Distorted images and the African American Community

Monday, January 16, 2012 commemorated Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his contribution to American society. Dr. King’s commitment to non-violence transformed the United States of America. His contribution liberated the African American community through civil rights legislation. The civil rights movement paved the way for America’s first African American President, Barack Obama. Although African Americans have made strides toward success in the last fifty years, television depiction of African Americans has deteriorated.

In the 1960s African Americans were pursuing civil rights and equal freedoms under the law. These freedoms included the right to vote, eat in unsegregated restaurants, ride unsegregated buses, and attend unsegregated schools. A number of television news programs documented the plight of poor people and the movement’s demonstrators, who were led by more educated people. Between the images of poor people being mauled by police K-9 dogs and water from fire hoses, there were images of young African American college students, pastors, doctors, and lawyers. The era of television was littered with African Americans wearing suits and conservative attire. Men and women were distinguished, noble and honorable; they were Freedom Fighters.
The present-day image of African Americans is opposite; no longer are African Americans viewed as distinguished civil rights equality seekers. Although we are in an election year and new voting rights requirements are being promoted, television is overwhelmingly displaying African American men as criminals, sports figures, or entertainers– all pursuing materialism. Gone are the images of educated distinguished men, such as Harry Belafonte, a multiple award-winning actor and singer who is extremely active in the civil rights movement. Bill Cosby, an award-winning actor and comedian, was dissatisfied with the way minorities were portrayed on television, so he produced a television series called A Different World (1987).  Sidney Poitier, an Oscar award-winning actor, turned down roles he considered demeaning.

The last image I remember of an African American intellectual was Steve Urkel, a character on Family Matters in the 1990s. Urkel was a science-loving inventor and mathematical genius. In 2012, Urkel’s image has disappeared and has been overwhelmingly replaced by a false image of uneducated and unemployable black males. African American females are exploited as highly sexual, seductive, loud, and angry. Some in the media are trying to portray the angry black woman image on the First Lady, Michelle Obama.  The distinguished “Freedom Fighters” image has been replaced with gun loving, drug dealing, pants sagging, tattooed and threatening trouble-makers.

Going forward, African American television producers and network executives must become consciously aware of the images produced.  Currently, we have a major cable network owned by an African American female and there are two more networks launching by African American males.  If the current trend continues, the image of African Americans will continue to be diminished. However, I am hopeful that we will begin to see a change in the near future.

Are your employees’ tattoos turning away business?

Many of today’s marketing is based on exotic lifestyles which include Tattoos. As our young people embark on a path of freedom, many make the decision to get tattooed, but they do not think about the effect a tattoo may have on their job prospects.

This is post is not intended to bash tattoos, as I have a few myself; but this is a post to get employers to take the time and discuss or create a dialog about tattoos with their employees.

CNN reported that 36% of all American ages 18 to 29 have at least one tattoo.

What employers and their staff members must be mindful of is where that tattoo is placed and if it can be considered offensive by customers.

For instance, would your customer feel comfortable making their bank deposit to someone with a spider web tattooed across their hand?

Business owners must look at their customer base and decide if they will be a moderate or a conservative organization, when it comes to tattoos.

Business Mentors

The Dessausure Law Firm at 1928 Barnwell Street, Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 771-0042, mentored 3 students this summer. The ages ranged from 16, 18, to 21. Business Leaders Youth Alliance congratulates the law firm for their outstanding job with these students in 2011.

BLYA Featured in the Clarendon Citizens Newspaper: See story click here

Motivating Monday: You can not take back what you put out in social media. Do not let something you put out in a moment stop you in the future. Character! Sometimes things are best when kept inside your mind.

Spent the day with my buddy Aaron J Nelson. We went to see Battle Los Angles. I really enjoyed the movie. Thanks AJ for hanging with me. I had fun! And thanks Monica Murdaugh for letting us hang.