remember looking at the TV and ever thinking "That one is white like me, and that is black unlike me" I just looked at there characters

There so many cases where people show that kids really don't give a flying fish on what is someone skin color, at farthers they are intrigue by it wondering why and what and so on

But there is no black is lower white is ruling or anything like that in there mind

Till they get that fed to them by the adults
And that works in more then one way, its not coming just from the "Suprime" white but also from the "lower" community
As they keep asking "Why are we lower?"
I honestly wonder if we take pile of kids of all colors, put them on an island and grow them without any adults, will they grow any care for skin color? or will they just not see it?

[TripleAce]

Ya lol
Ever see reality shows. And how they cast 2 black people or at least 1 just so they don't cause controversy

It seems like it doesn't exist. But im sure something is there

When you watch shows like the bachelor for example. I kmow silly example but not really because social subtle situations is where rascim strongly exists. They places where people can't point the finger at you but something seems afoot

Such as dating preferences. Rather racial dating preferences
And as i was saying, the bachelor. Black women never make it far. Like never. Even with a black girl as the bachelorette. She picks a Spanish white looking like guy 😂

[whatthehellwasthat]

I dont think your examples are very fair. You chose to name drop nicki minaj and wiz khalifa because you believe they are negative examples. However, when I think of famous black people they never even cross my mind... Will smith was my first actor crush. The bernie mac show was constantly running on my tv for a long time. Ill watch anything with richard pryor in it. Dave chapelle makes me laugh every single time. There are a million positive examples I can think of.

[JDavid25]

I don't know if there is a million, and for every position representation there is a million more negative than the positive..

[damnwinter]

I never understood why role models have to be of the same race as someone in order for them to be interpreted as such. What's stopping whites from taking blacks as role models and the other way around? To me it's a pretty weird concept and I don't know why so many people stick to it.

[VonDamme]

I agree with you on some level. Have you seen the show Master of None? They touch on a lot of great topics, but what I'm thinking of specifically is when someone tells Dev (Aziz Ansari's character) that they can't have more then one Indian actor on a show because "The world isn't ready for that yet" Sometimes things like that happen where they allow a certain number of minorities (and they just lump everyone together) into something (not just a tv show), but they never think "Well we can only have this many white people."

So, even if I grow up thinking I can be like anyone or anything, there comes a point where someone laughs and says "Did you really think that?" and perhaps (I'm not saying this is a fact. I don't know) this is a more common experience for minorities? Maybe? I'm not sure.

[Omega_brie]

"I never understood why role models have to be of the same race"

Because like it or not, associations matter.

Also, imagine having a role model and then finding out that he wanted to exterminate your entire ethnic group. lmao.

[VonDamme]

@Omega_brie That's why I said on some level

[damnwinter]

@Omega_brie As long as one's role model is not Columbus or Hitler! :) I mean, it's highly unlikely that a Jewish person will take ol' Adolf as a role model (unfortunately, enough non-Jewish people do it already) :) But does that mean the person must shun all Germans for eternity? I do get what you're saying, but there are nuances to it :)

[damnwinter]

@VonDamme Yes, I understand what you're saying, thanks for not taking what I said the wrong way (I know it can be easily misinterpreted)

[Omega_brie]

@damnwinter

yes, columbus and hitler were the only racist people in history.

The truth is that whites don't want to mix with POCs. So by extension, POCs should have their own role models. Why you'd want a role model who is against your own self interest is beyond me.

[damnwinter]

@Omega_brie Oh, come on, don't be like that. Obviously, I just gave 2 random examples for the sake of making a point. If that's how it's gonna be, this conversation will not be productive.

[myTake Owner]

Agree to disagree, I get notifications every time you message one another on here and I cannot undo it because then I will not receive notifications when people share their own individual opinions vs. constantly talking on one person's comment. You both might be right, you both might be wrong but who's to say, let it rest, let it be.

[Anonymous]

An overlooked problem here is there is a very different perspective. Black americans specifically overwhelmingly see the world through the lens of race, they place higher importance on an individual looking like them precisely because they reinterate the significance.

Growing up, I wanted to be like the rock, he is mixed and I never viewed his race as a contributing factor to my desire to follow him. I never looked at it through the lens of race. I seen a character I liked that I Ifelt was a positive influence that I wanted to follow. The difference is you feel restrained precisely because black people have culturally placed a higher significance on being black and CHOOSE to aim for entertainment jobs only whether it be in movies, tv or music.

[Celtero]

How come we can't thumbs down a question or myTake?

More bullshit, "poor black people!" Yeah? Well what the FUCK do you want me to do about it? I treat blacks the exact same as I'd treat white people. It's up to them to branch out into other industries. Affirmative action can't solve every inequality.

[vishna]

a bit off topic but When black students are asked if they got into college because of hard work and grades or affirmative action. bruhhhhhhh. Has a white person EVER been asked that.
I get what you're saying about media and society and stereotypes.
I'm so sick of the 'funny' black friend, the sassy black woman, etc where are smart, laid back, lol or boring/serious black people... hint everywhere in real life.

[zagor]

WTF? Whatever makes you think white children grow up to feel comfortable and as if the world is theirs? A LOT of white kids grow up in poverty, in messed up families, unstable environments. You are apparently not white, and have a very distorted view of what it can be like growing up white in (I assume) America.

[InTimoreDei]

They leave that information out because it doesn't fit their agenda.

[myTake Owner]

It is called MyTake not YourTake, what did you all expect? Many races get black people all wrong in their depiction, think we are a stereotypical type of people. I see this all the time and many black people and there is no reconciliation for it or accurate representation. This is why I am writing this type of thing for awareness and opening of minds, but I guess somethings are just too true for some people. Want it to be like how all the other media is, well the world is not perfect and happy. Don't respond to my reply, you won't get an answer because there is none in this world.

[InTimoreDei]

I'm Irish and get stereotyped all the time. So, your point? Blacks aren't the only people that get stereotyped lol.

[zagor]

OK, fair enough, so you decided to get white people all wrong in your depiction, to balance things out...

[taleswapper]

The problem is all you've done is flip it. Being closed-minded and black is just as bad as being close-minded and white. Worse, you claim to know better, but you do it anyway.

[villageidiot]

It was a very good take. Now stop arguing with that moron. It is beneath you

[villageidiot]

@InTimoreDei THats funny. Im Irish and I can' ever remember being stereotyped.

[villageidiot]

You might try to reread it and maybe you won't make such an ass of yourself.

[zagor]

And you lost me with those commercials. What is the point of including those?

[proudebritishbulldog]

What a load of bollocks. I'm white and I'm not rich and sucessful, but loads of black people are. Why did they hire Shafali Oza to read the weather instead of a white man? Afirmative action. Why is Naga Muncheti alowed to do the morrning news? I could read an autoquew, but no, they hire a coloured bint. They let wogs go to universirry with less A Levels because they're not as smart as us and wouldn't get in if they needed the same exam qulifications. How come there's no afirmative action for white people in things wogs are naturaly better at like sport. I recon in the 100 metres all white runers should get a 10 metre head start and in boxing the black guy should close his eyes and let the white guy ge one free punch in at the start of every round.