Resist and Change: Alternatives to the Norm

The truth is Media is dominated by images of white privilege with little outlet for people of color to get accurate representation. Because it has become clear people are being influenced by what they see on T.V. isn't time consumers demand more from it? Isn't it time change be made to those outlets who reinforce the racial binary and promote the underrepresention of people of color in media be held accountable for the damaging stereotypes they reinforce?

A study by the University of Michigan found:

• "TV viewing among kids is at an eight-year high. On average, children ages 2-5 spend 32 hours a week in front of a TV—watching television, DVDs, DVR and videos, and using a game console. Kids ages 6-11 spend about 28 hours a week in front of the TV. The vast majority of this viewing (97%) is of live TV" (http://www.med.umich.edu/yourchild/topics/tv.htm)

Yet despite the diverse place the United States has become, representation of such diversity is not apparent in media. This article by ABC news shows interesting paradigms on the underrepresented minority in media http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Stossel/story?id=2412723&page=1

Comedians often use "humor" to reinforce racial stereotypes. This racial stereotype reinforcement is rarely acknowledged because it is viewed as "entertainment" and "funny."

• Dave Chappelle
• George Lopez
• Jay Leno
• Conan O'brien
• Ari Shaffir (aka "the Amazing Racist")

Ari Shaffir aka "the Amazing Racist" has been posing videos on YouTube portraying his racist views and activities. Here is an example of one of his videos:

His videos often get over 5 million views and are extremely offensive, yet YouTube continues to allow these videos to be posted.

As a woman of color, and as a consumer of television and other forms of media, I expect representation. Since its seems impossible for a television show to be made about a woman of color, going to college and being effected by messages in media, I have to look for ways to voice my concern and make others aware of the racial binary media creates and continually reinforces.

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