SHOULD BLACK AMERICANS HOLD MASS MEDIA ACCOUNTABLE FOR CULTURALLY POSITIVITY?

BEYOND EMPIRE AND SCANDAL:  HOW IMPORTANT IS  THE CULTURAL  ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE MEDIA TO THE BLACK COMMUNITY

I have never watched a single episode of Empire or Scandal so I do not have any personal opinion of either.  I have no soliloquy to deliver regarding the quality of either production. However, I do understand the power of media to shape the opinions of the masses, (which is why it is commonly called “Mass Media” in the first place), and I understand it is a powerful tool, perhaps the most powerful tool in the world today.  Therefore any programming with such mass appeal must be carefully scrutinized especially when it informs a population whose image has been so violently perverted as has the black American community. So I offer an objective litmus test for this and any other mass media production that might purport to represent my community as is my right.  I challenge you to subject any programming to these simple tests of cultural media worthiness:

1. Does the programming promote healthy images of family and community offering solutions to today’s social challenges?

2. Does the programming promote respectable and realistic images of black men and women that will support question #1 by providing positive role models for all viewers?

3. Does the programming promote positive ethical and moral values? Does it reflect the inclusionary vision of America in the 21st century?

4. Is the programming well written, well-acted, well produced and aside from its popularity is it a truly fine and groundbreaking production the quality of which will be celebrated years in the future?

We, meaning the black American community and the general community of conscientious human beings of all races, do have a right to question and challenge the images set before us for our consumption because they do shape public opinion in huge ways and we should question everything. We not only have a right to demand quality and accountability but we also have the right to boycott any mass media production if it fails any or all of the 4 tests I have listed above. We should not support any production that does not pass each of the four tests with at least an 85% - 95% grade. I say this because the black American community has suffered hundreds of years of abuse and can suffer no more! It does suffer still and is disintegrating beneath the crush of virulent media poised against us.  This is the time to right all wrongs! I could care less how popular a program is, my only concern is that it is well produced with the best interest of the black American community at the front of its mind!  American businesses have profited from black Americans for hundreds of years so whether any production is particularly lucrative or not is not of my concern.  Does it pass or fail all four tests? If it fails even one then it is a malevolent force to the recovery of the black American community and other communities regardless of race should hold it accountable... thus do I opine...

FIN

BIGDADDY BLUES